Roughriders top Elks 16-9 to book West semifinal showdown with Lions

REGINA — Tommy Stevens admits landing in the CFL record book is a bit surreal for him.

Stevens, the short-yardage specialist for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, scored two rushing touchdowns in Saturday’s 16-9 victory over the Edmonton Elks to break the league’s single-season mark for rushing majors.

In his second season with the Riders, the 6-foot-4, 245-pound Stevens tied the league record on a one-yard plunge in the second quarter and then grabbed the record for himself with another one-yard run in the fourth quarter.

After the game, Stevens was still trying to come to terms with topping the previous mark that was held by Saskatchewan legend George Reed and former Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Caleb Evans.

“It hasn’t really set in yet, but I’m not going to sit here and act like I didn’t want it. I knew what was at stake. I knew that it was a possibility. Maybe it was selfish, I don’t know,” said Stevens, who has scored 47 rushing touchdowns in 86 games.

“Obviously, with what George meant to this team, this province, it’s surreal to have your name mentioned alongside his and I’m so incredibly thankful. But like I told guys in the locker room, it’s not just my name, this is our award. It’s not about me but I’m so thankful to have my role and try to bring as much value as I can.”

Reed, who was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1979, set the initial record of 16 rushing touchdowns in 1968. Evans tied the record in 2022.

Stevens joined the Riders last season after spending his first three CFL seasons with the Calgary Stampeders. Under the tutelage of head coach Corey Mace and Riders offensive coordinator Marc Mueller, he has become a pivotal part of the Saskatchewan offence.

Stevens’ reliability makes Mace’s job easier and although Stevens is remarkably successful in his offensive role, he also has a wider impact on the Riders.

“I’ve never seen it before, like people are chanting his name. When he goes out there, I can look at other things because I just have so much trust and faith in the guy and what he’s able to do for us,” said Mace.

“He brings so much to this locker room, it’s not even just how he plays, but I think even the words that he shares with his teammates. He means a lot to this team. I’m so happy for him.”

After struggling in the latter stages of the season, the Riders have now won their last two games. The victory, which improves the squad to 10-8, lifted Saskatchewan into third place in the West. The defending Grey Cup champions will travel to Vancouver to take on the B.C. Lions on Oct. 31.

The first-place Elks, who dropped to 13-5 with the setback, will host the Saskatchewan-B.C. winner in the West Division final on Nov. 7.

The Riders and the 10-8 Lions played three times during the regular season. The Riders won the first game in Regina 31-27 with the Lions winning the next two games in Vancouver by scores of 30-16 and 31-24.

Despite those two defeats, Stevens says the Riders are looking forward to a third game at B.C. Place against the Lions.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to go back to B.C., to play them there. I mean, at least we’ll be inside, so guys won’t complain about being cold, right? We gave ourselves a chance to move on into the post-season, and it starts this week,” said Stevens.

“. . . We’re excited for the opportunity, and yeah, the stakes are high. But when you have championship DNA, I think that puts you at ease a little bit, knowing that we have the right guys in the room to get the job done.”

Penalties played a major role in Saturday’s game as the Elks took 14 penalties for 146 yards. Both of Stevens’ touchdowns were set up by pass interference penalties.

The first major was on a 67-yard drive with 65 of the yards coming from Edmonton penalties, including a 42-yard pass interference call against Elks defensive back Royce Metchie. Stevens’ second touchdown came after Laddarius Tennison was flagged for pass interference in the end zone on a third-and-goal play from the 10-yard line.

Mace wasn’t apologizing for scoring points off of Edmonton’s undisciplined play.

“Penalties equal points. That’s amazing. We’ll take that. However you can get it and keep us moving down the field, we’ll take it. You’ve got to play it clean, that’s just what it is,” said Mace.

“It’s going to be cross teaching for us as well, but we say it all the time: penalties equal points, whether you’re going forward or backwards.”

Jack Coan started at quarterback for the Riders with Mace deciding to rest Trevor Harris. In first CFL start, Coan was 15 of 26 passing for 178 yards and one interception. Brett Lauther had a 32-yard field goal and punter Oscar Chapman added a 58-yard single.

Edmonton’s lone touchdown was scored by backup quarterback Cole Snyder on a one-yard run coming on their first drive of the game. Vincent Blanchard kicked a 24-yard field late in the fourth quarter.

The Elks also rested Cody Fajardo, their starting quarterback, with Taylor Powell taking the reins. He finished 26 of 30 passing for 236 yards. Tailback ShunDerrick Powell had an impressive game, gaining 101 yards on 11 carries.

UP NEXT

Roughriders: Travel to Vancouver for the West Division semifinal against the B.C. Lions on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Elks: Host the winner of the West Division semifinal in the West final on Saturday, Nov. 7.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2026.

Jeff DeDekker, The Canadian Press