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EDMONTON – Joe Robustelli caught a pair of touchdown passes as the Edmonton Elks clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2019 with a 53-16 win over the rival Calgary Stampeders in a Labor Day rematch on Saturday.
Edmonton, which won its fourth straight game to improve its record to 10-3, ended the longest postseason drought in club history, snapping a five-year run of futility that was the worst since the 1960s.
The Stampeders, who allowed the Elks to score 24 points in the fourth quarter last week en route to a 38-28 win at the Labor Day Classic in Calgary, have lost two straight to remain last in the West at 5-8.
Calgary quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. picked up on his team’s second possession by Nick Anderson, allowing the Elks to take a 3-0 lead on Vincent Blanchard’s 32-yard field goal.
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Aided by a long pass interference call, the Stampeders pulled ahead on a 13-yard pass into the end zone from Adams to Erik Brooks.
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A long interception return by Tyrell Ford led to Edmonton responding with a 42-yard Blanchard field goal.
Edmonton took a 13-7 lead with three minutes left to play in the second quarter when a big passing play from Cody Fajardo to rookie ShunDerrick Powell set up a one-yard TD plunge by third-string QB Cole Snyder.
The Elks extended their lead to 12 points with a minute left to play in the second frame when Robustelli caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Fajardo. The conversion shot failed.
Calgary kicker Rene Paredes scored from 38 yards out to end the first half with Edmonton ahead 19-10.
Unfortunately for the Elks, running back Justin Rankin left the game with an injury in the first half and did not return.
Edmonton came out strong in the third quarter as they capped off a solid drive with an impressive 35-yard TD catch by Joshua Cephus.
Blanchard added 26 yards on the next possession.
Paredes responded with a 41-yard field goal.
The Elks got a big play late in the third quarter when Silas Hubert blocked a punt in the end zone and took it himself for a defensive TD and a 36-13 lead.
Calgary immediately threw the ball away on their own 46, eventually resulting in an 18-yard TD pass from Fajardo to Robustelli.
Edmonton continued its streak midway through the final quarter when backup QB Taylor Powell hit Zach Mathis for a 15-yard TD strike.
Paredes kicked a punter from 45 yards with four minutes remaining.
Blanchard responded with a field goal from the 46th minute.
NOTES
Paredes, who made his CFL debut in 2011, played in his 250th career regular season game. … Stamp recipient Reggie Begelton returned from a lingering leg injury, suiting up for the first time since June 14, 2025. … Announced attendance was 31,531.
NEXT
Stampeders: Host the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday, September 19.
Elks: Visit the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday, September 19.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2026.
© 2026 Canadian Press
