That is how lengthy it has been — a full 1,340 days now — since the latest time they handled their followers to a victory on dwelling turf, courting again to Oct. 12, 2019.
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A lot for guaranteeing a win.
The one factor the Edmonton Elks managed to ensure of whereas opening the season with a 17-13 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Commonwealth Stadium on Sunday is their Canadian Soccer League report 18-game dwelling dropping streak (the equal of a complete regular-season schedule) will span no less than components of 5 years and 4 seasons.
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That’s how lengthy it has been — a full 1,340 days now — since the latest time they handled their followers to a victory on dwelling turf, courting again to Oct. 12, 2019.
Evidently, the very last thing they needed was to start a contemporary begin to a brand new season by ending one yard shy (thrice in a row). However the good factor for the Elks is that 18th one is the one one which issues proper now within the standings, as 0-1 is hardly insurmountable.
Listed below are 5 components to think about heading into Week 2:
1. QB, OR NOT QB?
Taylor Cornelius fell to 4-17 as a starter in inexperienced and gold, barely finishing half his passes (13-of-25) for 202 yards, nearly all of which got here on a 102-yard reference to shiny new receiver Eugene Lewis for a second-quarter landing.
In any other case, the quarterback who re-signed for large cash within the low season left so much out on the sector, together with factors and questions as to his effectiveness.
“He didn’t play very properly, he is aware of it,” Elks head coach and common supervisor Chris Jones mentioned. “It’s one of many worst video games that he’s performed.”
On the similar time, how a lot of the blame falls on Cornelius for Saskatchewan getting strain all evening by solely speeding 4, leaving them free to constantly drop again eight into protection?
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2. LOCKED DOWN
As dangerous because the Elks beginning quarterback performed, the ineffectiveness of their backup on brief yardage was what made the distinction on this one.
Kai Locksley entered the common season having simply been promoted from third string to second, based mostly on his efficiency within the pre-season. And the factor that made him stick, apart from a versatility that noticed him begin video games at slotback in his rookie season final yr, was his reward for making short-yardage good points.
Solely, somebody forgot to inform the Roughriders defence, who stood him up thrice in a row on the one yard-line within the dying minutes, stopping the go-ahead landing and sending the group dwelling dissatisfied.
“I’m unsure what occurred, actually,” mentioned Cornelius, who was watching from the sideline. “However three tries down there, often 10 occasions out of 10 he’s getting it, for certain.”
3. TERRIFIC TURNOUT
Talking of crowd, the Elks actually couldn’t have requested for a a lot better one, asserting 32,233 within the stands that made for the biggest attendance at a season-opener Commonwealth has seen since 2013.
Positive, a few of them left their seats early with a view to beat the push as a substitute of sticking it out till the bitter finish, but it surely nonetheless counts as the primary time the Elks have been in a position to announce 30,000-plus because the 2021 Labour Day Rematch.
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The one query is what number of of them bought the guaranteed-win ticket that can welcome them again June 25 for the Toronto Argonauts? (Yep, one ot
her 5 p.m. Sunday kickoff).
4. TOUCHDOWN TIME
Eugene Lewis wasted little time exhibiting his new fan base why he arrived with all of the hype in free company.
The reigning East Division Most Excellent Participant climbed the ladder to pluck the ball out of the air earlier than leaving the defender in his wake and waltzing in for a 102-yard landing to go forward 10-7 within the second quarter.
In associated information, Lewis additionally recorded his first 100-yard recreation in inexperienced and gold …
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Commonwealth curse continues as Edmonton Elks drop 18th straight
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Lanny McDonald’s exceptional season, 40 years on: ‘Sixty-six objectives … Unimaginable, isn’t it?’
5. TWO-FOR-ONE
Elks defensive standout Jake Ceresna confirmed he’s onboard with a everlasting place swap from defensive deal with outdoors to defensive finish by arising along with his first of what he hopes to be many sacks on the season.
The all-star go rusher tracked down Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris late within the first quarter, earlier than mowing down a second physique with an ensuing celebratory somersault.
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Sadly, the collateral injury on this occasion was a member of the officiating group, whom Ceresna helped up earlier than being flagged for contacting an official.
After all, it does nothing for the age-old punchline of officers being blind when you may’t see a 300-pound lineman doing gymnastics in entrance of your face.
“Yeah, I do know. It was a bizarre name,” Ceresna mentioned. “I sort of tripped there and was simply, like, ‘Let me do my somersault now.’ I ought to have appeared and noticed him. So, it’s sort of on me, too. I’ve received to ensure I don’t run into the ref.”
E-mail: gmoddejonge@postmedia.com
On Twitter: @GerryModdejonge
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