Elks coach says QB Ford’s ‘spark’ in Ticats game earned him start in Riders matchup

Ever since throwing for 3 touchdowns for nan Edmonton Elks during a fourth-quarter quality against nan Hamilton Tiger-Cats connected Sunday, Tre Ford’s sanction has been a basking taxable of chat among CFL shot fans and sports commentators.

In an question and reply pinch power big Dave Campbell connected 630 CHED’s Inside Sports connected Tuesday night, Edmonton’s interim caput coach confirmed nan team’s 26-year-old Canadian-born backup backmost will commencement Saturday’s crippled against nan Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-2).

“Tre came successful and gave america a spark that we were looking for this past weekend,” Jarious Jackson said.

Ford relieved starting backmost McLeod Bethel-Thompson successful Sunday’s game, creating violative excitement and moving nan squad down section though nan Elks mislaid 44-28 to Hamilton and saw their grounds autumn to 0-7 this season.

The young pivot, who was named nan Elks’ astir outstanding subordinate of 2023, completed 10 of 15 passes for 121 yards and rushing for 19 yards connected 3 carries.

“I thought he went retired location and put his champion ft forward,” Jackson said of Ford.

Jackson indicated nan determination to commencement Ford successful Regina connected Saturday besides relates to Bethel-Thompson’s health, though he will dress for nan crippled and beryllium connected nan sidelines.

“Mac has been a small up and down nan past mates of weeks on pinch dealing pinch immoderate injuries that he won’t show anybody about,” he said. “It’s been difficult for him to moreover propulsion nan shot these past mates of weeks.

“That’s not to make immoderate excuses, but astatine nan extremity of nan day, Tre came in, did well.”

Chris Jones, who was fired arsenic nan Elks’ caput coach and wide head earlier this month, signed Bethel-Thompson successful nan summertime pinch nan volition of him being nan shot team’s starting backmost while besides serving arsenic a mentor to Ford. Jackson said he believes Ford has learned a batch from nan seasoned this season.

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“I deliberation Mac has decidedly helped Tre successful a batch of different ways,” he said. “He hadn’t had that successful nan past arsenic acold arsenic being capable to study from a veteran.

Jackson did not corroborate if he is readying to commencement Ford successful games beyond nan upcoming 1 against Saskatchewan.

“We’re going to grip this 1 first and we’ll fig it retired from there,” he said, adding that Bethel-Thompson is “a existent pro and he’s decidedly going to support Tre successful each measurement he tin connected and disconnected nan field.”