Struggling Stampeders can’t keep up with Jones or Elks in 35-20 Labour Day loss – Edmonton
A memorable performance from receiver Tevin Jones led the Edmonton Elks to a big win in the Labour Day Classic game.
Jones caught a pair of touchdown passes from quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson as the Elks beat the Calgary Stampeders 35-20 on Monday in front of 28,467 fans at McMahon Stadium.
But it was Jones’ 81-yard run after recovering a fumble by teammate Eugene Lewis that set up backup quarterback Dakota Prukop for a timely touchdown.
“I feel like my whole life is a movie and right now, this is my favourite part,” said Jones, who had five receptions for 107 yards along with his 81-yard run to the Calgary 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter.
“Life goes on, that’s my favorite part and it keeps growing. I’m just happy to be here. There’s still a lot to come, so it’s all good.”
Bethel-Thompson, who completed 25 of 36 passes for 486 yards, praised Jones after the Elks’ third win in their last four games.
“He’s the dragon, man,” Bethel-Thompson said. “He’s alive right now and we’re riding his wave. He has a unique ability to be a great person, bring the right energy, find the right vibe and ride the wave. We’re going to ride his wave, so I’m happy to have him with us.”
Lewis also had a touchdown reception for the Elks (4-8), who had lost the previous two Labour Day Classic games – and 10 of the last 11 – to their provincial rivals.
“Some of the guys are old enough, but some of the guys are too young to understand the importance of this win,” Edmonton coach Jarious Jackson said. “It’s tough to come and win here at McMahon Stadium at any time, especially on Labour Day.
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“Labour Day is even tougher, especially with (Calgary coach) Dave Dickenson and his team coming back from a bye week. They don’t usually lose in situations like this. I’m so proud of our guys and the way they fought.”
Dean Faithfull kicked a field goal and a single for the Elks, while kicker Jake Julien kicked three singles.
Jake Maier threw a touchdown pass to Kylin Hill in a loss for the Stampeders (4-7), who have lost three straight games.
“We got beat,” Stamps linebacker Micah Awe said. “They not only won more games than us, they won a lot more games than us.”
“We were not prepared, we were not ready. And they were prepared, they were ready.”
Peyton Logan returned a punt 104 yards for a touchdown, while Rene Paredes kicked two field goals, including the longest of his CFL career at 57 yards.
Maier, who completed 22 of 34 passes for 297 yards, had a rough outing as he was intercepted four times, including twice by Loucheiz Purifoy and twice by Devodric Bynum.
“There’s no way to say four interceptions happened, really,” Maier said. “And we got what we deserved because of that.”
Julien was responsible for all the points in the first quarter, with an 87-yard single followed by another that went 74 yards.
Faithfull gave the Elks a 5-0 lead at 3:03 of the second quarter with a 41-yard field goal before Paredes answered with his 57-yard field goal.
Faithfull then had to settle for a single to give the Elks a 6-3 lead after her 29-yard field goal attempt missed wide left.
Bethel-Thompson engineered an eight-play, 84-yard drive that he capped with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Lewis at 13:47 of the second quarter.
Maier responded by driving the Stamps to the Edmonton six-yard line before Dickenson called a timeout with seven seconds left in the half. After Maier threw an incomplete pass, the Stamps had to settle for a 13-yard field goal from Paredes.
The Elks increased their lead to 20-6 on a seven-yard TD reception by Jones at 11:19 of the third quarter to cap an impressive 14-play, 91-yard drive.
Hill caught a 12-yard pass from Maier for his first CFL touchdown with 34 seconds left in the third quarter to pull the Stamps within seven points.
Early in the final period, Purifoy intercepted an errant pass from Maier at the Edmonton three-yard line.
On the next play, Lewis caught a pass from Bethel-Thompson and ran for a 25-yard gain before losing the ball, which Jones skillfully recovered. Jones then sprinted down the field before eventually being tackled by Calgary’s Kobe Williams.
“I thought I was going to block for him and the ball came out — it came right to me, so thank God I just grabbed it and started running,” said Lewis, who was only slightly disappointed that he had to watch Prukop run for a one-yard TD on the next play. “I was a little sad we didn’t get it, but I’m glad we got a touchdown, so it’s all good.”
After Logan got the Stamps back in the game with his punt return TD, Jones secured the win for the Elks when he caught a Bethel-Thompson pass at midfield and ran the rest of the way for a 73-yard touchdown.
“I’m grateful Mac gave me a chance and threw me the ball, I caught it and ran,” Jones said.
Julien completed the scoring with a 63-yard single with 1:13 left on the clock.
FOLLOWING
Elks: Host the Calgary Stampeders (4-7) on Saturday in the second half of a home-and-home series.
Stampeders: Visit the Edmonton Elks (4-8) on Saturday for the second half of the home-and-home series.
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