Saskatchewan prepares for dynamic Elks tailback
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are preparing to face Edmonton Elks tailback Justin Rankin, who has been a significant offensive threat during the 2026 season. Rankin has demonstrated dynamic explosiveness, posing a challenge for opposing defences with his ability to run and catch the ball.
Roughriders Defensive Line Coach Micah Johnson highlighted Rankin’s versatility, noting his effectiveness in both the run game and screen plays. Johnson described Rankin as being similar to a punt returner in how he operates in open space, emphasizing that giving him more room makes him increasingly dangerous and difficult to tackle.
After six games this season, Rankin has accumulated 522 rushing yards, averaging 7.1 yards per carry, and has caught 32 passes for 343 yards. He is currently on pace to achieve 1,566 rushing yards and 1,029 receiving yards, potentially becoming the first CFL player to reach 1,000 yards in both rushing and receiving in the same year.
Johnson stressed the importance of defensive players maintaining their assigned gaps to contain Rankin. He noted that Rankin excels at selling inside moves before bouncing to the edge, where he becomes particularly dangerous. The Roughriders will host the Elks at Mosaic Stadium on Thursday night in a game that will determine first place in the West Division.
Strategies to contain Rankin
The B.C. Lions have been the only team this season to effectively limit Rankin’s production. In two recent games against the Lions, Rankin rushed for only 28 yards on 14 carries. In contrast, he had 60 carries for 494 yards in the Elks’ other four contests.
Roughriders Head Coach Corey Mace indicated that the team reviews strategies from other opponents when preparing for upcoming games, including looking at how other teams have found success. However, he emphasized that the primary focus remains on the Roughriders’ own defensive execution to stop their opponents.
The upcoming matchup between the Elks and Roughriders is anticipated to be a physical contest, with both teams known for their strong defensive units. Both defences rank highly in net offence allowed, suggesting a challenging game for both offensive lines.
The Elks, despite dealing with some injuries to key players like linebacker Nick Anderson and defensive tackle Jordan Williams, as well as multiple offensive linemen, have managed to fill those positions defensively. They will face a balanced Saskatchewan offence led by quarterback Trevor Harris, a strong receiving corps, and a robust run game featuring A.J. Ouellette.
The Elks have demonstrated an ability to force turnovers, averaging nearly four per game, while Saskatchewan has been effective at protecting the ball. This contrast in ball security could be a key factor in the game.
Historical context of dual-threat running backs
The pursuit of a 1,000-1,000 season is a rare achievement in the CFL. The closest bid for this milestone was made by Andrew Harris during his time with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, when he rushed for 1,035 yards and had 857 receiving yards in 2017. Harris is now the Roughriders’ Running Backs Coach.
For the Roughriders, Tim McCray came closest to a double 1,000 season in 1989, finishing 251 yards short with 1,285 rushing yards and 749 receiving yards. Other notable Roughriders running backs with strong dual-threat seasons include Ed Buchanan in 1964 (1,390 rushing yards, 681 receiving yards) and Mike Saunders in 1994 (1,205 rushing yards, 613 receiving yards).
The Roughriders’ exclusive 700-700 club includes Ken Carpenter (726 rushing yards, 784 receiving yards in 1956) and Ray Purdin (809 rushing yards, 771 receiving yards in 1962). Craig Ellis holds the Roughriders’ record for receiving yards by a running back with 977 yards on 102 catches in 1985, a season where he also rushed for a team-best 569 yards.
The CFL expanded its regular season from 16 to 18 games per team in 1986.
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Source: riderville.com
Ethan Brule is a Senior Hockey Writer at CasinoNews. He covered the NHL for a national Canadian outlet. He focuses on the NHL, the Maple Leafs and Team Canada and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Sports Media from Toronto Metropolitan University. Now based in Toronto, he plays beer-league hockey and follows the junior ranks. “Hockey in Canada is never only about the score.”
