Roughriders make comeback to beat Elks in regular-season opener

Shawn Bane Jr. reeled in three touchdown passes as the Saskatchewan Roughriders came from behind to spoil Edmonton's Canadian Football League home opener, defeating the Elks 29-21 on Saturday.

The Elks started the scoring on their first possession with a 17-yard field goal from Boris Bede.

Saskatchewan responded right back with a long drive capped off by quarterback Trevor Harris finding a wide-open Bane Jr. for a 27-yard passing major.

After starting the second quarter with a punt single, the Elks bookended the scoring with a touchdown coming with just over a minute to play. Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who spent a season in the United States Football League after guiding the Toronto Argos to the 2022 Grey Cup championship, hit Hergy Mayala for a 22-yard passing strike in the end zone to put Edmonton up 11-7.

Saskatchewan was threatening late in the opening half, but Harris was picked off at the Edmonton 17-yard line by Darrius Bratton.

The Riders got a point back on a punt single of their own with less than five minutes to play in the third quarter.

Edmonton added to its lead late in the second after a long 52-yard passing play down the middle from Bethel-Thompson to Dillon Mitchell set up a six-yard passing TD to Mayala.

An interception by Edmonton's Kai Gray would eventually set up a 30-yard field goal by Bede early in the fourth quarter.

Saskatchewan quickly responded, however, as Harris made a pretty passing play to Bane Jr. for a 40-yard touchdown with 11:28 to play in the final frame.

The Roughriders caught a big break less than a minute later as Elks running back Kevin Brown fumbled the ball at his own 16, recovered by Jameer Thurman. That gaffe would eventually lead to a one-yard TD plunge by A.J. Ouellette and a 22-21 Saskatchewan lead.

Bede attempted a 48-yard field goal to put his team back in front with less than five minutes to play, but was wide and short on the kick.

Edmonton was pressing and had moved the ball to midfield before Bethel-Thompson fumbled, with Bryan Cox Jr. picking it up for the Riders with 1:39 left on the clock.

That would lead to yet another passing major for Bane Jr., this one from 33 yards.

The game was moved up three hours to not conflict with Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final, with the Edmonton Oilers taking on the Florida Panthers.

Saskatchewan missed the playoffs last season with a 6-12 record, while the Elks finished in a tie for last in the league with Ottawa at 4-14.

The Elks host the Montreal Alouettes on Friday, while the Roughriders remain on the road with a game in Hamilton next Sunday.