CIS Roundup

[jerrym]

UBC's defensive end Charles Nwoye looks like he could have a bright professional career ahead after an improbable start to his CIS career.



Last June, as he scrambled to find bodies to fill out the depth chart along his defensive line, newly installed UBC head coach Blake Nill decided to follow his gut instincts and act on a tip from one of his former players. “He said, ‘Coach, you got to see this kid,’ ” remembers Nill, who got Nwoye’s phone number and later flew out to visit with him and his family in the small Alberta town of Strathmore, 50 kilometres east of Calgary. “I took one look at him and even though he had never played, I said ‘Wow, this kid looks like he can move.’ ” ...
There was so much that could have gone wrong, but based on that eye-test alone, Nill invited the native of Lagos, Nigeria who had come to Canada in 2006 with his family and promptly skipped a grade, to join his squad later that summer at the team’s training camp. “The first time he put on his helmet was Aug. 14,” Nill continues. Yet in the six weeks between their initial meeting and the start of camp, Nwoye had the fortune of watching an NFL Films documentary on Christian Okoye, the former Kansas City Chiefs’ all-pro running back who has started playing football while in college at the age of 23 and was later nicknamed The Nigerian Nightmare. “Not that I am saying I’m going to the NFL, but when I saw that, I thought ‘If he can do this, why can’t I?’ ” says Nwoye, who suddenly had a script to follow that was worthy of his own ambitions. “We’re both from the same tribe. The Igbo tribe. We grew up in neighbouring states.” From that point, with a template to guide him, Nwoye learned to leave his caution and fear on the sidelines. ...
And once he got through the initial pain that accompanied his quest, a heck of a quick learner. “That whole camp, my body was so beat up and honestly, I wondered if football was even for me,” Nwoye admits. “The contact part was something I struggled with. My aggression wasn’t where it needed to be. But now I am not afraid to hit anyone. I think my inner savage came out.” Nwoye became proficient enough over just two weeks of camp that Nill put him on the travelling roster, and Nwoye actually got on the field for a number of snaps in UBC’s 41-16 season-opening upset win in Quebec City over the powerhouse Laval Rouge et Or. ...
If there was one other thing that Nill noticed in that first meeting with Nwoye, it was the muscular package he carried with such grace and ease. “He looked like a weight-room kid,” Nill confirms. Because he skipped a grade in elementary school not soon after the family arrived in Canada, Nwoye graduated high school at age 16. And when Nill met with him last June, Nwoye had already finished his second year of studies toward a degree in economics at the University of Lethbridge. ...

From Okoye to Onyemata to Kongbo, Nwoye admits comfort in knowing that others have travelled along his road. And now, with the UBC program at an all-time high in terms of its visibility and his personal ceiling seemingly unlimited in his next four university seasons, Nwoye admits he would love to be in a position to play at the next level.
It seems evident that Nwoye has become more than just Nill’s pet project. “Right now, I’ve got him starting in one of the (defensive line) positions,” says Nill, who personally works with the defensive line in practice. “I don’t know if he’s ready yet, but he’s definitely competing and that is a big thing. “Here’s a guy who was only 18 when he finished his second year of university,” continues Nill. “His attitude has been phenomenal. You can’t help but have some patience for him because you’re looking at a kid who is a diamond in the making.”
If last season was just a rough, early cut of what is to come, then there is a great chance that Nwoye, who has only been playing the game for about nine months now, will achieve a lasting brilliance.


http://vancouversun.com/sports/football/diamond-in-the-rough-ubcs-charles-nwoye-goes-from-beginner-to-champion

[jerrym]

The following article ranks the top ten CIS cities in Canada with Montreal first, Guelph second and Toronto third.

https://gradeslam.org/blog/the-top-10-university-cities-in-canada

[jerrym]

The article below discusses how under appreciated the CIS is. It also includes a video.


Canada has devoted fans for sports from hockey to football to basketball to curling and well beyond, but all of those sports are contested at a high level nationally where they don't draw much attention.
That would be Canadian Interuniversity Sport (http://en.cis-sic.ca/), which has (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/more-sports/new-cis-head-graham-brown-aiming-to-boost-campus-brands/article26552867/) 56 member universities from coast to coast with 11,500 athletes, and regulates national competition in 12 different sports (men's football, women's rugby and field hockey, and men's and women's basketball, cross-country, curling, hockey, soccer, swimming, track and field, volleyball and wrestling; many universities also compete in other sports on more regional levels). CIS has produced countless highly-successful Olympians and other professional athletes, and its competitions make for great viewing at a cheap price, but they're off the radar for many Canadian sports fans.
That's why there's something to be said for University of Calgary Dinos' quarterback Andrew Buckley's comments Monday (http://calgaryherald.com/sports/football/andrew-buckley-caps-off-cis-career-with-blg-award) (after being honoured as Canada's top male university athlete at the BLG Awards (https://ca.news.yahoo.com/quarterback-andrew-buckley-swimmer-kylie-masse-winners-blg-023008080--spt.html); Olympic-bound swimmer Kylie Masse from the University of Toronto Varsity Blues was named the top female athlete) about how CIS deserves more attention:

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/eh-game/cis-might-be-canada-s-best-kept-sporting-secret-184304155.html

[rdavies]

The following article ranks the top ten CIS cities in Canada (https://gradeslam.org/blog/the-top-10-university-cities-in-canada)with Montreal first, Guelph second and Toronto third. That article gets an "F" for not including Halifax.

[ArgoRavi]

The article below discusses how under appreciated the CIS is. It also includes a video.

https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/eh-game/cis-might-be-canada-s-best-kept-sporting-secret-184304155.html

When OV writes about the failures of the Canadian sports media, the coverage of CIS in this country can be high on his list and rightfully so IMO. We can watch all kinds of NCAA sports, especially football and basketball, in Canada but precious little of the CIS variety.

[jerrym]

In 2016, 53 CIS players were selected in the CFL draft with Laval Rouge et Or leading the way with 8 selections including: # 2. Philippe Gagnon, Laval, OL (by Montreal); 5. Charles Vaillancourt, Laval, OL (by British Columbia); 7. Jason Lauzon-Séguin, Laval, OL (by Ottawa); (28th overall) Shayne Gauthier, Laval, LB (by Winnipeg); (38th overall) Jean-Philippe Bolduc, Laval, DB (by Calgary); (39th overall) Félix Faubert-Lussier, Laval, WR (by Hamilton); (42nd overall) Pierre-Luc Caron, Laval, LB (by Calgary); and (69th overall) Guillaume Tremblay-Lebel, Laval, LB (by Ottawa). The following article includes all 53CIS drafted players.


Philippe Gagnon, an offensive lineman from Laval University, was the first CIS player selected in the 2016 CFL Canadian Draft when the Montreal Alouettes called his name at No. 2, on Tuesday evening.
For all the information on the CFL Canadian Draft: www.cfl.ca (http://www.cfl.ca/)

The first overall selection, by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, was offensive lineman Josiah St. John from the University of Oklahoma, marking the second straight year than an NCAA player topped the charts after an eight-year CIS stranglehold on the first pick from 2007 to 2014.

Overall, 53 CIS standouts were selected out of 70 total picks (75.7%). The tally is the second best in league history, trailing only the whopping 59 CIS stars chosen in 2014 out of 65 total selections (90.8%). A year ago, CIS players made up 71% of draftees (44 out of 62).

Other CIS representatives to go in the first round were Acadia wide receiver Brian Jones at No. 4 (Toronto), as well as two more members of the dominating Laval offensive line, Charles Vaillancourt at No. 5 (British Columbia) and Jason Lauzon-Séguin at No. 7 (Ottawa).


http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/fball/2015-16/releases/cfldraft

[jerrym]

Western had 6 Mustangs drafted.



The Canadian Football League added a few more Mustangs on Tuesday night as six members of the current Western roster were selected in the 2016 CFL Canadian Draft. <dfn style="font-style: normal; box-sizing: content-box; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial; font-size: 12px;">Sean Jamieson (http://westernmustangs.ca/roster.aspx?rp_id=22301)</dfn>, <dfn style="font-style: normal; box-sizing: content-box; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial; font-size: 12px;">George Johnson (http://westernmustangs.ca/roster.aspx?rp_id=22270)</dfn>, <dfn style="font-style: normal; box-sizing: content-box; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial; font-size: 12px;">Josh Woodman (http://westernmustangs.ca/roster.aspx?rp_id=22283)</dfn>, <dfn style="font-style: normal; box-sizing: content-box; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial; font-size: 12px;">Rupert Butcher (http://westernmustangs.ca/roster.aspx?rp_id=22304)</dfn>, <dfn style="font-style: normal; box-sizing: content-box; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial; font-size: 12px;">Jamal Kett (http://westernmustangs.ca/roster.aspx?rp_id=22345)</dfn>, and <dfn style="font-style: normal; box-sizing: content-box; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial; font-size: 12px;">Matt Uren (http://westernmustangs.ca/roster.aspx?rp_id=22271)</dfn> all had their names called as they brought the number of Western players selected in the CFL Draft to 39 over the past 16 years.

Jamieson was the first Mustangs player off the board as the Montreal Alouettes selected him in the third round, 20th overall. .... A Winnipeg native, Jamieson is a two-time OUA First Team All-Star and CIS All-Canadian and was integral part of the Mustangs offensive line over the past four seasons. The 6-7 guard helped the Mustangs offence to a record-breaking season in 2015, establishing CIS milestones in points (494) and touchdowns (64), as well as an OUA record for rushing yards (2,947).

A CIS All-Canadian and two-time OUA All-Star, Johnson recorded 116 catches for 1,848 yards and eight touchdowns, while averaging 15.9 yards per catch in 27 regular season games. He hauled in 32 passes in 2015, racking up 540 yards and one touchdown in the regular season, before adding another 128 yards on 14 catches in the playoffs. ...

Woodman emerged as one of the OUA's top defensive backs over the past two seasons and has been a key part of the Mustangs defence. He's recorded 53.5 tackles, 49 solo, in 18 regular season games while adding nine interceptions and breaking up eight passes. He continued to impress in postseason play, recording 11 solo tackles in six games.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers added Rupert Butcher to their roster in the sixth round, selecting the defensive lineman 46th overall. Standing at 6-5 and weighing in at more than 300 pounds, Butcher used his size to dominate throughout the entire season and earn himself an OUA All-Star nod. The London native recorded 22 total tackles – 15 solo – across 18 games, with 4.5 sacks. The postseason saw him add an additional 10.5 tackles and three sacks.

Butcher rounded out his best year as a Mustang by grabbing national attention at the CFL Combine. Noted as being nearly unblockable, he also proved to be light on his feet as he came out on top of the one-on-one competition.

The Ottawa Redblacks were the next team to add a member of the Mustangs roster, selecting Jamal Kett in the seventh round, 60th overall. ... Kett immediately became one of the top receivers on the roster in his debut season at Western. The 6-5 Social Science student saw the field in seven games, recording two touchdowns and 338 yards on 21 receptions. ...

Rounding out the Mustangs players selected on Tuesday night was Matt Uren, who went in the eighth round, 67th overall, to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Uren will join four other former Mustangs on the Ticats roster, including Beau Landry, Craig Butler, Andy Fantuz, and Ricky Osei-Kusi. One of the most exciting players in recent Mustangs history, Uren helped the Mustangs to two undefeated regular seasons in 2013 and 2015, and earned the Dalt White Trophy as Yates Cup MVP in 2013. The London native led all Western players with 535 receiving yards in 2015, catching 35 passes and scoring four touchdowns.

http://westernmustangs.ca/news/2016/5/10/football-six-current-mustangs-players-selected-in-2016-cfl-draft.aspx

[jerrym]

The McMaster Marauders had five players chosen in the CFL draft reflecting the strength of their program.



