{"id":844234,"date":"2026-08-03T11:09:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T11:09:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/844234\/"},"modified":"2026-08-03T11:09:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T11:09:13","slug":"stevens-three-scores-help-riders-turn-tables-on-elks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/844234\/","title":{"rendered":"Stevens\u2019 three scores help Riders turn tables on Elks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Led by three touchdowns from Tommy Stevens<\/a>, the Saskatchewan Roughriders avenged a home-field loss to the Edmonton Elks by winning 28-26 on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium.<\/p>\n

The defending Grey Cup champions shrugged off a spate of injuries and improved their record to 5-2. Edmonton leads the CFL\u2019s West Division at 6-2.<\/p>\n

In the teams\u2019 previous meeting, Edmonton won 36-34 at Mosaic Stadium on a last-play, 57-yard field goal by Vincent Blanchard. It was the Roughriders\u2019 turn to win by two points on the road nine days later, before 31,717 spectators.<\/p>\n

The Roughriders and Elks are to meet once more this season \u2014 in the Oct. 24 regular-season finale at Mosaic Stadium. Tickets are AVAILABLE HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Saskatchewan prevailed on Saturday even though three key players \u2014 running back A.J. Ouellette (knee injury), receiver Samuel Emilus (foot) and defensive halfback Rolan Milllgan Jr. (knee) were sidelined.<\/p>\n

Once the game began, Head Athletic Therapist Greg Mayer had a busy night as a series of players required attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were able to stick together,\u201d Head Coach Corey Mace<\/a> told CKRM\u2019s Luc Mullinder. \u201cWe came into the game without important pieces \u2014 Sam, Rolan, A.J. \u2014 and guys had to step up and make plays.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe go through the game and it\u2019s bodies dropping everywhere. I\u2019m so proud of these guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a resilient effort by the Roughriders, who allowed Edmonton to score on its opening possession for the second consecutive game. Justin Rankin completed a seven-play, 60-yard march with a four-yard scoring run at 3:42 of the first quarter. Blanchard added the convert.<\/p>\n

The ensuing kickoff was returned 87 yards by Johnny Johnson III, who was tackled on the Elks\u2019 nine-yard line. Three plays later, Stevens scored on a one-yard run at 5:50 of the first quarter. Alex Hale\u2019s convert tied the game.<\/p>\n

Blanchard\u2019s 24-yard field goal gave Edmonton a 10-7 lead on the first play of the second quarter.<\/p>\n

Stevens scored on another one-yarder at 4:54 of the second frame, punctuating an eight-play, 68-yard march. Hale\u2019s convert put the Roughriders ahead 14-10.<\/p>\n

Blanchard\u2019s 44-yard field goal at 12:34 of the second quarter narrowed the gap to 14-13.<\/p>\n

Edmonton went up 16-14 when Blanchard kicked a 19-yard field goal at 10:20 of the third quarter. Hale had a missed a 42-yard attempt on the previous possession.<\/p>\n

Saskatchewan went ahead 20-16 at 14:53 of the third frame when Stevens scored his third one-yard TD of the game. The two-point convert attempt was unsuccessful.<\/p>\n

Blanchard\u2019s 22-yard field goal at 4:40 of the fourth quarter made it a one-point game once more.<\/p>\n

Saskatchewan responded with a six-play, 66-yard march that concluded with a four-yard TD pass from Trevor Harris<\/a> to KeeSean Johnson. The same duo collaborated for a two-point convert that gave the visitors a 28-19 lead at 8:20 of the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n

Edmonton stormed back by moving 72 yards in three plays, the last of which was a four-yard TD pass from Cody Fajardo to T.J. Luther. Blanchard\u2019s convert reduced the Roughriders\u2019 lead to two points (28-26) with 4:36 left in the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to do better with not letting people come back,\u201d defensive tackle Mike Rose told CKRM. \u201cWe play with our food too much and that\u2019s on us.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a defence, we can\u2019t give up that last touchdown, but we\u2019ll keep getting better.\u201d<\/p>\n

The defence stood tall on Edmonton\u2019s final possession. With 2\u00bd minutes left, Edmonton was forced to punt from its end zone after Fajardo was sacked by Josh Woods on second-and-19. Pressure applied by Desmond Evans forced Fajardo out of the pocket and into the arms of Woods.<\/p>\n

