Taylor Cornelius Will Make First CFL Start on Saturday for Edmonton

Former OSU quarterback Taylor Cornelius will make his first career CFL start on Saturday. Cornelius, who played at OSU from 2015-18 before an abbreviated stint in the XFL, is starting for the Edmonton Elks in place of injured starter Trevor Harris.

Cornelius was effective in the XFL before the league had to shut down the season because of the pandemic. He completed 78 of 123 attempts for the Tampa Bay Vipers and added 114 yards rushing in five starts, though the team went 1-4 in that span.

It might be trial by fire for Cornelius on Saturday, however, as Edmonton faces a league-leading Winnipeg team that ranks first in points allowed per game on the season. The Elks are 2-3.

“They’ve got some studs over there, some big-time name guys, but we’re going to prepare like every other week and we’re going to be ready to roll,” Cornelius said via Sportsnet.

Cornelius was the starter for one season at OSU. In 2018 he completed 288 of his 495 attempts for 3,978 yards passing and 32 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. He added 406 yards on the ground with 10 rushing scores.