LeFors to lead Esks against Argos
October 5, 2007 - Canadian Football League (CFL)
Edmonton Elks News Release
Rookie Stefan LeFors make his first CFL start as the Esks try to bounce back from last Friday's loss 18-11 loss to the Argos and the loss of MVP quarterback Ricky Ray and fullback and special teams leader Mathieu Bertrand.
LeFors came off the bench late in the second quarter when Ray suffered a third degree separation of his right (throwing) shoulder after he was driven to the turf by Toronto's Willie Pile. The 26-year-old Louisiana native finished the night 11 - 22 for 66 yards and demonstrated an ability to make plays with his arm and his quick feet. "He's just got to go in there and be Stefan," says Eskimo Head Coach Danny Maciocia. "We are going to put a package in place that we think it going to give us an opportunity to march the football next Saturday versus Toronto and we think he can execute it. We're excited about watching him play this weekend with a full week of preparation."
Despite rupturing a tendon in his right foot early in Friday's game, Bertrand played through the pain and even recovered a fumble. Edmonton's leading special teams tackler (20) is sidelined indefinitely.
While LeFors and Co. work to get in sync against the CFL's top ranked defence, the Edmonton D will be called on to hold Michael Bishop and the Toronto offence in check. With five regular season games left, Edmonton is three points out of the final playoff spot in the CFL West and two points from sole possession of the cross-over in the East Division.
Notables
QB Scott Eyster (F/A Import - Delta State) signed Monday, October 1/07 and will be on the roster as Edmonton's third quarterback. RB Jarred Winkel (U of Alberta) was claimed off Winnipeg's non-active roster Monday, October 1/07. Winkel appeared in five games for the Eskimos in 2006, his first CFL season.
Edmonton is 0-3 in their last three games against the Argos. The most recent victory against the Double Blue was a 17-13 win October 10, 2005 in Toronto.
In 86 career regular season games since joining Edmonton in 2002, this is only the ninth game that Ricky Ray has not been the Esks' starting quarterback.
The next Eskimo home game is Saturday, October 13 against the BC Lions. Kickoff - 1:00pm. Buy Eskimo tickets online at ticketmaster.ca or call 451-8000. For more information on the Edmonton Eskimo Football Club please visit our website at www.esks.com.
Edmonton Eskimos @ Toronto Argonauts
Date: Saturday, October 6, 2007
Place: Rogers Centre - Toronto
Kick-off: 3:00pm Eastern
Television: TSN
Radio: 630 CHED - Edmonton (Bryan Hall & Dave Campbell)
FAN 590 - Toronto (Mike Hogan & Peter Martin)
Canadian Football League Stories from October 5, 2007
- LeFors to lead Esks against Argos - Edmonton Elks
- Brian Melo To Sing National Anthem At Ticats Game - Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- The Argos Foundation unveils BMX Bike Park - Toronto Argonauts
- Cats Add A Pair On Offence - Hamilton Tiger-Cats
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