Wayne Moore led the way on a busy night for the Marauder football program, as five McMaster players were selected by Canadian Football League teams over the course of Tuesday’s CFL Entry Draft.
The fourth-year running back was chosen by the Montreal Alouettes with the 11th overall pick in the second round, becoming the first member of the OUA to be selected. Moore was the fourth McMaster running back to be selected in the CFL Draft, following in the footsteps of former BLG Award winners Kojo Aidoo (2003) and Jesse Lumsden (2005), and Andre Sadeghian (2007). He finished the 2015 season with a total of 565 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Halfback Declan Cross was the second McMaster name to be called on Tuesday, as the Toronto Argonauts chose the versatile offensive weapon with the 27th overall pick in the fourth round. Known well for his blocking prowess, Cross missed four games due to injury in 2015, but finished the season with 42 yards receiving and 23 rushing.
A stalwart on Mac’s offensive line, Zach Intzandt followed his Marauder teammates by being selected by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers with the 37th overall pick in the fifth round. A regular starter since his second year in Maroon and Grey, Intzandt sucessfully made the transition across the trenches early in his McMaster career.
Across the line, defensive end Mike Kashak was the next McMaster player to be selected, being chosen by the Calgary Stampeders with the 51st overall selection in the sixth round. A key member of the suffocating defensive unit that led McMaster to the Vanier Cup in 2014, Kashak racked up 25 tackles in 2015, including 12 for a loss and eight sacks.
Despite spending a year away from the Marauders, John Ngeleka’s skills as a defensive back and special teams ace were valued highly enough for the Toronto Argonauts to make him their second McMaster pick and seventh round choice with the 58th overall selection. In his last Mac action, Ngeleka posted 9.5 tackles in a full season of action in 2014, and was a regular starter in the playoff run that culminated in an appearance in the 50th Vanier Cup in Montreal.

http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/6550037-wayne-moore-headlines-group-of-five-marauders-chosen-in-2016-cfl-draft/

[jerrym]

Five UBC Thunderbirds were selected in the draft including: 9th overall / DB / Taylor Loffler / Winnipeg Blue Bombers / UBC; 21st overall / LB / Terrell Davis / Hamilton Tiger-Cats / UBC; 26th overall / K/P / Quinn van Gylswyk / Saskatchewan Roughriders / UBC; 59th overall / LB / Mitchell Barnett / Hamilton Tiger-Cats / UBC; 65th overall / DL / Boyd Richardson / British Columbia Lions / UBC.
http://www.canadawest.org/sports/fball/2016-17/releases/20160510cfldraft

[jerrym]

Calgary Dinos had 4 players selected with



Timmis was the first Dinos alum selected in the CFL Draft on Tuesday evening when the Hamilton Tiger Cats picked the native of nearby Burlington, Ont. with the 14th overall pick.
“This is huge, this is huge,” Timmis said. “I’m coming back home, it’s pretty cool.
“This is the best choice, I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Timmis was the second running back chosen in the draft — McMaster’s Wayne Moore was selected 11th by the Montreal Alouettes — and will be joining a Ticats organization that he supported growing up while making family trips to the old Ivor Wynne Stadium.
It’s also a team where he may have the opportunity to contribute immediately. The Ticats finished third-last in team rushing in 2015 and didn’t have a single player finish in the top-10 in total yards. ...


Only nine picks after Timmis was selected, the B.C. Lions picked receiver Brett Blaszko with the 23rd overall pick. ...
Blaszko was widely projected to go in the second or third round, so he wasn’t shocked to hear his name called with the sixth selection of Round 3. What was surprising — pleasantly so — was his CFL destination. In Blaszko, the Lions are getting a big, quick and versatile receiver who became a favourite target for Dinos QB Andrew Buckley over the past couple seasons. On a team with no shortage of receiving options, the 6-foot-4 Blaszko fought through an early injury to finish with 336 yards in six games in 2015. ...


One pick after Blaszko was selected, the Saskatchewan Roughriders took another Dino off the board when they chose Elie Bouka at No. 24. The Laval, Que., native surely would have heard his name called significantly earlier in the draft, but the defensive back signed a contract with the Arizona Cardinals last month and there’s no guarantee that he’ll be making his way back north of the border anytime soon.
Former Dinos linebacker Alex Ogbongbemiga was selected with the first pick of the fifth round, 36th overall by the Roughriders after impressing last season with the PFC’s Calgary Colts.


http://calgaryherald.com/sports/football/cfl/mercer-timmis-leads-calgary-dinos-cfl-draft-contingent

[jerrym]

Four University of Manitoba Bisons were selected in the 2016 CFL draft.



Led by defensive lineman David Onyemata at 35th overall by Saskatchewan Roughriders, offensive lineman Alex McKay picked 52nd overall by Saskatchewan, slotback Alex Vitt at 55th overall by Winnipeg Blue Bombers and linebacker DJ Lalama was 70th overall pick by Edmonton Eskimos
In the CFL Draft, the Manitoba Bisons have now accounted for the third most university football players drafted since 2001 with 37 selections, while Laval leads with 50 and second place Calgary with 43 during the last 16 drafts. The Bisons had players selected in 13 of the last 16 CFL Drafts: 2001 (2), 2002 (7), 2003 (3), 2005 (3), 2006 (1), 2007 (2), 2008 (5), 2009 (1), 2010 (1), 2012 (1), 2014 (5), 2015 (2) and 2016 (4). ...

The Saskatchewan Roughriders selected <dfn style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">David Onyemata (http://gobisons.ca/roster.aspx?rp_id=1636)</dfn> in the fourth round (35th overall). Onyemata, 23, made history as the first Manitoba Bisons football player selected in the NFL (National Football League) Draft as he was drafted by New Orleans Saints in the 4th round (120th overall pick) in the 2016 NFL Draft on Saturday, April, 30. ...

The Saskatchewan Roughriders selected <dfn style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">Alex McKay (http://gobisons.ca/roster.aspx?rp_id=1632)</dfn> in the sixth round (52nd overall). McKay, 25, started and played in all eight conference regular season games plus one playoff game in 2015. The 6'5", 285 lbs. tackle has played four years and did not miss a start at left tackle (32 consecutive games in regular season and seven in post-season) at Manitoba and the Winnipeg native was a 2013 Canada West All-Star. ...

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers selected <dfn style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">Alex Vitt (http://gobisons.ca/roster.aspx?rp_id=1646)</dfn> in the seventh round (55th overall). Vitt, 25, was a first time captain in his fourth year with the Herd and finished fourth in conference receiving yards with 711 (on 30 receptions) plus tied for fifth most receiving TDs with four in eight conference regular season games in 2015. ...

The Edmonton Eskimos selected <dfn style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">DJ Lalama (http://gobisons.ca/roster.aspx?rp_id=1625)</dfn> in the eighth round (70th overall). Lalama, 22, was a co-captain for the first time with the Bisons in 2015 in his third season at Manitoba. The 6'1", 230 lbs. linebacker tied for 15th in the conference with 36 total tackles (27 solo) and tied for fifth in Canada West with 5.5 tackles for losses, while playing in six of eight conference regular season games during the 2015 season.


http://www.cfl.ca/game-broadcast/

[jerrym]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lots covered in <a href="https://twitter.com/MichaelFaulds">@MichaelFaulds</a>&#39;s update, including: recruiting news, game tix on sale, <a href="https://twitter.com/WLUAthletics">@WLUAthletics</a> site &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFLTC?src=hash">#CFLTC</a>! <a href="https://t.co/TZHdnd8tKr">https://t.co/TZHdnd8tKr</a></p>&mdash; Laurier Football (@LaurierFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/LaurierFootball/status/738786530026749952">June 3, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[jerrym]

Just one year after U of M Bisons defensive lineman David Onyemata's unprecedented pro-day attracted scouts from more than half of the NFL's teams, resulting in Onyemata being drafted and cracking the New Orleans Saints roster, offensive lineman Geoff Gray will have his own NFL showcase.
Gray's big day is set for March 30 at the soccer complex in south Winnipeg, where NFL reps will put him through the paces to see if they might want to spend a draft pick on the 6-foot-6, 310-pound Winnipegger.
“That would be the best case,” Gray told the Winnipeg Sun, Thursday. “But there are still guys who have successful careers just signing as a free agent. It wouldn't be the end of the world by any means.”
No it wouldn't. That is, after all, how the first Bison to make the NFL, Israel Idonije, did it. Idonije, the Cinderella story out of Brandon, went on to a decade-long career down south.
Last year, Onyemata began a similar against-all-odds trek, even one-upping Idonije by becoming the first Bison selected in the NFL draft.
Gray could pull off his own first: as the first Manitoba-born player drafted south of the border -- Onyemata and Idonije were born in Nigeria.
What are the odds?
Bisons head coach Brian Dobie says he's received calls about Gray from around 15 NFL teams, and so has Gray's Canadian agent.
“Numerous teams have asked us to hold one (a pro-day),” Montreal-based agent Darren Gill said. “I've represented several players who have been draft eligible. But this is the most interest I've seen on a player and most demands for a pro day.”
As a result, Gill and Gray have decided to withdraw from the CFL combine, March 23-25, in Regina, where CFL coaches and GM's poke, prod and measure the top prospects for the CFL draft.


http://www.winnipegsun.com/2017/02/16/nfl-is-coming-to-winnipeg-to-check-out-bisons-lineman#.WKZJA6R8f9k.twitter

[jerrym]

While Manitoba is losing graduating Geoff Gray this year, it is also adding a top prospect.



defensive tackle Cole Adamson of the Oak Park Raiders, who capped his senior season by being named the Winnipeg High School Football League’s Defensive Player of the Year (Potter Division) and the winner of the Kas Vidruk Memorial Award as lineman of the year.
Adamson, a 6-5, 265 beast, had whittled his long list of potential destinations down to Manitoba and the University of British Columbia before settling on the Bisons.
“He was recruited by everybody,” said Dobie. “We all talk about recruiting battles across the country. It’s the biggest part of our job, it’s the most important part of our job. The battles were left behind… it literally turned into a recruiting war.
“Guys like Cole Adamson do not grow on trees. He’s a 6-foot-5 265-pound defensive tackle who is athletic… he plays on the No. 1 basketball team, Oak Park High School, and is a major player on that team. I went out and watched him play basketball and I couldn’t believe how this kid moved up and down the court and how athletic he is.


http://www.bluebombers.com/2017/02/23/bisons-land-highly-sought-recruit-adamson/

[jerrym]

Below is a bio of the CFL's #2 ranked prospect: Laurier Golden Hawk Kwaku Boateng.


http://www.cfl.ca/2017/02/22/lauriers-boateng-gives-new-meaning-hard-work/

[jerrym]

More exposure for the success of CIS football, which provides the majority of CFL draftees, will come from expanded coverage of the 2017 Combines.



CFL.ca will have exclusive coverage of the 2017 Combine with continuous live streaming of the showcase’s premier events, the Bench Press and 40-Yard Dash. And for the first time, all 1-on-1 player drills will be aired with analysts Marshall Ferguson, James Cybulski and Davis Sanchez bringing you all the action.


http://www.cfl.ca/2017/02/09/rosters-set-cfl-reveals-list-2017-combine-participants/

[jerrym]

Former University of Regina Rams DT NFL free agent Stefan Charles has signed with Jacksonville.



