Elks rally from 16-0 hole to beat Blue Bombers 22-19 on late field goal
Vincent Blanchard's 40-yard field goal as time expired capped a second-half comeback that pushed Edmonton to 8-3 atop the West Division.
The Edmonton Elks trailed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 16-0 late in the second quarter on Friday night before rallying to win 22-19 on a 40-yard walk-off field goal from Vincent Blanchard. Edmonton improved to 8-3, its best position atop the standings since 2015, while Winnipeg fell to 5-5 with a third loss in four games.
Winnipeg built its lead through three field goals from Sergio Castillo and a 30-yard touchdown pass from Zach Collaros to Tim White, while Edmonton quarterback Cody Fajardo was intercepted at midfield. Edmonton cut into the deficit before halftime with a touchdown pass to Austin Mack, trailing 16-6 at the break.
Edmonton dominated the second half, tying the game on a Fajardo one-yard rushing touchdown and eventually taking the lead on a field goal with six minutes left. Winnipeg tied it again with 1:41 remaining on a 53-yard Castillo field goal before Edmonton drove back downfield for Blanchard's winning kick.
Fajardo's touchdown pass matched his career high with 18 on the season, and Castillo set a Blue Bombers franchise record with his 42nd career field goal of 50-plus yards. Winnipeg hosts the Montreal Alouettes on Aug. 29, while Edmonton has a bye before travelling to Calgary on Sept. 7.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.