The Edmonton Elks are the hottest team in the CFL after sweeping their Labour Day rivalry for the first time in two decades, but that doesn’t mean they’ll avoid a quarterback change.
Speaking to the media following Saturday’s 37-16 over the Calgary Stampeders, interim head coach Jarious Jackson revealed that Canadian Tre Ford will take back starting duties from McLeod Bethel-Thompson following the team’s bye next week.
“When we get back it will be Tre, but the good part is we’ve got two guys who can get it done,” he said of the situation.
“Like I said earlier in the week, Tre was good enough to play today as well. This allowed him to get this week, the bye week, and then the preparation for Winnipeg in order to be healthy.”
Bethel-Thompson was sensational in the Labour Day Classic a week ago, going 25-of-36 for 486 yards and three touchdowns. He was much quieter in the rematch but still secured the victory, finishing 15-of-25 for 219 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.
The 36-year-old passer exited the game late in the fourth quarter following a pick-six thrown to defensive tackle Mike Rose and appeared to be in abdominal discomfort. Ford, who has dressed the past two weeks as a backup while nursing a rib injury, threw one pass incomplete in relief and ran for four yards.
After the game, Jackson said the injury was not believed to be serious and did not play a factor in his long-term plan to swap the quarterbacks.
“I think he’ll be okay but, at the end of the day, we just want to be cautious about it,” he explained.
Ford made his first start of the season in Week 9 following an 0-7 start under Bethel-Thompson, willing the team to their first win of the season. The former Hec Crighton Trophy winner has completed 35-of-45 passes for 473 yards, five touchdowns and one interception, while rushing 11 times for 79 yards. He went 2-0 as a starter but was forced to exit his second outing in the second quarter after sustaining a rib injury against the rib injury.
Bethel-Thompson steered the team the rest of the way to victory in that game and has gone 3-1 in four appearances since. Through 13 games, the native of San Francisco, Cal. sits second in the CFL for both passing yards and touchdowns, completing 261-of-383 attempts for 3,098 yards, 19 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
The Elks (5-8) have won five of their last six games regardless of who is under centre and are now just a half-game back of the Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-7-1) for the final playoff spot in the West Division. They will return to the field with Ford as starter on Saturday, September 21 when they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