The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed fifth-year DT Stefan Charles as an unrestricted free agent, the club announced today. Charles, 28, has appeared in 49 career games and has previously spent time with Detroit and Buffalo after originally signing with Tennessee as a rookie free agent on May 10, 2013. After being released by Tennessee on Aug. 31, 2013, Charles signed with the Titans’ practice squad on Sept. 1, 2013. On Oct. 30, 2013, Charles was signed by Buffalo to the 53-man roster off Tennessee’s practice squad. During his time in Buffalo, Charles totaled 48 tackles (29 solo), including 5.0 sacks in 37 games. Charles was signed by Detroit as a free agent on March 11, 2016, and appeared in 12 games last season for the Lions, totaling 12 tackles (seven solo). Charles was placed on the team’s reserve/injured list on Dec. 28, 2016.
A native of Toronto, Ontario, Charles was the 10th overall pick by the Edmonton Eskimos in the 2013 CFL Draft. Prior to being drafted by Edmonton, Charles played three seasons of college football for the University of Regina Rams in Saskatchewan, Canada, appearing in 20 career games and totaling 50 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two passes defensed. Charles played the 2009 season with the Big Kahuna Rams (BCFC) before joining Regina. Charles, 6-5, 320, was born on June 9, 1988.
http://www.jaguars.com/news/article-JaguarsNews/Jaguars-sign-defensive-tackle-Stefan-Charles-as-unrestricted-free-agent/f40a8197-1777-4931-8e81-0f695b3e3f72

[jerrym]

Former Alouette OL Scott Flory has been named HC of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.



Flory bounced from the Huskies into a standout 15-year career with the Montreal Alouettes. He was twice named the CFL’s outstanding offensive lineman, and won three Grey Cups. After his playing career wrapped up, Flory spent two seasons as president of the Canadian Football League players association. His leadership was challenged in 2016, and the association replaced him with Jeff Keeping.

<iframe name="fsk_frame_splitbox" id="fsk_frame_splitbox" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-style: none; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 100%; width: 620px; height: 0px;"></iframe>
He joined the Huskies’ coaching staff in 2014 and served as the team’s offensive co-ordinator.
Towriss had long viewed Flory as potential head-coaching material.
“Every time we (got) together, there was a napkin out and we were drawing plays on it,” Towriss said after bringing Flory into the program in 2014. “(Flory) made no bones about the fact that when he retired, he wanted to coach.”


http://thestarphoenix.com/sports/local-sports/u-of-s-huskies/huskies-place-their-football-future-in-florys-hands

[jerrym]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Raiders, 49ers, Seahawks, Jets, Vikings, Packers, Chiefs, and Washington are here, as well as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Riders?src=hash">#Riders</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bombers?src=hash">#Bombers</a> to see Geoff Gray. <a href="https://t.co/SbAbgK5g3s">pic.twitter.com/SbAbgK5g3s</a></p>&mdash; Darrin Bauming (@DarrinBauming) <a href="https://twitter.com/DarrinBauming/status/847525431360147456">March 30, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[jerrym]

Gary's performance at the combines was impressive.



Gray weighed in at 315 pounds and measured just over 6-foot-5 with 79 5/8 inch wing span, 34-inch arm length and 9 3/8 inch hand size.
His vertical was 31 inches, which would have tied him for first at the CFL combine with Saskatchewan’s Evan Johnson and second at the NFL combine. ...
He followed that up with 25 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. ...
Then Gray posted 7.83 three-cone and 4.78 shuttle times. ...
Gray was named the Canada West Outstanding Down Lineman of the Year, making him a finalist for the J.P. Metras trophy for the 2016 USports football season. Then he earned an invite to the prestigious East-West Shrine Game (http://3downnation.com/2016/11/29/lavals-antony-auclair-manitobas-geoff-gray-invited-to-u-s-university-all-star-game/), the oldest American college football all-star showcase game.


http://3downnation.com/2017/03/30/top-cfl-prospect-geoff-gray-draws-nine-nfl-teams-pro-day/


<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">20-yard shittle Geoff Gray clocks in with a 4.78 tying him for 15th from the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFLcombine?src=hash">#NFLcombine</a> <a href="https://t.co/lOBqTelA1x">pic.twitter.com/lOBqTelA1x</a></p>&mdash; UM Bisons Football (@MBBisons) <a href="https://twitter.com/MBBisons/status/847520771001995265">March 30, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[jerrym]

Former Stampeder receiver Jabari Arthur is the new University of Calgary Dinos receivers coach.



“I’m like a rookie that’s just excited to get on the field and run around a little bit, that’s definitely me,” said Jabari Arthur, the Dinos’ new receivers coach. ...
Arthur, who played seven seasons in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders (he was briefly a Winnipeg Blue Bomber), assumes the position vacated by Justin Chapdelaine, who joins his father Jacques’ staff as receivers coach with the Montreal Alouettes.
“I’m really, really fortunate that I had a chance to come in and do spring ball,” the 34-year-old said. “But just like the new guys are coming in and everything is fast-paced and they’re going to have work really hard for the game to slow down, it’s kind of the same thing for me also. It’s my first go-around ever as a real coach with a unit and learning the offence. So it was a little bit fast-paced for me, but the coaching staff have been absolutely awesome with me.

<iframe name="fsk_frame_splitbox" id="fsk_frame_splitbox" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-style: none; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; max-width: 100%; width: 620px; height: 0px;"></iframe>

“But the preparation … I couldn’t even imagine how much goes into one practice. That’s something I’m really enjoying, I feel like I’m back in the hunt again, chasing something.”
The timing of this opportunity was quite serendipitous.
“I was jogging off a football field and physically ran into the offensive coordinator, Ryan Sheahan,” Arthur said. “I was about to say ‘watch where you’re going’. But we started talking, we e-mailed each other, he said there was an opportunity here so I essentially said I would love to have the opportunity to coach with you guys and here I am. Living here in the city, playing with the Stamps, pretty much sharing the same field, they’re almost like our little brothers. We have a lot of guys on the Stamps who played with the Dinos so I’ve always followed them. They’re a great organization, one of the top in the country every year, and I didn’t hesitate.”


http://calgaryherald.com/sports/football/former-stamp-jabari-arthur-joins-dinos-staff

[argolio]

Article on the gap between CIS haves and have-nots.
http://www.cisblog.ca/2017/08/football-laval-will-be-on-top-until.html

[gilthethrill]

Article on the gap between CIS haves and have-nots.
http://www.cisblog.ca/2017/08/football-laval-will-be-on-top-until.html

Nothing better than having both CFL and CIS football seasons on the go at the same time!

[argofandave]

CHCHtv announced that they'll have a weekly half hour show on OUA football starting this Thursday night at 11:30pm, repeated at 1pm on Saturday, and hosted by Jim Mullin.

[jerrym]

Sportsnet has ranked the top 50 CIS players all-time at the url below. While I disagree with quite a few of the rankings, the one that I dispute the most is ranking Mike O'Shea 45th. Even their own comment on O'Shea that "His final season at Guelph (1992) might be the best year from a CIS defender" doesn't make sense in terms of their ranking.


Mike O’Shea | Linebacker | Guelph 1989-92When you think of Guelph football, you think of Mike O’Shea — tough, resilient and daring on special teams. When you look at his body of work at both levels of the Canadian game, you could make a compelling argument that he is the greatest Canadian defender of all-time. O’Shea still holds the team record for career sacks with 19 and ranks fourth in total career tackles with 310. His final season at Guelph (1992) might be the best year from a CIS defender — his accolades that season included First-Team OUAA All-Star, CIAU All-Canadian and OUAA Defensive Player of the Year, and he led the Gryphs to a Yates Cup. He would go on to play 271 regular season CFL games and win three Grey Cups along the way. Pat Tracey, O’Shea’s defensive coordinator at Guelph, said: “He led the team in QB sacks but also had the speed and range to drop into coverage and play on the top running backs”

http://www.sportsnet.ca/usports/top-50-cis-football-players-of-vanier-cup-era/

[jerrym]

Montreal Carabins continue to lead the national rankings while Waterloo has made its first appearance on the list since 2007.



Montreal (3-0) received 18 of 19 first-place votes and 189 points from the Football Reporters of Canada panel to remain comfortably ahead of the reigning Vanier Cup champion Laval Rouge et Or (2-1), who collected 166 points.
For the second week in a row, the lone first-place nod to elude the Carabins went to the third-ranked Calgary Dinos (3-0), who tallied 151 total points.
Rounding out the new top 10 are the No. 4 Western Mustangs (4-0 / 147 points / no change), No. 5 Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (3-0 / 105 / no change), No. 6 Regina Rams (2-1 / 90 / no change), No. 7 UBC Thunderbirds (2-1 / 62 / up three positions), No. 8 McMaster Marauders (2-1 / 61 / up one), No. 9 Waterloo (4-0 / 25 / previously unranked) and No. 10 Saskatchewan Huskies (2-1 / 14 / down three).


http://3downnation.com/2017/09/20/usports-football-top-10-waterloo-ranked-first-time-since-2007/

[Will]

Good to see one of the 'have-nots' making a name for themselves.

[ArgoGabe22]

York is still Yorking, but Waterloo has come out of nowhere.

[gilthethrill]

York is still Yorking, but Waterloo has come out of nowhere.

I plan on making the short drive to see either the Warriors or Golden Hawks this season.

[jerrym]

York is still Yorking, but Waterloo has come out of nowhere.

While the Carabins remain #1, York stopped Yorking for at least this week.

http://3downnation.com/2017/09/25/usports-round-can-carabins-stopped/

[PullTogether73]

Nothing stops a losing streak better than a game against the Varsity Blues.:ohno:


And I see that Waterloo came back down to earth at the hands of the Golden Hawks. Ouch!:sick:

[jerrym]

According to 3downnation, the Ontario University Football Conference is considering whether it should introduce non-contact practices.

[argofandave]

Panda game on CHCHtv in Hamilton this afternoon starting at 1pm.

[jerrym]

Panda game on CHCHtv in Hamilton this afternoon starting at 1pm.

For those who've attended Carleton U or Ottawa Zoo (guess which one I went to) this is the game of the year as the expected 24,000+ fans in attendance attests.

https://www.cfl.ca/2017/09/29/game-welcome-panda/

[jerrym]

The Carleton Ravens edged the Ottawa Gee Gees 33-30 in double overtime for their fourth consecutive win in front of a record crowd of 24,420,

http://charlatan.ca/2017/09/carleton-ravens-win-fourth-panda-game-in-a-row/

[argolio]

Pretty good game, except for the endless TV technical difficulties.

[jerrym]

UBC Thunderbird HC Blake Nill considers junior Trivel Pinto a potential #1 overall draft pick when the 2019 CFL draft occurs. Nill sees Pinto as a key player in the team's drive for a playoff spot.



“He had told me personally and it was great,” Pinto, the T-Birds’ star receiver and return man, said of coach Nill’s declarations that Pinto could be the top pick in the 2019 CFL draft, “and then he started using it in the media and I was like, ‘Whoa, he really believes that.’ “It caught me off guard when he started doing that. He really does think that highly of me. You want your coach to believe in you. It’s a good feeling.”
Pinto, a third-year pass catcher from Brampton, Ont., is one of the players that Nill will need to come through down the stretch if the TBirds are going to do damage in the U Sports football playoffs.
UBC (3-2) has three games left in the Canada West regular season heading into a Saturday visit (6 p.m.) to the Saskatchewan Huskies (2-3), and Nill’s bunch are tied with the Regina Rams (3-2) for second place, trailing the Calgary Dinos (5-0). The top four teams make the Canada West post-season. ...
Pinto tops UBC in receptions (27), reception yardage (357), touchdown catches (three) and allpurpose yards (632) despite missing a game with an undisclosed injury. He’s third in Canada West in all-purpose yards per game (158) and sixth in reception yards per game (89.3).
“He’s a pretty special kid,” Nill said of the six-foot, 195-pound Pinto. “Every team is gunning for him. They know what he brings and he’s still making things happen. He’s one of the better players in the country and it’s up to us, as coaches, to manage him well. It’s up to us, as coaches, to match him up well. We do that, and you’re going to see even more out of him.”
Pinto is one of the holdovers from UBC’s 2015 Vanier Cup national champions. Another was supposed to be receiver/return man Marcus Davis, but Nill confirmed this week that he’s been shut down for the season with a left knee injury. It’s the second straight campaign that he’s had his year come to an early end due to an issue with that knee.


https://www.pressreader.com/canada/vancouver-sun/20171013/282209421080219

[OV Argo]

UBC Thunderbird HC Blake Nill considers junior Trivel Pinto a potential #1 overall draft pick when the 2019 CFL draft occurs. Nill sees Pinto as a key player in the team's drive for a playoff spot.



https://www.pressreader.com/canada/vancouver-sun/20171013/282209421080219

I was impressed by Pinto in that UBC Vanier win season a couple of years back - good receiver and returner.

