WINNIPEG – Edmonton quarterback Cody Fajardo led the Elks on a late touchdown drive in a 23-18 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers before a sold-out crowd of 32,343 at Princess Auto Stadium on Thursday night.
With less than three minutes to play Fajardo found TJ Luther on an eight-yard touchdown pass to complete a nine-play, 57-yard drive. A two-point convert attempt failed.
The Blue Bombers tried to drive in the final minute but got as far as Edmonton’s 17-yard line before time expired.
The Elks are 3-0 for the first time since 2017. The Bombers fell to 1-2.
Fajardo completed 23 of 35 passes for 267 yards and one touchdown while running back Justin Rankin rushed for 106 yards on 18 carries.
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Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros got his team back in the game after falling behind 17-0 in the first half. He completed 24 of 33 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns.
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Collaros capped a six-play, 69-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Brady Oliveira early in the fourth quarter. Sergio Castillo’s convert gave Winnipeg an 18-17 lead.
The Elks scored on their first possession of the game. Rankin scored on a five-yard TD run to cap a seven-play, 100-yard drive and Blanchard converted.
Oliveira fumbled at Edmonton’s 13-yard line later in the quarter and the Elks returned it deep in Winnipeg territory. However, the defence held and Blanchard kicked a 15-yard field goal to make it 10-0.
Midway through the second quarter, Edmonton was gifted a Dante Daniels fumble at Winnipeg’s 30-yard line. Five plays later, backup quarterback Cole Snyder scored on a one-yard plunge and Blanchard converted.
The Bombers hit the scoreboard for the first time in the last minute of the first half.
Collaros capped an eight-play, 80-yard drive with a 26-yard touchdown strike to Tim White. Castillo’s convert made it 17-7 with four seconds left in the half.
It was Winnipeg’s record 16th straight capacity crowd. The CFL record is 23 (Saskatchewan Roughriders).
COMING UP
The Elks will play the Lions in B.C. on July 4.
The Bombers will face the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton on July 5.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 25, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press