(Hamilton) Jalen Collins returned a 14-yard fumble in the fourth quarter to lead the Edmonton Elks to a 29-25 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday, a first triumph for the team this season Alberta.
Posted at 11:40 p.m.
Elks defensive back Jeawon Taylor knocked the ball out of Tiger-Cats quarterback Dane Evans on a push to the outside. Collins collected the ball for the victorious middle finger with one minute and 38 seconds left in the encounter.
The Tiger-Cats offense was then able to get to the Elks 30-yard line, but was unable to get another first down.
Elks rookie quarterback Tre Ford completed 15 of 26 passes for 159 yards through the air. Despite being the victim of an intercepted pass, he completed his first touchdown pass in his first CFL start.
Evans found takers on 20 of 31 passes – including one touchdown – for a total of 197 yards gained through the air. Two of his passes were intercepted.
The Elks improved to 1-3 while the Tiger-Cats started the season with four straight losses for the first time since 2017. The Ontario club started with an 0-8 record.
Elks head coach Chris Jones has never started a season with four straight losses.
Trailing by 10 points to start the third quarter, the Elks fell victim to a field goal from 33 yards before passing one from 38 yards and then another from 32 yards.
The Elks trailed 22-15 going into the final quarter.
Matthew Thomas of the Elks intercepted a pass from Evans to set the tone for the fourth quarter. The table was set for Ford’s first career touchdown pass, which spotted Kenny Lawler for 10 yards to tie the game.
The Tiger-Cats regained the lead thanks to Michael Donagala’s 33-yard kick before Collins gave the visitors the win.