IF he puts up some real good testing #s at the CFL Combine in his draft year, he could be a #1 overall type prospect, but lots of time till then, and lots of guys could emerge as top prospects by then - most likely an O-lineman would be higher rated as per CFL GOB standard thinking. When will that Ohio QB Rourke be up for the CFL draft ? - a Canadian QB going #1 overall ? = pigs will be flying somewhere first. ;o)

[jerrym]

The top four teams kept their rankings last week, but the following teams all moved up one place: McMaster moved up to fifth, UBC to sixth and Guelph to ninth. Guelph and St. Mary's moved down.



Calgary needed 16 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to edge visiting Manitoba 36-27. UBC was outscored 23-6 by Saskatchewan in the final frame but held on for a 29-25 home victory. Regina escaped with a 58-55 decision against Alberta following a pair of overtime shootout sessions in Edmonton.
However, the most unexpected result of the weekend came in Guelph, where the Gryphons held defending OUA champion Laurier to 186 yards of total offence en route to a 24-14 triumph. It marked the Golden Hawks’ first loss to a conference opponent other than Western since a 30-21 setback against McMaster on Oct. 17, 2015.


http://3downnation.com/2017/10/18/usports-football-top-10-mcmaster-ubc-guelph-on-the-rise/

[jerrym]

Montreal's loss to Laval over the weekend has changed the ranking at the top of the CIS list.



After spending the last four weeks in second position behind the Montreal Carabins, Calgary (7-0) moves up to No. 1 in the new media poll after receiving nine of 17 first-place votes and 159 points from the Football Reporters of Canada panel. The Dinos had last topped the national rankings in 2015, when they dominated the last eight polls of the campaign from mid-September to early November.
The second-ranked Laval Rouge et Or (6-1) and No. 3 Western Mustangs (8-0) also move up one spot this week thanks to 156 and 136-point tallies, respectively. Laval, with six, and Western, with two, also split the remaining first-place nods.
Montreal (5-1), which had topped six straight rankings dating back to Sept. 12, drops all the way to No. 4 this week following its first loss of the season, to archrival Laval. The Carabins merited 126 points from the FRC.
Rounding out the ninth top 10 of 2017 are the No. 5 Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (6-2 / 95 points / up two positions), No. 6 UBC Thunderbirds (5-2 / 86 / no change), No. 7 McMaster Marauders (6-2 / 56 / down two), No. 8 Regina Rams (4-3 / 42 / no change), No. 9 Guelph Gryphons (5-3 / 40 / no change), as well as the No. 10 Acadia Axemen (6-2 / 21), who join the elite club for the first time this fall.


http://calgaryherald.com/sports/football/cfl/calgary-stampeders/5-takeaways-from-stampeders-loss-to-roughriders

[jerrym]

Calgary Dino's reign at the top of the CIS list didn't last long as they were crushed 53-3 by the Alberta Golden Bears on the weekend.

[jerrym]

With Calgary's loss, Laval's Rouge et Or returned to the top of the standings as the playoffs approach.



The Laval Rouge et Or (7-1), who opened the campaign at No. 1 back in late August, return to the top this week after receiving 11 of 16 first-place votes and 154 points from the Football Reporters of Canada panel.
The second-ranked Western Mustangs (8-0) and No. 3 Montreal Carabins (6-1) also move up one spot in the new media poll thanks to 145 and 124-point tallies, respectively. The only undefeated team in the country in league play, Western earned all remaining first-place nods.
Following a lopsided loss in their regular season finale, the Calgary Dinos (7-1) fall all the way from No. 1 to No. 4 with 120 points.
Rounding out the penultimate top 10 of 2017 are the No. 5 Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (6-2 / 92 points / no change), No. 6 UBC Thunderbirds (6-2 / 83 / no change), No. 7 McMaster Marauders (7-2 / 55 / no change), No. 8 Guelph Gryphons (6-3 / 47 / up one position), No. 9 Regina Rams (4-4 / 27 / down one) and No. 10 Acadia Axemen (6-2 / 24 / no change).
The post-season kicked off last weekend in the OUA, with Western and Laurier enjoying first-round byes. In quarter-final action from Hamilton and the nation’s capital, McMaster built a 12-0 halftime lead and then hung on for a narrow 12-9 win over visiting Queen’s, while Guelph outscored Ottawa 20-0 in the opening quarter en route to a comfortable 30-8 victory.


https://usports.ca/en/sports/football/m/news/2017/10/1422654320/football-top-10

[gilthethrill]

Looking forward to attending the Wilfred Laurier- MacMaster game in nearby Kitchener on Saturday.

[jerrym]

Two of the top Canadian CIS QBs will be playing against each other as UBC hosts Regina in the playoffs on the weekend.



Take Michael O’Connor’s completion percentage and his grade point average and add them together and here’s betting there’s not another U Sports quarterback in the country with a higher combined total. ...O’Connor, the UBC Thunderbirds third-year pivot, has been a well-documented success on the football field, highlighted by leading the Thunderbirds to the Vanier Cup national title two seasons ago. He’s done well in the classroom as well, evidenced by him landing academic all-Canadian status for 2016-17 after attaining an average of more than 80 per cent at UBC’s Sauder School of Business. ...
The winner of Saturday’s game between UBC (6-2) and Regina (4-4) advances to the Hardy Cup final the following week. That’s two steps away from a spot in the Vanier Cup. The Canadian championship is to be contested on Nov. 25 in Hamilton, Ont.
Even with so much on the line, O’Connor insists he doesn’t change his routine this week. The Orleans, Ont., native says he’ll try to get his school work out of the way early and spend whatever extra time he has left between that and practice watching film on the Rams.“It’s the same process all year,” explained O’Connor, who maintains that UBC’s academics were part of the draw when he was looking for a university to transfer to after leaving Penn State in 2015. “It’s definitely about a good balance between school and football. It takes a lot of discipline and time management.”O’Connor has connected on 67.5 per cent (183-of-271) of his passes, totalling 2,308 yards along the way. He’s thrown for 14 touchdowns while getting intercepted five times.All of that includes going 14-of19 for 200 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions last Saturday at Thunderbird Stadium in a 44-15 win over Regina. ...

The game will be yet another showdown between two of the best quarterbacks in the country. Regina pass-thrower Noah Picton is the reigning Hec Crighton Trophy winner as U Sports most outstanding player.
This season, he’s completed 68.8 per cent (207-of-301) of his passes for 2,491 yards with 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He was just 13-of-18 for 106 yards with no touchdowns and one interception last week.


https://www.pressreader.com/canada/vancouver-sun/20171101/282041917392836

[OV Argo]

Some interesting further CIS play-offs coming up.

Montreal vs. Laval might be a classic - they have had some real tough, close battles the past few years.

Dinos vs. UBC could be very good too - maybe UBC QB O'Connor can establish himself further as a great CIS QB with another play-off win (like his Vanier winning season)

Western is rolling over the OUA - with a powerhouse ground attack (nice to see that somewhere still in Canadian football) but they have a good QB in Merchant too. Laurier upset them last year but i would bet heavily against that happening again.

The AUS is still the weak sister but you never know come one big game in the semis? - SMU young QB seems like a good dual threat passer/runner - going by his stats.

[gilthethrill]

Some interesting further CIS play-offs coming up.

Montreal vs. Laval might be a classic - they have had some real tough, close battles the past few years.

Dinos vs. UBC could be very good too - maybe UBC QB O'Connor can establish himself further as a great CIS QB with another play-off win (like his Vanier winning season)

Western is rolling over the OUA - with a powerhouse ground attack (nice to see that somewhere still in Canadian football) but they have a good QB in Merchant too. Laurier upset them last year but i would bet heavily against that happening again.

The AUS is still the weak sister but you never know come one big game in the semis? - SMU young QB seems like a good dual threat passer/runner - going by his stats.

OV I was at the Laurier game Saturday. They really need their starting QB back against Western to even have a chance.

[jerrym]

Dinos vs. UBC could be very good too - maybe UBC QB O'Connor can establish himself further as a great CIS QB with another play-off win (like his Vanier winning season)

Despite a late comeback the Regina Rams lost the UBC 28-21 in the semi-final game with O'Connor playing an important role in the win.



O'Connor was 17-30 on the night with 259 passing yards and three touchdowns through the air. ...
Alex Morrison hauled in 66 and four-yard touchdown receptions from Michael O'Connor in the first quarter to jump out in front. ...
O'Connor struck again at the start of the second quarter after the Rams conceded another safety, finding Pinto from 28 yards out to stretch the lead to 23-2.


http://reginarams.com/news/2017/11/4/football-rams-with-late-push-but-fall-28-21-to-thunderbirds-in-hardy-cup-semifinal.aspx?path=football

[jerrym]

The Loney Bowl for the Atlantic University Championship has been cancelled because Saint Mary Huskies have been disqualified due to an eligibility issue. As a result of this, the Acadia Axemen have been declared the conference champions. While the governing body did not identify the player involved, it is believed to be Archelaus Jack.



Jack was signed to the Saskatchewan Roughriders practice roster on July 12, 2016, where he stayed until October 11, 2016, which might have called his eligibility into question.


https://3downnation.com/2017/11/09/former-riders-receiver-at-centre-of-usports-eligibility-controversy/

[OV Argo]

Two exciting, hard fought, down to the wire National quarter-final games:

Laval win over Montreal in another close, tough game between the 2 Q powerhouses. Carabins had the ball on the Laval 37 (i think it was) in the last minute but chose to try a pass instead of going for a game tying FG (???).

Calgary beats UBC on a last play 59 yard FG (!!! - new CIS ball record i believe) - in a high-scoring shoot-out.

Western blows out Laurier in The Yates and IMO looks like the Vanier favorite - powerhouse offence with a very good QB in Merchant, big, strong O-line and a powerful running attack (Cedric Joseph was dominant this game with their #1 back Alex Taylor out - he might be back next game) - they are a ground heavy offence but can still do damage with the pass; i was also quite impressed with some of their D play-makers - LBs Vanin, Sopik & Poulin in particular; but their secondary might be hurt by a strong passing game that the Dinos have.

What a joke/farce that the AUS title gets handed to Acadia because of an inelligible player by SMU thing. Acadia might get slaughtered by Western but you never know with one game - at home and they had the best run defence in the AUS.


Also - what a joke/farce that all these big CIS ball play-off games are not on National TV and promoted/hyped. I got to watch the Ontario game on CHCH; but did not have the French TVA in my sat. package to get to watch the Q title game; the West Hardy Cup was not on TV that i could tell; neither would have the AUS title game if it was played. Meanhwile, I could probably have watched a half dozen or more US college ball games on TV today. Sad/pathetic - the lack or respect for Canadian football by a lot of the media in it's own country.

[jerrym]

The cancellation of the Loney Bowl is becoming a messy situation as St. Mary's has taken the issue to court.



People awaiting the fate of the Atlantic University Sports (AUS) championship football game between St. Mary's University and Acadia University that was cancelled two days ago may have to wait at least one more day for an answer. ...

The controversy stems from a league participation rule that dictates any former CFL player, or anyone who remains on a CFL team's practice roster after Aug. 15, has to wait one year before playing for a university team. Wide receiver Archelaus Jack played in every Saint Mary's game this season. He was released from the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders practice roster on Oct. 11, 2016. SMU said it reached an agreement on Oct. 27 with the national governing body for university sports, U Sports, after concerns arose about Jack's eligibility to play. ...
According to a written decision by Ontario Superior Court Judge Todd Archibald released on Friday, U Sports agreed not to investigate the eligibility issue in exchange for SMU not pursuing legal action against it.
The decision also states that SMU said its understanding of the one-year CFL rule was that it was one academic year, not a calendar year, meaning Jack was only ineligible for the 2016-2017 school year. ...

