Elks turn to rookie quarterback Cornelius as Bombers visit 5-1 Saturday – Edmonton | The Canadian News

The spotlight Saturday night will be on 26-year-old rookie quarterback Taylor Cornelius, who will start the Edmonton Elks when they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium.

On Thursday, Elks quarterback Trevor Harris was placed on the team’s six-game disabled list due to a neck injury sustained during last Saturday’s Labor Day rematch against the Calgary Stampeders.

Cornelius, who played college football at Oklahoma State University, won the backup quarterback job in training camp and has only worked in close range situations. He hasn’t had full reps this week as Harris was cleared to practice before recovering on Wednesday.

Cornelius took the news in stride.

“I found out on Wednesday after our practice on Day 2 that it would start this week,” Cornelius said.

“(Elks head coach) Jamie (Elizondo) called me into his office and told me the news. After that, I continued to prepare and prepare for the game. “

LISTEN BELOW: Edmonton Elks quarterback Taylor Cornelius on adapting to the CFL game in his rookie season.

Elizondo has some history with Cornelius from his days with the XFL’s Tampa Bay Vipers, where Elizondo was the offensive coordinator. In five games, including four starts, Cornelius threw for 858 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions. He added 114 rushing yards and scored three touchdowns.

Elizondo says Cornelius brings many attributes that quarterbacks need.

“A lot of poise, obviously he has a gun for an arm,” Elizondo said. “I think his composure and toughness… he’s very level-headed.

“He has played in some important environments, but I think his strengths are his toughness, the strength of his arms, his precision and his poise.”

The task for Cornelius and the rest of the Elks is formidable Saturday when they face the 5-1 Bombers who are in first place in the West Division. The Bombers have scored the most touchdowns in the CFL at 15. They have the best turnover rate in the league with over-12, and are tied for the best touchdown rate in the red zone at 67 percent.

LISTEN BELOW: Edmonton Elks head coach Jamie Elizondo on his team to find his identity.

For the first time as a member of the green and gold, offensive lineman SirVincent Rogers will play in one game and start at left tackle.

Rogers was originally signed by the team in the 2019 offseason, but broke his triceps in training camp and missed the entire season. He has been out for the past two months due to a chest injury sustained in his back during the first week of training camp.

SAM linebacker Derrick Moncrief will make his Elks debut after signing with the team on September 7.

Moncrief played three seasons for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, having his best season in 2019 when he was named a West Division Player and CFL All-Star. Moncrief was most recently with the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams.

Other changes see defensive end Kwaku Boateng placed on the one-game disabled list for a leg injury.

Thomas Costigan will make his second start of the season on the defensive line. He has eight defensive tackles, two quarterback sacks, two pass knockdowns and one tackle for loss.

The following are the projected offensive and defensive starters for the Elks:

Offense

Quarterback: Taylor Cornelius

Running back: James Wilder Jr. (fullback: James Tuck)

Offensive line: SirVincent Rogers, Tomas Jack-Kurdyla, David Beard, Matt O’Donnell, Kyle Saxelid

Catchers: Derel Walker, Greg Ellingson, Shai Ross, Mike Jones, Earnest Edwards

Defending

Defensive line: Mathieu Betts, Jake Ceresna, Mike Moore, Thomas Costigan

Linebackers: Nyles Morgan, Kieshawn Bierria, Derrick Moncrief

Defenders: Jonathon Mincy, Trumaine Washington, Jordan Hoover, Aaron Grymes, Jonathon Rose

You can listen to live coverage of Saturday’s game between Elks and Blue Bombers on 630 CHED starting with Countdown to the start At 6 pm

The kickoff at The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium will be at 7:45 pm with Morley Scott and Dave Campbell calling all the action live. Also, listen to Blake Dermott and Eddie Steele’s analysis.