On the next possession, the Roughriders strung together three first downs \u2014 aided by a roughing-the-passer call against Edmonton \u2014 and ran out the clock.<\/p>\n

Harris completed 19 of 24 passes for 239 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He needs 49 yards to reach the 40,000 milestone for his career.<\/p>\n

As well, Harris threw his 221st career touchdown pass \u2014 moving into a tie with Zach Collaros for 13th on the CFL\u2019s All-Time list. Collaros, now of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, is on the six-game injured list.<\/p>\n

Quali Conley led the Roughriders\u2019 ground attack with 61 yards on 14 carries. He added three receptions for 36 yards.<\/p>\n

Stevens gained 29 hard-fought yards on 13 rushes.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnytime I can have any influence on a game, that\u2019s what I try for,\u201d he told reporters after his busiest game as a Roughrider.<\/p>\n

Johnson III and Duncan-Busby were tied for the team lead in receptions (four). Duncan-Busby led the Green and White in receiving yards (66). Johnson III added 48.<\/p>\n

Fajardo was 22-for-28 for 286 yards and one TD. He had thrown for 510 yards and four scores in the July 23 game versus Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n

The Roughriders are to return to action on Friday against the Ottawa REDBLACKS (7 p.m., Mosaic Stadium). Tickets are AVAILABLE HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n

TOUCHDOWN TOMMY<\/p>\n

Stevens\u2019 three touchdowns gave him eight for the season and moved him into the league lead.<\/p>\n

As well, he tied a Roughriders record for TDs in a game by a quarterback:<\/p>\n

3 \u2014 Kent Austin vs. Calgary, Oct. 23, 1993.<\/p>\n

3 \u2014 Rocky Butler vs. Winnipeg, Sept. 1, 2002.<\/p>\n

3 \u2014 Michael Bishop at Toronto, Oct. 30, 2008.<\/p>\n

3 \u2014 Tommy Stevens at Edmonton, Aug. 1, 2026.<\/p>\n

Stevens became the first Roughrider to rush for three touchdowns in a game since William Powell against the host B.C. Lions on July 27, 2019.<\/p>\n

Dating back to the 2025 Grey Cup, Stevens has 10 rushing TDs in his last eight games. He has four multi-TD games over that span.<\/p>\n

Also on Saturday, Stevens moved into a tie for the most multi-TD games by a Roughriders quarterback.<\/p>\n

Austin leads the way with six such games. Stevens, Kerry Joseph and Reggie Slack are next in line with four. That total includes one post-season game, in the cases of Stevens and Slack.<\/p>\n

Stevens\u2019 eight TD runs are the second-most in Roughriders history after the first seven games of a season. George Reed had nine rushing TDs at this juncture in 1971.<\/p>\n

Only six times in Roughriders history has a player boasted eight or more TDs at the seven-game mark.<\/p>\n

Hugh Campbell had 11 touchdowns (all on receptions) in 1966. Reed (1971) and Ken Carpenter (1955) had nine touchdowns at this stage. Wes Cates had eight scores after seven games in 2008 and 2010. Now it\u2019s Stevens\u2019 turn.<\/p>\n

JOHNNY JOHNSON\u2019S JETS<\/p>\n

Johnson III\u2019s 87-yarder was the second-longest non-scoring kickoff return in Roughriders history.<\/p>\n

Craig Ellis<\/a> took off on a 92-yarder against the host Calgary Stampeders on Aug. 19, 1984.<\/p>\n

As well, Johnson III erupted for the Roughriders\u2019 third-longest kickoff return in Edmonton:<\/p>\n

98 \u2014 Mario Alford, Aug. 13, 2022 (TD).<\/p>\n

91 \u2014 Demetris Bendross, Oct. 28, 2000 (TD).<\/p>\n

87 \u2014 Johnny Johnson III, Aug. 1, 2026.<\/p>\n

70 \u2014 Tim McCray, Aug. 4, 1988.<\/p>\n

65 \u2014 Pete Thodos, Nov. 17, 1956 (playoffs).<\/p>\n

62 \u2014 Ken Carpenter, Oct. 23, 1954.<\/p>\n

62 \u2014 Mario Alford, June 11, 2023.<\/p>\n

61 \u2014 Ken Carpenter, Sept. 3, 1955.<\/p>\n

61 \u2014 Jim Elder, Nov. 16, 1975 (playoffs).<\/p>\n

58 \u2014 Emanuel Tolbert, Aug. 30, 1981.<\/p>\n

Back-to-back receptions by Johnson III, for 27 and 15 yards, set up KeeSean Johnson\u2019s fourth-quarter TD.<\/p>\n

