The Edmonton Elks have officially named rookie Jarret Doege as their starting quarterback when they take on the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday.
Doege made his CFL debut as the team’s third-string quarterback in a 43-31 loss to the Toronto Argonauts last week, entering the game late in the third quarter. He impressed in the limited audition, completing nine-of-11 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns, while also tossing a pick-six.
The 25-year-old had a circuitous college career which included stops at Bowling Green, West Virginia, Western Kentucky, and Troy. In 53 career appearances in six NCAA seasons, he completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 11,069 yards, 84 touchdowns, and 37 interceptions.
Taylor Cornelius, who was benched last week after connecting on 14-of-18 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown, will serve as the team’s backup. In three games as a starter this season, he completed 40-of-65 passes for 440 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
The recently signed Khalil Tate will dress as the team’s short-yardage quarterback, while Canadian standout Tre Ford will be a healthy scratch for the second straight week.
Doege will have one less weapon to throw to in his first career start, as star receiver Eugene Lewis (knee) has been moved to the six-game injured list. The Elks made Lewis the CFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback this past off-season, signing him to a two-year deal worth $320,000 annually. He has made 11 receptions for 200 yards and one touchdown through three games this season as the clubs leading receiver.
Rookie Maurice Ffrench will get the start at receiver in Lewis’ absence. The University of Pittsburgh product had an outstanding preseason, collecting 16 catches for 162 yards in three games.
Starting left tackle Andrew Garnett (abdominal) has been placed on the one-game injured list, paving the way for Martez Ivey to make his first start of 2023 after starting 15 last year. Rookie Canadian defensive end Luke Burton-Krahn (calf) and fullback Tanner Green (hamstring) have both been added to the six-game injured list, allowing newcomers Josiah Schakel and Mario Villamizar to make their Elks debuts. Versatile defender Mark McLaurin has also returned to his starting safety spot, with defensive end Tobi Antigha moving to the practice roster.
The Elks (0-3) will visit the Ottawa Redblacks (0-2) on Friday, June 30 with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. EDT. Edmonton was the last road team to lose at TD Place on September 28, 2021, and are currently underdogs.
