Trevor Harris felt the Edmonton Elks defence presented a stiff test for him and the rest of his Saskatchewan Roughriders teammates last year, but the numbers suggest they’re far stingier now.
The Elks have allowed just 138 points through six games, just five more than the Riders have surrendered but with an extra contest played. With a third of the season completed, the Elks are on pace to surrender 414 points – 76 fewer than last season when they finished with a 7-11 record. No wonder they’re 5-1 and a half game ahead of the Riders for first place in the West Division.
So, what’s changed for their rivals? Harris believes it’s simple – or more clearly, a case of simplicity.
“If you ever go through tendencies of defences, teams that play 50 coverages on first down, they don’t know what they’re good at. They’re just chucking darts,” the Riders quarterback told reporters in Regina. “The great defences you play against, they don’t do a ton. It’s because they get very good at what they do and they shut down things with their stuff because they’re very good at it and they know who they are.
“They’ve found what they’re good at. It’s our job to go out and exploit it.”
Harris feels they have the means to dominate the Elks when the Saskatchewan hosts them Thursday in the first of a home-and-home set. But the Riders will have to be careful with how they go about their business. That starts with the play-caller and ball-thrower.
The Elks have recorded eight interceptions in the last two games – four in each outing – both wins. Overall, they’ve made 10 interceptions and forced 21 turnovers, scoring 59 points following those possession changes. All those stats are CFL highs.
Roughriders coach Corey Mace gives a lot of the credit to defensive coordinator J.C. Sherritt, a member of his staff in 2024.
“The turnovers speak for itself, but they play hard,” Mace said. “It’s fun to watch coaches that you’re familiar with and the product that their group’s put on the field because it’s ultimately a reflection of their personality.”
The Elks secondary is filled with landmines in the form of Tyrell Ford and Kordell Jackson, who have two picks apiece, so Harris will have to be dialled in when it comes to navigating his receivers.
He’s got options he’ll be relying on, highlighted by KeeSean Johnson, Kian Schaffer-Baker, and Sam Emilus. All three are top 20 in the CFL when it comes to receiving yards. Johnson is third (479 yards), Schaffer-Baker is fourth (471 yards), and Emilus is 17th (364 yards).
“We know what to expect with one another. With that, our expectations grow higher and higher,” Harris said. “It’s not like I see them go for a certain amount of yards and think, ‘Here we go. We’re good now.’ It’s always: How can we elevate the ceiling? That’s how those guys are built. That’s how I’m built.
“We want to make sure that we’re doing everything that we can to help this offence execute to the highest level we can. There’s more meat on the bone for us in terms for us to continue executing at a high level.”
And how well they fare at executing at a high level against a much-improved Elks defence will go a long way toward determining the outcome of Thursday’s game.
