Roughriders take down Elks, set playoff matchup with Lions

REGINA -- The Saskatchewan Roughriders closed out their 2026 season with a victory, taking down the Edmonton Elks 16-9 Saturday at Mosaic Stadium.

With the Riders' win, the 2026 playoff bracket is set as they will travel to take on the BC Lions in the Western semi-final.

In a battle of quarterbacks making their first starts in Taylor Powell's first with the Elks and Jack Coan's first of his career, the opening quarters went differently.

It was a great first drive for Powell and the Elks, as the 28-year-old drove Edmonton down to Saskatchewan's goal line, with Cole Snyder capping off the drive as the Elks took an early lead.

Those would be the only points of the opening frame, but it wouldn't take long in the second quarter for the Riders to strike, with Brett Lauther's triple cutting the lead in half on the first drive.

Coan and Saskatchewan had another promising drive on their next trip down, but a batted ball resulted in an interception by defensive end Elijah Alston, who added to his stat line that already featured a sack.

Edmonton could not capitalize on the pick, however, as a turnover on downs led to Saskatchewan getting the ball back.

The Riders would capitalize.

It was Tommy time towards the end of the first half, as it was Tommy Stevens' turn to march into the end zone. His touchdown tied the single-season record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (16), which also gave the Riders their first lead of the game, which they would also take into the break.

It was the defences standing tall for most of the third quarter. It looked like the Elks were eventually going to break through thanks to some hard running by ShunDerrick Powell late in the quarter, but a fumble by Powell ultimately kept the frame scoreless.

The points started to come in the fourth quarter, however, as it was Tommy time for a second time. His second touchdown plunge of the game extended Saskatchewan's lead and gave No. 17 his 17th rushing touchdown of the season, a new record for quarterbacks.

The Roughriders tacked on a single point for good measure as they closed out their regular season with a win at home.

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»Depth Charts: EDM | SSK »Game Notes: Elks at Roughriders » Edmonton, Saskatchewan by the numbers » Sign up and watch CFL games on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally

SCORING PLAYS

• Cole Snyder one-yard rushing touchdown (10:04, Q1) | EDM 6 SSK 0

• Brett Lauther 32-yard field goal (13:30, Q2) | EDM 6 SSK 3

• Tommy Stevens one-yard rushing touchdown (02:53, Q2) | SSK 9 EDM 6

• Tommy Stevens one-yard rushing touchdown (12:49, Q4) | SSK 15 EDM 6

• Oscar Chapman 58-yard punt single (03:31, Q4) | SSK 16 EDM 6

• Vincent Blanchard 24-yard field goal (00:027, Q4) | SSK 16 EDM 9

UP NEXT

Up next for the Edmonton Elks is some time to rest. The team has clinched first place in the West Division and the bye that comes with it to the Western Final on Nov. 7 and will await the winner of the Western semi-final on Oct. 31.

For the Saskatchewan Roughriders, they will travel to BC to take on the Lions in the Western semi-final in a Halloween clash on Oct. 31. The winner will advance to take on the Elks in the Western final on Nov.7.