The decision also said U Sports believed that while it agreed to stop its investigation into Jack's eligibility, if another school filed a complaint, that would mean it could resume investigating. Archibald did not find this argument persuasive. He found U Sports breached the settlement agreement it had reached with SMU. On Friday, U Sports representatives said at a news conference that it has no authority over AUS and no say over whether the game will be played, and it was up to AUS to handle the situation.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/saint-mary-s-football-court-case-going-into-overtime-1.4398853

[jerrym]

A judge has ruled that the Loney Bowl must go ahead on Tuesday. Acadia will not challenge the ruling that St. Mary's has a right to play the game.



After a marathon court hearing in Halifax, a judge has ruled Atlantic University Sport must allow a football game between Acadia University and Saint Mary's University. ...
The winner of the Tuesday game will play Western, the Ontario champion from London, in the Uteck Bowl. ...
Lawyers from Saint Mary's, Acadia University and AUS were back in Nova Scotia Supreme Court on Sunday morning after a 5½-hour hearing (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/saint-mary-s-football-court-case-going-into-overtime-1.4398853) on Remembrance Day.The last-minute hearing was held to deal with a motion from Saint Mary's to have the game reinstated. The university also asked that the case be dealt with on an urgent basis. ...
The controversy started with concerns (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/aus-saint-mary-s-university-football-playoffs-investigation-1.4389270) over the eligibility of Saint Mary's (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/aus-football-championship-saint-mary-s-player-eligibility-1.4395529) wide receiver Archelaus Jack, who was on the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders practice roster until last October. League rules state that any former CFL player, or anyone who remains on a CFL team's practice roster after Aug. 15, has to wait one year before playing for a university team.
But Saint Mary's says the question of eligibility has already been decided by an Ontario court judge. (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/football-university-championship-game-aus-u-sports-1.4396941) Its lawyers argued yesterday that AUS is in contempt of that court order.


http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/saint-marys-acadia-university-football-court-1.4399358

[OV Argo]

A judge has ruled that the Loney Bowl must go ahead on Tuesday. Acadia will not challenge the ruling that St. Mary's has a right to play the game.



[/FONT][/COLOR]http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/saint-marys-acadia-university-football-court-1.4399358

[/FONT][/COLOR]


And what a game it turned out to be ! High scoring, back and forth - late TD drives by both teams to force over-time- where Acadia prevails.

Most thinking Acadia is going to get just slaughtered by Western now; maybe so, but I wouldn't mind seeing an upset.

And hoping the Dinos get revenge, at home, for last year's Vanier loss to Laval. They put up tons of passing yards against Laval last year and they continue to have a big air attack.

This might be finally Western's year (?) after a lot of disappointment even though they have been a dominant OUA team for some time - only to get knocked-off in the play-offs. Like to see them stick with lots of that dominant ground game (though their QB Merchant - formerly at Div I Buffalo in US college ball - is quite good IMO - pretty decent arm and a good running/scrambling QB). Their new OC (Snyder) is maybe deserving lots of credit for their offence now - he might be the key with play-calling and believing in their ground game.

[jerrym]

Laval DB Kevin McGee has been suspended for three games starting with the November 18th Mitchell Cup because of a head shot to Khalil Kerr of the Carabins. The three game suspension was imposed because he had already had a one game suspension for a similar infraction earlier in the season.

[argolio]

Well that was as ugly as it gets.

I think Western would have won big regardless, but this was a bad week for the CIS/U Sports. Major P.R. disaster.

[jerrym]

Well that was as ugly as it gets.

I think Western would have won big regardless, but this was a bad week for the CIS/U Sports. Major P.R. disaster.

It was certainly ugly as Acadia is literally and figuratively out of its league in playing Western, although playing on short rest after having to play St. Marys on Tuesday probably contributed to the 81-3 margin.



The Western Mustangs set a Uteck Bowl record for points as their vaunted rushing attack dominated the Acadia Axemen in an 81-3 victory on Saturday.
Western amassed 451 yards on the ground and starting running back Cedric Jones rushed 13 times for 100 yards and three touchdowns to give him 10 touchdowns in his team’s three post-season games.
“It’s easy when I’ve got a monstrous O-line in front of me,” said Jones. “I’m going to have to give kudos to them, they’re really making my job a whole lot easier.”
Jones stepped into the starter’s role when Alex Taylor suffered a knee injury. He thinks a strong running game is the team’s legacy and he and fellow running backs Trey Humes and Yannick Harou get more than enough action to keep them all happy.
“We’re a hard-nosed, old-school, run-the-ball-down-your-throat type of offence,” Jones said. “We all kind of fit into that mould and we complement each other real nice.”


http://3downnation.com/2017/11/18/western-follows-75-point-showing-yates-cup-81-rout-acadia/

[rdavies]

Alberta running back Ed Ilnicki named USports’ most outstanding player (http://3downnation.com/2017/11/24/alberta-running-back-ed-ilnicki-named-usports-outstanding-player/)
3Down Staff 3downnation.com November 24, 2017

University of Alberta running back Ed Ilnicki won the Hec Crighton Trophy as the top player in Canadian varsity football on Thursday as U Sports announced its year-end awards.

Ilnicki, a five-foot-10, 220-pound running back from Spruce Grove, Alta., set a single-season Canada West record with 1,468 rushing yards. He also led U Sports in rushing touchdowns (11) and carries (196) as he helped the Golden Bears reach the post-season for the first time since 2010.

He is the first non-quarterback to win U Sports’ most outstanding player award since Windsor running back Daryl Stephenson in 2006.

“Ed embodies everything that is good about university athletics,” Alberta head coach Chris Morris said. “He is a true scholar and has been a four-time Academic All-Canadian. He’s been a dominating and relentless competitor, who in 2017 ran for more yards than anyone in Canada West history. He is a young man of impeccable character who tirelessly serves his team and community.”

Wilfrid Laurier receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr., Laval quarterback Hugo Richard and Acadia running back Dale Wright were the other finalists.

While Richard lost out in the Hec Crighton Trophy, Laval was well represented at Thursday’s awards ceremony. Rouge et Or linebacker Adam Auclair was named the defensive player of the year, while teammate Mathieu Betts was voted the outstanding down lineman for the second straight season.

Regina linebacker Nick Cross took top rookie honours, Western linebacker Nick Vanin claimed the Russ Jackson Award recognizing excellence in football, academics and citizenship, and Acadia’s Jeff Cummins was selected coach of the year for the second time in his career.

The U Sports football season ends Saturday, when Laval and Western meet in the Vanier Cup at Hamilton’s Tim Hortons Field.

[rdavies]

Two USports players selected to prestigious U.S. university all-star game (http://3downnation.com/2017/11/24/two-usports-players-selected-to-prestigious-u-s-university-all-star-game/)
Justin Dunk 3downnation.com November 24, 2017

Two Canadian university football players will get a chance to show their skills in front of pro scouts at an American all-star event.

University of Alberta offensive lineman Mark Korte and University of Montreal receiver Regis Cibasu have been selected to the East-West Shrine Game, the oldest college football all-star showcase in the United States. It features a week of practices in front of NFL and CFL coaches and talent evaluators followed by a game broadcast on NFL Network on Jan. 20.

The Shrine Game has served as an NFL launching point for Canadian players such as tight end Antony Auclair (Bucs), offensive lineman Geoff Gray (Jets), defensive lineman David Onyemata (Saints) and offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (Chiefs) in recent years.

Korte was the Canada West conference Most Outstanding Lineman in 2017. The Spruce Grove, Alberta native was an integral part of the Golden Bears offensive line that paved the way for running back Ed Ilnicki to set a new conference single-season rushing record with 1,468 yards.

Alberta head coach Chris Morris, who won three Grey Cups as a player with the Edmonton Eskimos (1992-2005), describes Korte as an “old school” offensive lineman. He is very athletic and should be able to compete well south of the border.

Cibasu burst on to the USports scene as a freshman with 90 receiving yards in Montreal’s 2014 Vanier Cup victory and earned game MVP honours for his effort. Since then Montreal’s talented receiver has developed further and added more muscle to his already impressive frame. Carabins head coach Danny Maciocia said from day one when Cibasu stepped on campus that he could have a chance to play in the NFL if full potential is reached. Physically, Cibasu already has a pro body – one NFL scout believes he has the size – and possesses natural ball skills and run-after-the-catch ability.

Montreal’s offence is more about ball control and limiting turnovers so there weren’t many passes being thrown around. Cibasu had 27 catches for 387 yards and two touchdowns, which included a 99-yarder, in seven games as a senior with the Carabins. Over four years in USports, Cibasu has 145 receptions for 1,797 and seven touchdowns.

The last receiver from the Quebec conference to get a Shrine Game invite was Samuel Giguere in 2008 who spent parts of four seasons with the Colts and Giants before coming north to the CFL where he’s played six seasons.

[jerrym]

Canadian players, including those coming from the CIS, are getting more opportunities to profile their skills in the US each year, as reflected in the growth of their presence at the Collge Gridiron Showcase.



The College Gridiron Showcase has grown exponentially.
Craig Redd, a former certified agent, and Jose Jefferson, a former coach and current athletic director, founded the U.S.-based event which began in 2015. The goal: allowing late round and undrafted prospects to be showcased to as many scouts as possible.
“We’re not the Senior Bowl or East-West Shrine Game and we’re not trying to be. They’ve been around a long time, they worry about the first, second, third round picks, that’s not the player who we’re going after,” Redd said. “We’re going after that player who needs some more exposure.”
The first-year goal was a modest ten scouts: instead, 65 scouts from 26 NFL teams and 10 to 15 from six of the nine CFL teams showed up, far exceeding expectations. After running a week of practices in preparation for a game in 2015, the format was changed in 2016 and it has remained the same since. It’s an organized training activity style, meaning individual drills, one-on-ones and team periods. ...

Year two saw 85 NFL scouts representing 30 of the 32 NFL clubs and 15-20 from seven of nine CFL teams make the trip to Texas. And year three 111 NFL scouts, 32 of 32 NFL teams and the same CFL numbers. Clearly scouts like the format of the event.
And the number of players getting legitimate pro opportunities backs that up. In three years, 273 players have received NFL opportunities, or about 60 per cent of attendees. There are 45 players from the Showcase (https://cgsallstar.com/) on NFL rosters, 16 of whom were drafted. All four players from Canada were selected in the CFL draft and 18 players are currently on CFL rosters. ...
Eight prospects from Canada were invited in 2018 (http://3downnation.com/2017/12/29/eight-canadian-prospects-invited-college-gridiron-showcase/) after Canadian company stepped up to sponsor athletes for the week. ...
“Because of the type of players we get, the late round NFL guys rounds four through seven and undrafted free agents, that’s where a lot of scouts make their money,” Redd said. “Earning their recognition and finding those diamonds in the rough, late round gems who end up making their roster and contributing to their franchise.”

http://3downnation.com/2018/01/10/college-gridiron-showcase-expanding-adds-more-north-american-flavour/

[jerrym]

Five of the eight Canadians invited to the 2018 College Gridiron Showcase come from the CIS rather than from American colleges, reflecting its growing recognition as a source of talent. The five CIS Canadians, as well as the three from American colleges, are profiled below. The CiS players are: OL Andrew Pickett, FB and LS David Mackie, WR Tyrone Pierre, DB/LB Jackson Bennett, and DB Godfrey Oneyka.

http://3downnation.com/2017/12/29/eight-canadian-prospects-invited-college-gridiron-showcase/

[OV Argo]

Five of the eight Canadians invited to the 2018 College Gridiron Showcase come from the CIS rather than from American colleges, reflecting its growing recognition as a source of talent. The five CIS Canadians, as well as the three from American colleges, are profiled below. The CiS players are: OL Andrew Pickett, FB and LS David Mackie, WR Tyrone Pierre, DB/LB Jackson Bennett, and DB Godfrey Oneyka.

http://3downnation.com/2017/12/29/eight-canadian-prospects-invited-college-gridiron-showcase/

A lot of CFL (as well as NFL) scouts attend that event. I'd guess they invite a number of CIS players with the CFL scouts in mind, but there have been more and more CIS stars drawing some NFL interest over the past decade or so now.

