What’s the Latest: Elks kicker Blanchard wrote it down in 2026
Vincent Blanchard, kicker for the Edmonton Elks, has begun journaling his kicks and outcomes during the 2026 season. Blanchard set a CFL record for field goals in a game with nine against Hamilton on September 26 and led all kickers with 55 successful field goals at a 93.2 per cent accuracy.
Vincent Blanchard led all CFL kickers with 55 field goals this season, achieving a 93.2 per cent success rate. He broke the CFL record for field goals in a single game with nine against Hamilton on September 26.
Edmonton Elks kicker Vincent Blanchard has received positive endorsements from teammates, with quarterback Cody Fajardo stating, “we have the utmost confidence in Vin.” Following a record-setting season where Blanchard led the league in field goals, attention will shift to his performance in the upcoming Grey Cup game against the Montreal Alouettes.
What remains unclear — It is unknown how the weather conditions at McMahon Stadium will affect kicking performance during the Grey Cup.
Vincent Blanchard begins journaling kicks during 2026 CFL season
Vincent Blanchard, kicker for the Edmonton Elks, has taken a new approach this season by journaling his kicking performance. The 28-year-old from Quebec City believes that documenting his thoughts helps manage the mental aspects of the game. “When I have something in my mind, I write it in my book,” Blanchard stated on Thursday. “I was just trying to do something better for the mental aspect.”
Blanchard’s efforts have paid off; he led the Canadian Football League (CFL) in field goals with 55 and achieved a 93.2 per cent success rate during the regular season. He notable set a league record with nine field goals in a single game against Hamilton in September and executed a decisive 57-yard walk-off field goal against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in July. “I showed what I can really do in this league,” he remarked, acknowledging his growth since joining the CFL.
This Sunday, the Elks will face the Montreal Alouettes in the 113th Grey Cup at McMahon Stadium, a venue known for its unpredictable wind conditions. “It’s a very windy place, but at the end of the day, it’s Canadian football,” Blanchard said, indicating his preparedness for the challenges ahead. “When your name is called, you need to be ready. I want to continue to be.”
Cody Fajardo, the Elks’ quarterback, has observed the positive changes Blanchard has made this season, including his journaling habit. “We have the utmost confidence in Vin,” Fajardo stated. “He’s been money for us this year.” He emphasised that regardless of the game’s outcome, Blanchard’s contributions have been invaluable.
Elks head coach Mark Kilam, who previously spent 14 years with the Calgary Stampeders, noted Blanchard’s potential and development. “He wants to be coached. I think the sky is the limit for Vin,” Kilam said. Blanchard, who was drafted by the Alouettes in 2024, expressed gratitude for the support he has received this season, indicating he is ready to perform under pressure in the upcoming championship match.