EDMONTON — The Calgary Stampeders lost 53-16 to the Edmonton Elks on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium, their second loss to Edmonton in six days. Calgary fell to 5-8, Edmonton improved to 10-3 and clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2019. Edmonton opened the scoring with a Vincent Blanchard field goal after Nick Anderson intercepted Vernon Adams Jr. Calgary took a 7-3 lead late in the first quarter on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Adams to Erik Brooks. In the second quarter, Blanchard kicked a 42-yard field goal, Cole Snyder scored on a one-yard run, and Fajardo threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Robustelli, with the convert missed. René Paredes kicked a 38-yard field goal in the final seconds of the half, leaving Edmonton ahead 19-10.
Edmonton scored 17 points in the third quarter. Fajardo threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Cephus, Blanchard added a 26-yard field goal, and Silas Hubert blocked a Mark Vassett punt and recovered it for a touchdown. Paredes kicked a 41-yard field goal for Calgary.
The Elks added 17 more points in the fourth quarter. Fajardo and Robustelli connected on an 18-yard touchdown, Taylor Powell threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Zach Mathis, and Blanchard added a 46-yard field goal. Paredes added a 45-yard field goal for Calgary.
Fajardo completed 14 of 21 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Cephus caught six passes for 119 yards and a touchdown, Robustelli five for 68 yards and two touchdowns, and ShunDerrick Powell ran for 97 yards on 14 carries. Edmonton finished with 428 yards of offence.
Adams finished 10-for-19 for 142 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions before Josh Love replaced him. Philpot led Calgary with three catches for 64 yards, and Choquette ran for 62 yards on nine carries. Paredes scored 10 of Calgary's 16 points, going 3-for-3 on field goals with one convert in his 250th career regular-season game.
Calgary returns home to face the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday, Sept. 19.
This recap is brought to you in part by Animas Painting — interior and exterior painting in Calgary. Reach Rafael at 403-604-5529.