SHAKE-AND-BAKE<\/p>\n

Before leaving Saturday\u2019s game due to injury late in the third quarter, Kian Schaffer-Baker became only the fourth Roughrider to reach 700 receiving yards by the seventh game of a season.<\/p>\n

With 704 yards, Schaffer-Baker is third All-Time among Roughriders receivers after seven games. Joey Walters leads the way with 773 (in 1982). Ray Elgaard is next at 713 (1985). Walters also has the fourth-best total (700 yards in 1981).<\/p>\n

KeeSean Johnson ranks 11th, with 581 yards after seven games.<\/p>\n

ROUGH-RYDER<\/p>\n

Linebacker Ryder Varga became the 18th graduate of the University of Regina Rams to suit up for the Roughriders in a regular-season game.<\/p>\n

The all-time total, including the junior Rams, is 55.<\/p>\n

Varga is the 277th Saskatchewan-born Roughrider and the 155th from Regina.<\/p>\n

The Roughriders dressed four ex-Rams on Saturday: Varga, safety Jaxon Ford, cornerback Tevaughn Campbell and receiver D\u2019Sean Mimbs.<\/p>\n

Campbell missed the second half due to injury. He watched from the sideline while wearing a sling.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s going to be great news,\u201d Mace said of Campbell\u2019s status, \u201cbut we\u2019ll see when we talk to the doctors.\u201d<\/p>\n

FUN WITH NUMBERS<\/p>\n

The 28-26 game was only the second in Roughriders history.<\/p>\n

On Oct. 25, 1966, Saskatchewan won 28-26 in Calgary. Ron Lancaster threw TD passes to Campbell, Ed Buchanan and Gord Barwell. Gluey Hughie\u2019s TD catch was his franchise-record 17th.<\/p>\n

Lancaster\u2019s grandson, Marc Mueller, is in his third season as the Roughriders\u2019 Offensive Co-ordinator.<\/p>\n

This season\u2019s first Edmonton-Saskatchewan matchup produced the first 36-34 score in Roughriders history.<\/p>\n

TREVOR TIDBITS<\/p>\n

With 2,254 passing yards, Harris has the fourth-best total in franchise history at the seven-game mark.<\/p>\n

Austin has the top two totals \u2014 2,552 (in 1993) and 2,475 (1992). Darian Durant had 2,263 aerial yards after seven starts in 2010.<\/p>\n

Harris has the team\u2019s second-best total of touchdown passes (17) at the seven game mark. Tom Burgess threw for 19 TDs over the first seven games in 1989. Harris joins Durant (2013) with 17 aerial scores after the team\u2019s first seven games of a season.<\/p>\n

EXTRA POINTS<\/p>\n

\u2022 Emilus, listed as a game-time decision, did not play due to a foot injury. \u201cWe thought it would be smart to give it another week,\u201d Mace said, \u201cbut he was close.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Emilus\u2019s spot on the roster was taken by fellow receiver Dylan Djete \u2014 the Roughriders\u2019 second-round selection (18th overall) in the 2026 CFL Canadian Draft. Djete, activated from the six-game injured list, became the 2,174th active-roster player in Roughriders history.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Saskatchewan defensive end Derick Roberson registered a sack in his CFL debut. Woods and Caleb Sanders had the Roughriders\u2019 other sacks.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Roughriders defensive tackle Mike Rose had two tackles for a loss.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Jameer Thurman and Antoine Brooks Jr. each had six defensive tackles for the victors.<\/p>\n

\u2022 KeeSean Johnson has five touchdown receptions \u2014 one more than he had in 16 games en route to earning All-CFL honours in 2025.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Kerfalla Exume led the Roughriders in special teams tackles, with two.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Halftime lasted slightly more than an hour due to a weather-induced delay.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Led by three touchdowns from Tommy Stevens, the Saskatchewan Roughriders avenged a home-field loss to the Edmonton Elks…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":844235,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[437],"tags":[49,48,521,522,520,82],"class_list":["post-844234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cfl","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-canadian-football-league","tag-canadianfootballleague","tag-cfl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/844234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=844234"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/844234\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/844235"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=844234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=844234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=844234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}