EDMONTON - Edmonton Elks quarterback Tre Ford still believes in his team's ability to set the tone for this season.
The Elks (0-3) are looking for their first victory when they host the Ottawa Redblacks (1-3) Sunday at Commonwealth Stadium. All three of Edmonton's losses have come by double-digit margins.
鈥淚t鈥檚 still early in the season so we can still set the tone,鈥 said Ford. 鈥淭his one鈥檚 going to be really big. I don鈥檛 like to use the must-win term, but I think it鈥檚 definitely one we need.鈥
His twin brother, cornerback Tyrell, said he鈥檚 not worried about the team being winless.
鈥淚鈥檓 pretty sure last year in Winnipeg we started like 1-4, so I鈥檓 not worried," he said. "Once we all get together and play a full 60 minutes we鈥檙e going to be tough to beat.鈥
The problem has been playing those 60 minutes. The fourth quarters, in particular, have been costly for the struggling Elks. In losses to the B.C. Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Elks were outscored 27-7 in the fourth quarters. Although they outscored the Montreal Alouettes 22-10 in the final quarter, it wasn鈥檛 enough to get a win in Week 2.
鈥淚t鈥檚 where this team needs to grow,鈥 Elks head coach Mark Kalim said of the fourth quarter. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 where we need all three sides of the football and somebody needs to step up and make the plays we need to win games.
鈥淲e need to find ways to make plays late in the game. That鈥檚 what good teams do to win.鈥
Linebacker Josiah Schakel pointed to the final six minutes of their 36-23 loss to Winnipeg last week, when they were outscored 10-0 as a good example of the team鈥檚 late-game problems.
鈥淲e can鈥檛 play 55 minutes and then lose in the last five minutes. We have to make sure that the way we start is the way we finish. And don鈥檛 make mental mistakes in key moments in the game.鈥
One of the big challenges for the Elks will be trying to stop Ottawa quarterback Dru Brown, who is looking for a record-breaking fourth straight 400-plus-yard passing game. After throwing for 413 yards and two touchdowns in the Redblacks' Week 1 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Brown missed three games with a hip injury.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a gunslinger, he believes in his arm and he鈥檚 going to throw the ball deep,鈥 said Tyrell Ford. 鈥淚 know he wants to get that record for the 400 yards, but I think we鈥檙e ready for him.鈥
Linebacker Nick Anderson backed up Ford鈥檚 comments, adding that Brown has 鈥済reat confidence in where he can fit the ball. A lot of times he tries to fit the ball in tight windows because he has great receivers who can make the catches.鈥
However, Anderson added that because Brown throws often and likes to extend plays by scrambling, he also creates the opportunity for interceptions.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 have any interceptions yet, so looking to get our hands on one of these for sure,鈥 he said.
The Elks, who ended a record 22-game home losing streak late last season, are eager for a win to take off the pressure that鈥檚 sure to build if they don鈥檛 win.
鈥淭here鈥檚 definitely pressure but there鈥檚 always pressure to perform well,鈥 said Tre Ford. 鈥淥bviously 0-3 is not the way you want to start but, not to make excuses, but we鈥檝e had a tough schedule.
鈥淭here鈥檚 always pressure on the quarterback position, but I don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 anymore than it has been. You go out and play well everybody loves you. You go out and play bad, everybody hates you. That鈥檚 how it goes.鈥
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 5, 2025.
