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Strong fourth quarter propels Elks to OK Tire Labour Day Weekend win over Stampeders

Game DaySep 7, 2026
CFL.ca Staff
Strong fourth quarter propels Elks to OK Tire Labour Day Weekend win over Stampeders

Leah Hennel/CFL.ca

Cody Fajardo runs with the ball

CALGARY -- A great fourth quarter by the Edmonton Elks helped the road team complete the comeback over the Calgary Stampeders 38-28 on Monday evening to wrap up OK Tire Labour Day Weekend.

Despite an offensive-filled second half, this Labour Day classic's first half was largely a strong defensive showing, with only four points total being scored in the first quarter, all by Calgary on special teams. The opening frame favoured the home Stampeders, as Clarence Hicks and Anthony Johnson forced turnovers for Calgary early to help the Stamps to a 4-0 lead after one.

It remained a defensively strong game until midway through the second, when a 39-yard touchdown strike from Vernon Adams Jr. to Jalen Philpot was the game's first major and extended the Stampeders' lead. Edmonton responded, as an Elks drive in response capped-off by Cody Fajardo connecting with Kaion Julien-Grant cut into Calgary's lead.

The scoring continued to close the first half, as Calgary found the end zone once again. A pass interference call in the end zone set up a Quincy Vaughn plunge to extend Calgary's lead heading into the break.

Adams and the Stampeders exploded offensively to begin the second half, as the pivot delivered another long bomb, this time to Clark Barnes, to extend the Stamps' lead even further. Towards the end of the third quarter, Austin Mack and the Elks, once again, responded., as the wideout's eighth major of the year cut into Calgary's advantage once again.

The final frame was all Edmonton, though it opened with an explosive Tyreik McAllister punt return to set up a second field goal by Parades and put more points on the board for Calgary.

Then Edmonton began their march back. A ShunDerrick Powell major capped off an Edmonton drive before a Barnes fumble set up a Vincent Blanchard field goal. Then, Justin Rankin delivered the comeback blow with a patent explosive touchdown run gave Edmonton their first lead of the game just before the three minute warning, which they would add to and ultimately hold onto till the end of the game.

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SCORING PLAYS

  • Mark Vassett 72-yard punt single (07:11, Q1) | CGY 1, EDM 0

  • Rene Parades 36-yard field goal (00:57, Q1) | CGY 4, EDM 0

  • Vernon Adams Jr. 39-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Philpot (07:43, Q2) | CGY 11, EDM 0

  • Cody Fajardo six-yard touchdown pass to Kaion Julien-Grant (02:33, Q2) | CGY 11, EDM 7

  • Quincy Vaughn one-yard touchdown run (00:05, Q2) | CGY 18, EDM 7

  • Vernon Adams Jr. 41-yard touchdown pass to Clark Barnes (12:23, Q3) | CGY 25, EDM 7

  • Cody Fajardo seven-yard touchdown pass to Austin Mack (03:07, Q3) | CGY 25, EDM 14

  • Rene Parades 42-yard field goal (12:15 Q4) | CGY 28, EDM 14

  • ShunDerrick Powell three-yard touchdown run (08:36 Q4) | CGY 28, EDM 21

  • Vincent Blanchard 52-yard field goal (06:14 Q4) | CGY 28, EDM 24

  • Justin Rankin 50-yard rushing touchdown (04:22, Q4) | EDM 31, CGY 28

  • Cole Snyder one-yard touchdown rush (00:18, Q4) | EDM 38, CGY 28

NEXT UP

The Edmonton Elks and Calgary Stampeders close their home-and-home series as they meet one final time this season in Edmonton on Saturday, September 12.