Receiver Tyrone Pierre didn't even make Laval's starting line-up last year = not a good sign (fell out of favor with the coaches there?) for a 4th year guy who is a rated CFL draft prospect; but he has good size and has put up an excellent set of testing #s at Combine work-outs.

Bennett & Onyeka are both probably going to be looked at as CFL safety prospect/projects; wouldn't mind the Argos getting to draft either of those guys.

[jerrym]

Justin Chapdelaine, Jacque's son, has been appointed Bishop University's OC.




The 26-year old played quarterback and receiver at Queen’s University and won a Vanier Cup in 2009. After his playing days, Chapdelaine got into coaching. He started as a graduate assistant with Queen’s before following his father, Jacques, to Simon Fraser as an assistant recruiter and running backs coach. When his dad became the offensive coordinator with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Justin followed and became an offensive assistant.
In 2016 the younger Chapdelaine ventured to the University of Calgary where he coached the Dinos receivers all the way to the Vanier Cup. Most recently, he was the Montreal Alouettes receivers coach last season during Jacque’s tenure.
“Bishop’s has a great tradition both athletically and academically,” said the newest addition to the Gaiters’ coaching staff. “It’s also a bit nostalgic for me. I was born in Sherbrooke and my dad’s first offensive coordinator position was with the Gaiters. I also still have family in the area. I look forward meeting and reconnecting with the people around Bishop’s and Lennoxville.

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“I really believe that we have an ability to be competitive in our conference. I appreciate that Cherif had the belief to give me this opportunity as an OC.


http://3downnation.com/2018/01/18/son-jacques-chapdelaine-gets-usports-offensive-coordinator-job/

[jerrym]

New Westminster Secondary School Hyacks (Jon Cornish's alma mater) are becoming a football factory as five players sign letters of intent with CIS teams. Coach Farhan Lalji led the team to the BC provincial championship in 2017 with a literal last second win.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfuH-OwHcur/



Terry Fox had won the 2017 Subway Bowl triple-A football championship at B.C. Place, 14-7 victors over the Hyacks.
Until … they hadn’t.
The referees waved back the tide of celebrating Ravens rushing onto the field, instructing the scorekeepers to put a single second back on the clock.

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One second. One play. Once chance.
New West quarterback Kinsale Philip dropped back, watching the blitz bear down from both sides, and lofted a high, arcing ball off his back foot as he was pounded into the turf.
Senior Severio Asaba answered the prayer, leaping high between three defenders in the end zone, coming down with the ball — his only catch of the season — and pulling the Hyacks to within one.
New Westminster coach Farhan Lalji, sensing the momentum and magnitude of the moment, opted to go for two, and senior Lucas Sabau obliged, punching in the game-winning points from five yards out to give the Hyacks their first triple-A title in school history.
Game over. 15-14 New West.


http://theprovince.com/sports/football/hyacks-crowned-b-c-high-school-champs-after-high-drama-ending

[jerrym]

Queen's University has hired former Tiger Cat HC Marcel Bellefeuille, who also coached with the Als, Riders, Bombers and Lions, as well as at the University of Ottawa, as offensive coordinator.

http://gogaelsgo.com/news/2018/3/19/former-cfl-head-coach-marcel-bellefeuille-named-queens-football-offensive-coordinator.aspx

[ArgoRavi]

Queen's University has hired former Tiger Cat HC Marcel Bellefeuille, who also coached with the Als, Riders, Bombers and Lions, as well as at the University of Ottawa, as offensive coordinator.

http://gogaelsgo.com/news/2018/3/19/former-cfl-head-coach-marcel-bellefeuille-named-queens-football-offensive-coordinator.aspx

A good ole boy gets hired as an offensive coordinator in the CIS? Does that still make Marcel a good ole boy?

[OV Argo]

A good ole boy gets hired as an offensive coordinator in the CIS? Does that still make Marcel a good ole boy?

Recycled; plus almost guaranteed Bell-fool will run standard, same-old look offence that is a feature of the CFL now.

SO - yes a GOB for CIS ball.

[jerrym]

Below two UBC players, OL Dakota Shepley and WR William Watson, who performed well at the National Combine, discuss how the university helped them develop into top players.


At 6’5 and 290 pounds, Shepley is considered one of the top offensive linemen in what is considered yet another deep draft for the position. Although these evaluations are common practice, the native of Windsor, Ontario admits it is a little bit of a different beast when you’re doing it live in front of the brass from all nine CFL clubs.
“I’m generally a pretty chill guy and don’t let anything get to my head. I just treat it like anything else and don’t stress about it,” Shepley said after running the 40-yard dash and three-cone drill on Saturday. ...


Committing to UBC proved to be a wise choice for the 2017 Canada West All-Star. In his four years at the Point Grey campus, Shepley started all but one game and was a key member of the unit that protected quarterback Michael O’Connor in the Hardy Cup, Uteck Bowl and Vanier Cup journeys that 2015 provided.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my UBC family,” he said.
“It was coach (Sean) Olson who recruited me and Coach (Blake) Nill who developed me into the player that I am now. I had never visited the west coast prior to my recruiting trip. I went out there with my Dad and as soon as I arrived, I knew I wanted to go there based on the academics at the school. The program wasn’t the best then but they had faith in me, I had faith in them and the rest is history after that.”
Shepley made his mark later Saturday evening by winning the bench press competition with 27 reps at 225 pounds. He will look to take that momentum into Sunday afternoon’s one-on-one drills. ...


Watson, a wide receiver and product of Semiahmoo Secondary in South Surrey, has a little bit more to prove after missing all but three games in 2017 due to a nagging groin injury. He is one of three prospects that advanced from Thursday’s Western Regional Combine.
“I performed a bit better there than I have here so far,” Watson explained. "This whole process has just been a great experience, just an awesome time.”
In two previous seasons prior to the injury, Watson racked up over 1,000 yards receiving and had eight touchdowns. He was also a contributor on special teams, returning five kicks for 90 yards. He also acknowledged the combine is best treated as another game situation. Just like when we go play, I try to block out all of the noise,” he added.
“Being able to win at UBC has definitely helped me prepare for this and have some extra competitiveness under my belt. I’ve seen a lot of these guys at the East-West game and of them even throughout playoffs in 2015. I want to elevate my game and make the opponents around me elevate theirs as well.”

https://www.bclions.com/2018/03/24/t-bird-products-strut-stuff-cfl-national-combine/

[jerrym]

HC Kevin MacNeil is leaving the Guelph Gryphons under circumstances where it looks like he was pushed out.



“Kevin MacNeill is leaving the University of Guelph as head coach of the football program to explore other opportunities,” read the post on the Gryphons.ca web site. ...
Offensive coordinator Todd Galloway will take over as interim head coach.Director of Athletics Scott McRoberts told GuelphToday that there was not really much more to say than what was in the official school statement on their web site.
He could not elaborate on whether MacNeill left, was fired or if it was mutual.
"It's just part of the process and part of sports," McRoberts said. "But I can assure you the team is in very good hands with Todd."
McRoberts said the school would be conducting a full search for a new head coach following the 2018 seasons. Galloway would certainly be considered for that position, he added....

MacNeil was named head coach of the team in Dec. 2016 after serving as interim head coach for one year. In total he spent two seasons running the team, compiling an overall 8-8 regular season record. Prior to being head coach he served as the team’s defensive coordinator for seven seasons.


https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-sports/gryphon-football-team-parts-ways-with-head-coach-892901

[jerrym]

University of Waterloo WR Sam Ding was murdered Saturday. A GoFundMe page has been established for his funeral.

http://3downnation.com/2018/04/17/slain-waterloo-football-player-came-canada-better-life/

[rdavies]

Time to change the title of this thread?

[jerrym]

Thirteen of the top twenty CFL Scouting Prospects for the 2018 Draft came from Canadian Universities.

https://usports.ca/en/sports/football/m/news/2018/04/3601496538/u-sports-standouts-top-20-prospect-list-cfl-2018-draft

[jerrym]

University of Calgary Dinos did very well in the CFL Draft.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In the modern era of the Draft (1963 on when all teams participated) only one other school had 5 of the top 17 picks before <a href="https://twitter.com/UCDinos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UCDinos</a> this year.<br><br>Laval 2005 (1, 5, 14, 16, 17)<br>Calgary 2017 (6, 8, 12, 14, 15)<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CFLDraft</a> <a href="https://t.co/UYj4B4yxs0">pic.twitter.com/UYj4B4yxs0</a></p>&mdash; CFL Communications (@CFL_PR) <a href="https://twitter.com/CFL_PR/status/992220026806685696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[jerrym]

This post is for fellow Carleton U alumni ArgoRavi.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">NEWS | 3 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ravens?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ravens</a> taken in 2018 <a href="https://twitter.com/CFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CFL</a> draft - 2 are staying in town with the <a href="https://twitter.com/REDBLACKS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@REDBLACKS</a>.<br><br>📰 <a href="https://t.co/wmfwY0Dn0D">https://t.co/wmfwY0Dn0D</a> <a href="https://t.co/55grpyZHiw">pic.twitter.com/55grpyZHiw</a></p>&mdash; Carleton Ravens (@CURavens) <a href="https://twitter.com/CURavens/status/992810429905821696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 5, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[jerrym]

Here's the U Sports football roundup for week 1 of the 2018 season.

https://www.cfl.ca/2018/08/27/campus-roundup-u-sports-week-1/

[OV Argo]

Here's the U Sports football roundup for week 1 of the 2018 season.

https://www.cfl.ca/2018/08/27/campus-roundup-u-sports-week-1/

Not mentioned there - Waterloo receiver Tyler Ternowski puts up a an 11 catch / 289 yards / 4 TD game against Windsor = eye popping #s; i believe he is a 3rd year player - this might put him on the watch list for the 2020 CFL draft ? Ternowski led the CIS in receiving yards per game last season.

[jerrym]

In week 2, three teams moved into the top 10 U Sports rankings, as Carleton jumped from 11th to 7th thanks to a 38-20 win over Windsor, Saskatchewan replaced Regina at #10 with a 42-0 shutout of Alberta, and Ottawa beat McMaster 18-11 to claim #9 and drop McMaster out of the top 10, while Queens fell out of the top ten when it lost to #4 Laurier 44-18.

FRC – USports Football Top 10 (#2)


<tbody>
SCHOOL
RECORD
POINTS
MEDIA
ELO
PREVIOUS


Western
(1-0)
253
123 (9)
130
1


Laval
(2-0)
233
116 (3)
117
2


Montreal
(1-0)
190
99
91
3


Laurier
(2-0)
184
80
104
4


Calgary
(1-0)
171
93 (1)
78
5


UBC
(1-0)
136
71
65
6


Carleton
(1-1)
63
24
39
NR


Guelph
(1-1)
60
8
52
8


Ottawa
(1-1)
50
24
26
NR


Saskatchewan
(1-0)
25
25
0
NR


Honourable mentions: Regina (20), Queen’s (14), Saint Mary’s (12), Manitoba (9), Waterloo (6), McMaster (4).

