EDMONTON \u2013 The Edmonton Elks wrapped up their 2025 schedule with a 20-10 loss to the Calgary Stampeders at Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium on Friday. Edmonton finishes coach Mark Kilam\u2019s first season as head coach with a record of 7-11, its most wins since 2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there was growth throughout the staff and the football team,\u201d Kilam said. \u201cI definitely think we established the foundation of who we want to be, especially on a day-to-day basis, of how we want to interact in this building, how we want to practice, the energy we want to bring. But I\u2019m disappointed right now, I wanted to play better in the last game of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his CFL debut, receiver Jalon Calhoun scored Edmonton\u2019s lone touchdown. Green and Gold kicker Vincent Blanchard drilled a 51-yard field goal, tying for the second longest of his CFL career.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Elks veteran quarterback Cody Fajardo completed 20 of 27 passes for 272 yards and led the Green and Gold with 24 yards rushing. OJ Hiliare was Edmonton\u2019s top pass catcher, hauling in six completions for 86 yards.<\/p>\n
\u201cCody was leaving it all out there,\u201d Kilam said. \u201cWe didn\u2019t give him a lot of time on some things, but I thought he was playing his heart out, which he always does.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quincy Vaughn scored the only touchdown for the Stamps, who got four field goals from kicker Rene Parades. The Stampeders scored on their opening drive and never trailed in the game.<\/p>\n
Edmonton\u2019s defence came up with a number of big stops throughout the game, as Calgary went just one-for-four in the redzone.<\/p>\n
Calgary jumped ahead 7-0 after Vaughn rushed for a one-yard touchdown just 4:58 into the game. Early in the second quarter, the Stamps drove to the Elks\u2019 one-yard line and had first and goal, but Edmonton\u2019s defence came up with two big stops, forcing the Stamps to attempt a field goal. Parades knocked it home from 12 yards to put the visitors up 10-0.<\/p>\n
With 7:12 remaining in the second quarter, Parades connected on a 44-yard field goal as Stamps extended their lead to 13-0. Another field goal from Parades, this time from 41 yards with 59 seconds left, put Calgary up 16-0 going into the half.<\/p>\n
On the opening possession of the second half, Blanchard hit a 51-yard field goal to cut Calgary\u2019s lead to 13. The Stamps responded by driving to the Elks\u2019 six-yard line for a first-and-goal, but the Green and Gold defence held strong again, and Calgary had to settle for a 10-yard field goal from Parades, making the score 19-3.<\/p>\n
Fajardo finds Calhoun for his first CFL touchdown! #GoElks<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/cSXXrOnWIc<\/a><\/p>\n