EDMONTON - Through the first eight games of the Edmonton Elks season, running back Justin Rankin averaged 5.2 yards a carry for 308 yards, twice was held to zero yards in a game, and scored just two touchdowns.
The Elks were 2-6 over that stretch.
In the seven games since, the five-foot-10, 215-pound native of Oberlin, Ohio, has rushed for 530 yards, a 6.8-yard average, and six touchdowns. The Elks won four of those games to resurrect their playoff hopes, which are on the line again Saturday night when they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
So what happened between Weeks 10 and 11 of the CFL season that led to the turnaround for both Rankin and the Elks?
鈥淣othing really changed,鈥 Rankin said this week after he signed a contract extension through the 2027 season. 鈥淲e had a lot of new guys coming together, trying to get used to each other, each other鈥檚 playing styles, and believing in each other.
鈥淚 think that was the big thing that did probably change, we believed a lot more. It takes time to build that chemistry and that bond.鈥
Offensive coordinator Jordan Maksymic backed that assessment, adding he and Stephen Sorrells, offensive line coach and run game coordinator, also had to find some common ground.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a mix of schemes with coach Sorrells,鈥 Maksymic said. 鈥淗e and I had never worked together so integrating how I see things and how he sees things and then everybody coming together as far as the players go and taking what we learn and teach in the meeting rooms to the field. We鈥檝e definitely hit our stride in the last month or so.鈥
The pivotal individual in the Elks improved performance on offence has been Rankin, an avid hiker who loves the Alberta parks and a self-proclaimed 鈥減retty good鈥 bowler in the off-season, who was signed on Nov. 23, 2023, released May 19, 2024, re-signed July 21 and finally made the roster on Aug. 2.
鈥淚 was grateful,鈥 Rankin said of the Elks giving him a second chance. 鈥淭hey gave me a chance to come into camp and showcase my skills. That鈥檚 all I really asked for.鈥
His breakthrough game came on Aug. 17 last year when he ran for 108 yards and three touchdowns in a 47-22 Edmonton win over the Toronto Argonauts. That was Week 11. By season鈥檚 end he had rushed for 765 yards on only 98 carries for a CFL-best 7.8 yards per carry.
鈥淗e鈥檚 been one of our best players the whole year,鈥 head coach Mark Kilam said of Rankin鈥檚 2025 performance. 鈥淗e鈥檚 explosive, has a ton of explosive plays, brings energy every day, works tremendously hard, great in the room.
鈥淗e plays with a ton of heart. We know he鈥檚 incredibly skilled, has the flashy, sexy plays 鈥 he鈥檚 a great asset to the team on the field and in the room. He loves the game and it shows in the way he plays.鈥
The 6-9 Elks need a win over the 8-7 Bombers to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. An Edmonton loss and a Calgary win over Hamilton eliminates the Elks. An Elks win by 14 points or more would give them a playoff tiebreaker over Winnipeg but the Bombers can secure a playoff berth with a victory.
This report by 好色tvwas first published Oct. 10, 2025.
