Justin Rankin scored two rushing touchdowns as the Edmonton Elks beat the Montreal Alouettes 32-29 in overtime in a rainy home opener. Cody Fajardo also ran in the winning score after Edmonton secured the ball on a late fumble sequence, handing the Elks a 2-0
Rain kept falling on the field, and the finish felt like it came out of the storm itself. Justin Rankin carried Edmonton forward with two touchdown runs. Cody Fajardo punched in the winning score. and the Edmonton Elks outlasted the Montreal Alouettes 32-29 in overtime on a rainy Saturday in their home opener.
Edmonton improved to 2-0 to start the CFL regular season for the first time since 2019. Montreal slipped to 2-1 as Davis Alexander suffered the first loss as a starter in a regular-season game in his career. missing a chance to tie the CFL record for most consecutive starts. That mark—14—has been held by Bo Levi Mitchell since 2016.
Montreal struck first. A 50-yard field goal by José Maltos Díaz gave the Alouettes a lead 6:30 into the opening quarter. Travis Theis then made it 13-0 briefly before Edmonton answered. but the Alouettes pushed the advantage again with five minutes left in the second quarter when Theis scampered in from five yards out for a touchdown.
Nate Beauchemin’s interception of Fajardo set up another kick. Montreal marched downfield and added a 38-yard field goal from Maltos Díaz with two minutes left to put itself in control. Edmonton finally got something back with 29 seconds remaining in the second quarter as Fajardo connected with Austin Mack for a nine-yard touchdown pass. cutting the halftime deficit to 13-7.
The Elks flipped the game after the break. Three minutes into the third quarter. Rankin found a seam and raced 36 yards for a rushing major to put Edmonton in front. Rankin wasn’t done. With 6:40 to play in the third. he overcame a stumble. took advantage of a great block from Fajardo. and sprinted 47 yards into the end zone. The convert was missed, but the momentum belonged to Edmonton.
Vincent Blanchard gave the Elks a stronger cushion at the start of the fourth quarter with a 36-yard field goal. Montreal responded quickly with a 37-yard field goal of its own from Maltos Díaz. Then, with 6:22 to play, Montreal fumbled away a punt at their own 11-yard-line and Kordell Jackson recovered for Edmonton. That turnover turned into points again as Blanchard drilled a 13-yard field goal.
Montreal’s comeback attempt gathered force with their quarterback’s big-arm timing. Alexander hit Tyler Snead with a 34-yard bomb into the end zone with three minutes remaining to cut Edmonton’s lead to three.
The Alouettes didn’t just chase the clock—they chased the tie. Maltos Díaz nailed a 31-yard field goal with time expiring to send the game to overtime, knotting it at 26-26.
Overtime started the way the regulation ended, with Maltos Díaz adding a 33-yard field goal. Then came the crucial turn: Rankin fumbled. and after the ball went out of bounds. Edmonton was determined to have gotten last touch. With that break and the weight of the moment on his shoulders. Fajardo ran in himself from six yards out to complete the dramatic victory.
Next up, the Alouettes host the Ottawa Redblacks (0-2) on Sunday, June 28. The Elks will travel to face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1-1) on Thursday.
Edmonton Elks Montreal Alouettes Justin Rankin Cody Fajardo Davis Alexander José Maltos Díaz CFL overtime home opener Travis Theis Austin Mack Nate Beauchemin Kordell Jackson Vincent Blanchard Tyler Snead Tyler Snead touchdown 2026 CFL season
Overtime games are the only ones I bother with lol.
How did Edmonton get the ball after that fumble sequence? Like I feel like they just magically recovered it. Rainy field + OT = refs must’ve been losing the plot.
Rankin ran wild?? Sounds like he was the whole offense and Montreal just forgot to tackle. Also Davis Alexander being “first loss as a starter” is wild because I swear I’ve heard his name before in highlights. Maybe the weather messed with the passing more than they’re saying.
So wait Montreal scored first with a 50-yard field goal and then it still turned into a rushing show. I don’t get it. If it was raining that hard, why are we even trusting field goals and 2 minute drives like that? Either way go Elks I guess, but I’m confused how Fajardo “punched in” the winning score if it was already Rankin’s moment.