</tbody>


http://3downnation.com/2018/09/04/usports-football-top-10-saskatchewan-jumps-into-the-mix/

[AngeloV]

In week 2, three teams moved into the top 10 U Sports rankings, as Carleton jumped from 11th to 7th thanks to a 38-20 win over Windsor, Saskatchewan replaced Regina at #10 with a 42-0 shutout of Alberta, and Ottawa beat McMaster 18-11 to claim #9 and drop McMaster out of the top 10, while Queens fell out of the top ten when it lost to #4 Laurier 44-18.

FRC – USports Football Top 10 (#2)


<tbody>
SCHOOL
RECORD
POINTS
MEDIA
ELO
PREVIOUS


Western
(1-0)
253
123 (9)
130
1


Laval
(2-0)
233
116 (3)
117
2


Montreal
(1-0)
190
99
91
3


Laurier
(2-0)
184
80
104
4


Calgary
(1-0)
171
93 (1)
78
5


UBC
(1-0)
136
71
65
6


Carleton
(1-1)
63
24
39
NR


Guelph
(1-1)
60
8
52
8


Ottawa
(1-1)
50
24
26
NR


Saskatchewan
(1-0)
25
25
0
NR


Honourable mentions: Regina (20), Queen’s (14), Saint Mary’s (12), Manitoba (9), Waterloo (6), McMaster (4).

</tbody>


http://3downnation.com/2018/09/04/usports-football-top-10-saskatchewan-jumps-into-the-mix/



Same teams as every year make up the best of the best. That's the unfortunate thing about Usport football. There is a lack of parity. AUS really needs to merge with Quebec. Ridiculous that they get an automatic bid into the national semis when they haven't been competitive in years.

[OV Argo]

Same teams as every year make up the best of the best. That's the unfortunate thing about Usport football. There is a lack of parity. AUS really needs to merge with Quebec. Ridiculous that they get an automatic bid into the national semis when they haven't been competitive in years.

Yeah - the AUS being weak and getting into the national semis is not good / does not seem fair.

A lot of stuff in sports can be like that though. i find it a bit of a joke that the CFL 1st place finisher in each division only has to play one play-off game to get to the GC. SO - make 8 teams qualify for the play-offs, and team has to win both a division semi and the final to get to the GC game. And tough $hite if some are going to moan about 8 teams making the play-offs - a more competitive play-off and earning your way to the National Championship makes up for that IMO, and fans get the bonus of 2 extra play-off games. A CIS team can NOT win just one play-off game and get to go to the National final. Just like it can't happen in the NFL either.

[OV Argo]

Not mentioned there - Waterloo receiver Tyler Ternowski puts up a an 11 catch / 289 yards / 4 TD game against Windsor = eye popping #s; i believe he is a 3rd year player - this might put him on the watch list for the 2020 CFL draft ? Ternowski led the CIS in receiving yards per game last season.


Ternowksi continues to tear up CIS ball in receiving - averaging over 170 yards/game and already 8 TDs. Gotta guess that is all-time record pace #s; and Waterloo - led by him and young QB Tre Ford (excellent running QB as well) just upset top ranked Laurier. Nice to see another team on the rise to challenge traditional Conference powers.

A couple of other top CIS receivers - who will be up next CFL draft - are having fantastic seasons so far as well: Kurleigh Gittens (Laurier) is averaging 150 yds/game, and Hunter Karl (Calgary) is at 120 some yards/ game with an eye popping 26+ yards/catch average.

[gilthethrill]

Congratulations to Western on their victory over York on the weekend. Sarcasm. ..this type of issue has to be corrected. I won't go to a CIS football game until the playoffs when I am pretty much guaranteed a close, watchable contest.

[AngeloV]

Ternowksi continues to tear up CIS ball in receiving - averaging over 170 yards/game and already 8 TDs. Gotta guess that is all-time record pace #s; and Waterloo - led by him and young QB Tre Ford (excellent running QB as well) just upset top ranked Laurier. Nice to see another team on the rise to challenge traditional Conference powers.

A couple of other top CIS receivers - who will be up next CFL draft - are having fantastic seasons so far as well: Kurleigh Gittens (Laurier) is averaging 150 yds/game, and Hunter Karl (Calgary) is at 120 some yards/ game with an eye popping 26+ yards/catch average.

Pretty amazing that Waterloo can turn their program around as quickly as they have. When you see that, there is no excuse for York and UofT to do so. York has a great QB in Hunchak, but for some reason they can never put enough around him to be competitive.

[gilthethrill]

Pretty amazing that Waterloo can turn their program around as quickly as they have. When you see that, there is no excuse for York and UofT to do so. York has a great QB in Hunchak, but for some reason they can never put enough around him to be competitive.

Despite my earlier rant....looking at the schedule I intend on going to see Mac play at Waterloo on the 13th of October....this Ternowski kid that OV mentioned has me interested....good to see Waterloo get competitive again after years of futility .

[OV Argo]

Despite my earlier rant....looking at the schedule I intend on going to see Mac play at Waterloo on the 13th of October....this Ternowski kid that OV mentioned has me interested....good to see Waterloo get competitive again after years of futility .

IF you do manage to get to that game - love to hear a report on Waterloo overall- Ternowksi for one, but also this Tre Ford kid at QB - averaging close to 400 passing yards per game this season, but also around 80 rushing yards game too = Chris Flynn type stuff it seems for a CIS QB (if anyone recalls that Canadian college ball legend of a QB - dual threat passer & elusive scrambler/runner). Waterloo getting to win the OUA over defending champs Western would be awesome - not that I'd be even close to betting on it - and this QB Ford would become a Canadian football superstar maybe ?

[gilthethrill]

IF you do manage to get to that game - love to hear a report on Waterloo overall- Ternowksi for one, but also this Tre Ford kid at QB - averaging close to 400 passing yards per game this season, but also around 80 rushing yards game too = Chris Flynn type stuff it seems for a CIS QB (if anyone recalls that Canadian college ball legend of a QB - dual threat passer & elusive scrambler/runner). Waterloo getting to win the OUA over defending champs Western would be awesome - not that I'd be even close to betting on it - and this QB Ford would become a Canadian football superstar maybe ?

Sure thing OV....look to make it a football weekend with the Argo/ Cats game the night before. I notice Ford's stats too and look forward to seeing this team (I usually go to Laurier) compete for a playoff spot.

I hate Western with a passion.

[AngeloV]

I hate Western with a passion.

Me too, but cheer for them if they win Ontario. I will always root for Ontario over the other conferences.

[j-ski]

IF you do manage to get to that game - love to hear a report on Waterloo overall- Ternowksi for one, but also this Tre Ford kid at QB - averaging close to 400 passing yards per game this season, but also around 80 rushing yards game too = Chris Flynn type stuff it seems for a CIS QB (if anyone recalls that Canadian college ball legend of a QB - dual threat passer & elusive scrambler/runner). Waterloo getting to win the OUA over defending champs Western would be awesome - not that I'd be even close to betting on it - and this QB Ford would become a Canadian football superstar maybe ?

Also impressed by Tre Ford and Ternowski. Also, think that if Tre Ford continues to develop he could play in the CFL one day as a QB. Understand, he was in Alouettes camp this year in the QB development program. Hope he gets more invites to CFL camps in the next 2 years.

[OV Argo]

Also impressed by Tre Ford and Ternowski. Also, think that if Tre Ford continues to develop he could play in the CFL one day as a QB. Understand, he was in Alouettes camp this year in the QB development program. Hope he gets more invites to CFL camps in the next 2 years.


We'll see if either O'Connor or Chris Merchant get a REAL shot to compete at QB with CFL teams at need at the position next year; THEN i could MAYBE see Ford as a possibility down the road = that would mean some sort of HUGE change in standard CFL GOB "thinking"; you'd have to explain to me though how Hugo Richard rated ZERO real CFL look. Any bets there on O'Connor or Merchant ? ;o)

[j-ski]

We'll see if either O'Connor or Chris Merchant get a REAL shot to compete at QB with CFL teams at need at the position next year; THEN i could MAYBE see Ford as a possibility down the road = that would mean some sort of HUGE change in standard CFL GOB "thinking"; you'd have to explain to me though how Hugo Richard rated ZERO real CFL look. Any bets there on O'Connor or Merchant ? ;o)

I wonder who will be invited to the CFL combine to throw passes? I think O'Connor will be there, but I wonder if the second quarterback will be Merchant or the Dino's Adam Sinagra. Justin Dunk is playing up Sinagra in the latest 3rd down podcast. I think if the CFL starts counting quarterbacks towards the ratio in the next contract, 5th year quarterbacks Hugo Richard and Noah Picton might also be in a CFL camp.

[OV Argo]

I wonder who will be invited to the CFL combine to throw passes? I think O'Connor will be there, but I wonder if the second quarterback will be Merchant or the Dino's Adam Sinagra. Justin Dunk is playing up Sinagra in the latest 3rd down podcast. I think if the CFL starts counting quarterbacks towards the ratio in the next contract, 5th year quarterbacks Hugo Richard and Noah Picton might also be in a CFL camp.

The Argos are keen on bringing back Picton for another look after his final season with the Rams; he will be right up there in the TC competition at QB with the likes of MacBeth and Skip Prukop for the future of Argo QBing - lots of TC reps and plenty of ex. game playing time to show what he can do; book it ! LOL ;o)

O'Connor, Merchant and Sinagra will be in high demand by next CFL TC time too - drafted or signed as FAs - and be getting real serious CFL looks for teams in need at QB. ;o)

[jerrym]

The top four teams in USports rankings remain unchanged while Carleton moved up to fifth from sixth with a 38-26 win over Toronto. Fifth place Laurier dropped to eighth after a 21-20 loss to McMaster. Saskatchewan's 33-20 win over Regina helped it jump from 9th to 6th and dropped Regina from 8th to 10th. Ottawa jumped into the top 10 at 9th with a 42-16 thumping of York.



results of the media panel balloting (each weighted 50%) to produce the final top 10.

<thead style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">
RANK
SCHOOL
SEASON
MEDIA
ELO
TOTAL
PREVIOUS

</thead><tbody style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">
1
Western
4-0
165 (13)
170
335
1


2
Laval
4-0
151 (3)
153
304
2


3
Calgary
4-0
141 (1)
136
277
3


4
Montreal
3-1
121
119
240
4


5
Carleton
4-1
93
68
161
6


6
Saskatchewan
3-1
86
51
137
9


7
Saint Mary’s
4-0
32
85
117
7


8
Laurier
2-2
13
102
115
5


9
Ottawa
3-1
47
34
81
NR


10
Regina
2-2
31
0
31
8


Honourable mention: Guelph (17), McMaster (17), UBC (13), Waterloo (12),
Queen’s (6), Manitoba (4), Concordia (2), StFX (1)

</tbody>

http://3downnation.com/2018/09/25/usports-football-top-10-saskatchewan-on-the-rise/

[j-ski]

The Argos are keen on bringing back Picton for another look after his final season with the Rams; he will be right up there in the TC competition at QB with the likes of MacBeth and Skip Prukop for the future of Argo QBing - lots of TC reps and plenty of ex. game playing time to show what he can do; book it ! LOL ;o)

O'Connor, Merchant and Sinagra will be in high demand by next CFL TC time too - drafted or signed as FAs - and be getting real serious CFL looks for teams in need at QB. ;o)

Dunk on Sinagra:

http://3downnation.com/2018/09/26/calgary-dinos-adam-sinagra-the-next-rising-canadian-qb/

[jerrym]

The Ottawa Gee Gees defeated the Carleton Ravens 38-27 in the Panda Game last weekend before a crowd of 24,470 fans. The win was their first in the Panda Game since 2013 and gave the 4-1 Gee Gees sole possession of second place in the OUA.

[jerrym]

There is confusion within Ontario University Athletics over whether Greg Knox has beens suspended one game for charging down the sidelines and getting into an altercation with a member of the sideline crew, according to Global News.



