Elks Haven't Won a Season Opener Since 2019, But Cody Fajardo's 9-1 Record Against Ottawa Is The Only Thing That Matters Tonight

Alright, buckle up, sports fans, because the CFL season is kicking off and it's looking like a wild one right out of the gate! We're talking about two teams, the Ottawa Redblacks and the Edmonton Elks, who both spent way too much time in the basement last year. Ottawa went 4-14, Edmonton finished 7-11. Ouch. But guess what? Hope springs eternal, and both squads are talking big for Saturday's opener. The Redblacks are hyped to start strong, especially with five of their first seven games at home. Meanwhile, Edmonton's feeling good after a late-season surge last year. This isn't just a game, it's a statement!

New Blood and Grey Cup Dreams: Can Ottawa Turn It Around?

The Redblacks are rolling out a whole new vibe, and it starts under center. Six-year veteran Jake Maier, fresh from stints in Calgary and Saskatchewan, is stepping in as the new starting quarterback, taking over from Dru Brown. And he's got a new weapon in the backfield: Greg Bell, an offseason pickup who's ready to explode. This guy led the entire East Division in rushing last season with a monstrous 1,038 yards, and get this, he also led ALL CFL running backs with 62 catches for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. That's a serious dual threat, people! Maier's already talking about home-field advantage, saying, "If you want to be a championship team, you've got to win your home games." He's right, those early home wins are huge for setting the tone. And pulling all the strings? Ryan Dinwiddie, who's not just the head coach and offensive coordinator, but also the general manager. He knows how to win, guiding the Toronto Argonauts to the playoffs in four out of five seasons and snagging two Grey Cups. He's trying to instill a winning culture, telling his team, "It's tough when you've lost for a few years and then the guys don't know how to win, but they don't know how not to lose." This opening game is a massive test for his new culture.

Edmonton's Opener Curse vs. Fajardo's Unstoppable Streak

Now, let's talk about the Elks, because history has *not* been kind to them in season openers. Seriously, they haven't won one since 2019! We're talking 0-9 in 2023, 0-7 in 2024, and then losing six of their first seven to kick off 2025. That's a brutal streak they need to break, and Elks head coach Mark Kilam is trying to keep them focused: "We're just trying to focus on the things we can control." But here's the kicker: their quarterback, Cody Fajardo, is an absolute menace against Ottawa. The nine-year veteran boasts an incredible 9-1 record against the Redblacks. Plus, he's on the verge of some serious milestones, needing just three touchdown passes to hit 100 for his career and two rushing scores to reach 50. And don't forget running back Justin Rankin, who led the entire league last season in total yards from scrimmage with 1,726. Those are some serious numbers, folks. Can Fajardo and Rankin finally break the Elks' opener curse? This Saturday's game isn't just a season opener, it's a battle of narratives. Can Ottawa's new offense, led by Maier and the explosive Greg Bell, start building a winning culture at home? Or will Cody Fajardo continue his dominance over the Redblacks and finally snap Edmonton's agonizing opener losing streak? It's a must-watch, because for both these teams, what happens tonight could define their entire season.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.