Elks face unbeaten Alouettes in rain-soaked home opener
Edmonton embraced wet-weather practice all season. Saturday's forecast rain could give the Elks an edge against Montreal.
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The Edmonton Elks play the unbeaten Montreal Alouettes on Saturday, June 20, in conditions the team has trained for relentlessly: rain.
Since early training camp, rain has been the Elks' constant companion — through preseason, their season-opening 29-21 win in Ottawa two weeks ago, and regular practice sessions. That experience could work in their favour, cornerback JJ Ross said.
"Our preseason game was in the rain, our first regular season game was in the rain, we practice in the rain a bunch," Ross said. "Obviously it changes the offensive game plan a bit, but since we've done it so much I think it's an advantage for us."
Quarterback Cody Fajardo echoed that confidence. "We've had plenty of experience with it. It's been a rainy training camp, that helped us in the first game. I tell the guys the only way you can get better in the elements is to play in the elements, so I'm glad that coach always has us out there when it's bad (weather), it's rainy, it's windy."
Defences typically thrive in wet games because rain forces offences to lean on the running game rather than passing. That logic could benefit Edmonton, which wants to limit Montreal quarterback David Alexander's ability to scramble and create outside the structure.
Head coach Mark Kilam identified Alexander as the defensive focus. "With him the whole field is live and in play. He can make every throw; he's pushing the ball downfield; he's protecting throws. We're going to have to be really disciplined in what we're doing."
Running back Justin Rankin powered Edmonton's season opener with 102 rushing yards, one touchdown, and five catches for 94 yards. Those first-down runs opened up the offence for Fajardo.
"What a flip of the script from last year," Fajardo said. "We have a great running game. When you get five, six yards a carry, it wears defences down."
Edmonton will be without defensive lineman Coulter Woodmansey. Montreal is missing linebacker Tyrice Beverette. The Elks are chasing their first 2-0 start since 2019.