Canadian QB Ford, Elks battle 3-0 Stamps

EDMONTON — Last week, rookie Tre Ford became the first Canadian quarterback to start for the Edmonton Elks franchise in more than 50 years.

This Thursday, he's expected to make his first start at Commonwealth Stadium, hoping to lead the Elks to their first home win since Oct. 12, 2019.

To put that in perspective, when the Elks last won a home game, Ford was a third-year quarterback for the University of Waterloo.

The Elks (1-3) will host the Calgary Stampeders (3-0), looking to avenge a Week 3 30-23 loss at McMahon Stadium.

Watch the Elks take on the Stamps tonight at 9pm ET/6pm PT on TSN 1/3/4, TSN Direct and the TSN App. 

Nick Arbuckle was removed from the starting role after that game. Ford, a first-round draft pick, did well enough to help the Elks go on the road and beat Hamilton 29-25 on Canada Day.

Ford and Arbuckle were both getting first-team snaps in practice leading up to Thursday’s game, but coach and general manager Chris Jones warned not to read too much into it.

"We always make sure everybody gets prepared," Jones said. "We double-barrel, and guys get multiple snaps with both groups. We’re trying to prepare for the worst of what might happen."

The Elks are carrying four quarterbacks on the roster — Americans Kai Locksley and Taylor Cornelius being the others — making for an unpredictable situation under centre. Going into the season, Jones predicted the battle for the quarterback position would continue through the 2022 campaign.

Ford, who can beat defences with his arm or his legs, is the man of the moment, though. His numbers from the win in Hamilton weren’t mind-blowing — 159 yards through the air, another 61 yards rushing. But the native of Niagara Falls, Ont., did what Arbuckle couldn’t do this season