Elks snap record 22-game home losing streak with win over Redblacks

The home hex has finally been lifted.

Canadian quarterback Tre Ford threw for 317 yards, a touchdown and ran one in himself as the Edmonton Elks ended a massive drought and finally got a win at home, defeating the Ottawa Redblacks 30-20 on Sunday.

“We did what we had to do, it certainly wasn’t pretty. But we did what we had to do to win the football game,” said Elks head coach Chris Jones.

“Tre’s given us a spark, he played some really good football. He accounted for nearly 400 yards of offence, he’s taken care of the football, didn’t have turnovers. That’s probably one of the biggest indicators that the offensive line’s playing at a high level right now.

“We ran the ball decently, effectively and we’ve played pretty good defence for the most part.”

Ford also ran for 74 yards as the Elks snapped an horrific 22-game losing streak at home, the longest in North American professional sports history.

Major League Baseball’s St. Louis Browns, who lost 20 straight in 1953 before becoming the Baltimore Orioles the following season, previously held the record.

The Elks had not won at home since Oct. 12, 2019. It was their first win at Commonwealth Stadium since changing the team name from the Eskimos.

After going 0-9 to start the CFL season, the Elks have now won two straight.

Next up, Edmonton travels to Calgary on Labour Day Monday to take on the Stampeders.