Elks beat Alouettes 32-29 in overtime

The Edmonton Elks secured a dramatic 32-29 overtime victory against the previously undefeated Montreal Alouettes in their home opener on Saturday. Quarterback Cody Fajardo ran in the winning touchdown, capping a game where running back Justin Rankin had already scored twice. The win gives the Elks a 2-0 start to the CFL regular season, their best since 2019.

The Alouettes, now 2-1, suffered their first regular-season loss with Davis Alexander as a starting quarterback. Alexander had been vying to tie the CFL record for most consecutive starts with a victory, a mark held by Bo Levi Mitchell. Montreal initially took the lead with a 50-yard field goal from José Maltos Díaz and later extended it with a Travis Theis touchdown, making it 13-7 at halftime despite an Edmonton touchdown late in the second quarter.

Edmonton surged ahead in the third quarter with two long touchdown runs from Rankin. However, Montreal fought back, tying the game with a late field goal from Maltos Díaz, forcing overtime. After Montreal kicked a field goal to start the extra period, Fajardo's six-yard touchdown run sealed the victory for the Elks.

Key moments included a crucial interception by Nate Beauchemin of Montreal and a fumble recovery by Edmonton's Kordell Jackson that led to a field goal. Montreal's Tyler Snead caught a 34-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter to narrow the deficit before the game-tying field goal.

The Alouettes will host the Ottawa Redblacks next, while the Elks travel to face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.