Mid-morning, reporters began calling the school's acting director of athletics, Mark Alfano, to ask about rumblings they'd heard about head football coach Greg Knox being in trouble for something that happened in the Marauders' win over Laurier on Sept. 22. ...

Nonetheless, a little over an hour later, Alfano sent out a sparse-on-details press release. It read: "McMaster's head football coach Greg Knox has been suspended for one game by Ontario University Athletics. The suspension follows an incident involving a game official that took place during the last Marauder game against Laurier." ...

While Mac says its coach has been suspended, the CEO of the OUA says that's not the case. Knox hasn't been suspended. Not by his organization, anyway.
A suspension would only be announced once all the steps in the hearing process have been done, Gord Grace explains. That includes an appeal which Knox says is in the works. A suspension would be announced … "Only if the process is exhausted," Grace says. "But that hasn't been finalized yet."
In other words, there is not a "final final outcome." So, no suspension. Not yet, anyway. Maybe not ever, depending on the appeal.

https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/8941311-oua-mac-fumble-suspension-news/

[jerrym]

Ottawa's win over Carleton in the Panda Game resulted in their switching positions in the USports Football Top Ten with Ottawa climbing to fifth and Carleton falling to ninth. Undefeated St. Marys moved up one notch to sixth. Saskatchewan's 33-13 loss to Calgary caused it to fall from sixth to seventh while Guelph's 27-24 win over St Francis Xavier placed it in tenth place.

http://3downnation.com/2018/10/02/usports-football-top-10-ottawa-rising-after-panda-game-victory/

[jerrym]

The Regina Rams have been stripped of all three of their wins because they used an unnamed ineligible player against the universities of Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba. Regina discovered the mistake in eligibility and reported it to Canada West yesterday.

[OV Argo]

CIS rushing leader Cedric Joseph (Western) goes off for a monster 355 yard (!!! - wonder what the single game record is?) rushing game with a 90 yarder included and 3 TDs - as Western kills Windsor. I get that Western are a powerhouse team with a strong O-line and ground game, and that can produce some inflated stats against weak defences ... but 355 with a 90 yarder = you have to have some serious talent there. Joseph really impressed me during Western's dominant run last season - one of those backs with excellent vision & balance who produces without having serious RB speed. Up next CFL draft and i believe a slowish 40 time will see him not highly rated at all; but love to see the Argos take a chance on this guy with a mid to late round pick; could be an excellent inside runner /change of pace CFL back - take a CFL offence with diversity to use him = not sure that's the Argos then.

[jerrym]

Ottawa has continued its climb in the standings after an opening season loss, with a 53-21win over Toronto for its fifth win in a row, thereby helping it jump from ninth to fifth in the standings. McMaster jumped into ninth spot from unranked with a 27-24 win over Queens.



<tbody>
RANK
SCHOOL
SEASON
MEDIA
ELO
TOTAL
PREVIOUS


1
Western
6-0
111 (7)
120
231
1


2
Laval
6-0
111 (4)
108
272
2


3
Calgary
5-0
100 (1)
96
219
3


4
Montreal
4-2
84
84
196
4


5
Ottawa
5-1
71
48
168
9


6
Saint Mary’s
6-0
30
60
119
7


7
Laurier
3-3
18
72
90
8


8
Saskatchewan
3-2
50
12
62
7


9
McMaster
4-2
34
24
58
NR


10
Guelph
3-3
3
36
39
10


Honourable mention*: Carleton (21), Regina (14), Manitoba (10), St. FX (3)


</tbody>



http://3downnation.com/2018/10/09/usports-football-top-10-ottawa-gallops-up-the-rankings-mcmaster-makes-an-appearance/

[j-ski]

CIS rushing leader Cedric Joseph (Western) goes off for a monster 355 yard (!!! - wonder what the single game record is?) rushing game with a 90 yarder included and 3 TDs - as Western kills Windsor. I get that Western are a powerhouse team with a strong O-line and ground game, and that can produce some inflated stats against weak defences ... but 355 with a 90 yarder = you have to have some serious talent there. Joseph really impressed me during Western's dominant run last season - one of those backs with excellent vision & balance who produces without having serious RB speed. Up next CFL draft and i believe a slowish 40 time will see him not highly rated at all; but love to see the Argos take a chance on this guy with a mid to late round pick; could be an excellent inside runner /change of pace CFL back - take a CFL offence with diversity to use him = not sure that's the Argos then.

I'm looking forward to the 2019 CFL combine. Could be a great year for Canadian running backs. From U Sports

Jamel Lyles, Manitoba
Levondre Gordon, Laurier
Jeshrun Antwi, Calgary
Cedric Joseph, Western
Jordan Lyons, McMaster
Kayden Johnson, York

From The NCAA

Brady Oliveira, North Dakota
Maleek Irons, Ohio

[OV Argo]

I'm looking forward to the 2019 CFL combine. Could be a great year for Canadian running backs. From U Sports

Jamel Lyles, Manitoba
Levondre Gordon, Laurier
Jeshrun Antwi, Calgary
Cedric Joseph, Western
Jordan Lyons, McMaster
Kayden Johnson, York

From The NCAA

Brady Oliveira, North Dakota
Maleek Irons, Ohio


We shall see there; Oliviera & Irons may go by 2nd or 3rd round just by their NCAA resumes; the CIS RBs are likely to be low rated and more like mid to late round picks. Ilnicki was cut by Ottawa and not given another CFL look = telling there; and same old, same old CFL thinking.

[jerrym]

The situation involving McMaster HC Greg Knox has been handled very poorly.



Monday will mark one month since McMaster’s head football coach allegedly said or did something to an official during a game that got him in trouble. Something believed to be serious enough that the university put him on administrative leave pending an investigation.
A month later, he’s still not back at work.
Today, as the team prepares for its final regular-season game in Windsor on Saturday, nobody will say how far along the investigation is, what’s happening or offer any details about what he apparently did. Heck, they won’t even tell the interim head coach what’s going on.

“I know nothing,” Tom Flaxman says. “I’ve been told nothing.” ...

The background is this: During a game against Wilfrid Laurier on Sept. 22, Greg Knox allegedly had some kind of incident with an official. He wasn’t kicked out of the game. Still, Ontario University Athletics had a hearing on the matter, heard Knox’s appeal of its initial decision and ultimately gave him a one-game suspension that he served last week.
McMaster, on the other hand, put him on leave and that’s where he remains. His school-mandated suspension will reach three games this weekend with no end in sight.


http://3downnation.com/2018/10/20/greg-knox-case-a-mcmaster-marauders-mess/

[jerrym]

McMaster HC Greg Knox has been fired after a third person independent report following an incident during a game against Laurier in September. Ontario University Athletics had suspended him for one game. No reason was given for the difference in the severity of the penalties and no specific details of the incident were revealed.

[jerrym]

The top three USports teams all dominated their opponents on the weekend. No. 1 ranked Western beat #7 Laurier 46-13. Outgaining Sherbrooke 560 yards to 4 yards (that's not a mistake), #2 Laval shutout and shutdown Sherbrooke 53-0. In the west, the #3 Calgary Dinos clobbered Regina Rams 58-6.

[jerrym]

Noah Picton finished his USports football career as its all-time leading passer, but missed the final three games due to septic arthritis. Questions remain about how much of a shot he will get in the CFL, but that has been the story of his football life.



Picton was a star coming out of LeBoldus High School in Regina, leading the team to a provincial title in 2012, but NCAA scouts were hesitant to offer a scholarship to the five-foot-nine, 177-pound quarterback because recruiters felt his size limited potential. Even Canadian university programs had questions: not a single USports team actively recruited Picton. For years the Regina native had thrown with former Rams quarterback Marc Mueller which is the connection that led to Picton joining the University of Regina football squad.
After redshirting the 2013 season, Picton took over the starting quarterback role in 2014. He’s started every game for the Rams until Sept. 29 – staying healthy and available through the rigours of a fast-paced university schedule – when he became the USports passing leader in style. ...

After playing against Manitoba Picton’s foot flared up with what was eventually diagnosed as septic arthritis, which led to excruciating pain and even can be lethal in some cases. That kept Picton on the sidelines for the final three games of his university career, finishing with 11,496 yards – only six Canadian university quarterbacks have ever gone over 10,000 passing yards. ...


After a stellar 2017 season, Picton showed he was more athletic than scouts (http://3downnation.com/2018/04/02/canadian-qb-noah-picton-wants-a-chance-to-prove-doubters-wrong/) predicted, but it didn’t lead to any CFL team taking him in the 2018 draft. The Toronto Argonauts signed Picton to a free agent deal, bringing him to training camp and Argos head coach Marc Trestman was impressed enough by Picton (http://3downnation.com/2018/06/08/argos-qb-noah-picton-will-go-back-usports-trestman-watching/) that he vowed to watch Canada West film from his final season with the Rams. The Argos have kept tabs on Picton which could mean another opportunity as a player or there could be opportunities to coach as Mueller has done with the Calgary Stampeders.
Picton has been doubted in high school, university and there were doubts he would get a look at the pro level (nevermind impress a quarterback guru like Trestman.) But every doubter has been proven wrong so far: Picton was an elite passer in high school and risen to the top of the charts in university.
After yet another season in which he has rewritten the record books again, Picton deserves an opportunity to show what he can do at the pro level.

http://3downnation.com/2018/10/29/noah-picton-ends-usports-career-as-all-time-passing-leader-while-proving-doubters-wrong/

[jerrym]

Carleton Ravens RB Nathan Carter scored 3 TDs in leading the team to a 30-25 win over McMaster in one quarter-final OUA game.

Guelph Gryphons beat Waterloo Warriors 45-28 as Jonathan Cimankinda, who also had 3 TDs, ran for 228 yards in the other OUA quarterfinal.

Next week Carleton plays Western while Guelph meets Ottawa.

[OV Argo]

Carleton Ravens RB Nathan Carter scored 3 TDs in leading the team to a 30-25 win over McMaster in one quarter-final OUA game.

Guelph Gryphons beat Waterloo Warriors 45-28 as Jonathan Cimankinda, who also had 3 TDs, ran for 228 yards in the other OUA quarterfinal.

Next week Carleton plays Western while Guelph meets Ottawa.


I was hoping Waterloo would go far in the play-offs = nice to see a former weak team rise up to be good; plus wanted a chance to see this Tre Ford kid play QB on TV (the Yates Cup is at least televised in the pathetic state of TV coverage for CIS football). Ford has drawn some rave reviews and put up some outstanding passing AND QB rushing #s this season - sounds like another Chris Flynn type - and maybe he can lead the Warriors on a play-off run next year, and become even more Flynn like.

[gilthethrill]

I was hoping Waterloo would go far in the play-offs = nice to see a former weak team rise up to be good; plus wanted a chance to see this Tre Ford kid play QB on TV (the Yates Cup is at least televised in the pathetic state of TV coverage for CIS football). Ford has drawn some rave reviews and put up some outstanding passing AND QB rushing #s this season - sounds like another Chris Flynn type - and maybe he can lead the Warriors on a play-off run next year, and become even more Flynn like.

I watched the Gueph Waterloo playoff game on OUA tv...Ford looked good (27 td passes to 2 Ints is incredible at any level) as did that diminutive Ternowski. Waterloo just could not shut Guelph down on defense. Depending on how this AAFL does, CFL teams may just have to look closer at CIS qb's...and there appears to be a few credible ones out there now.

[jerrym]

Here's a summary of Usport football playoff action on the weekend:

http://3downnation.com/2018/11/04/usports-playoff-roundup-western-laval-calgary-hosting-conference-title-games/

[AngeloV]

Here's a summary of Usport football playoff action on the weekend:

http://3downnation.com/2018/11/04/usports-playoff-roundup-western-laval-calgary-hosting-conference-title-games/


ROUGE ET OR 40 VERT ET OR 0

LAVAL, Que. – Laval had little trouble with Sherbrooke to earn a date in the Quebec final next week. The Rouge et Or finished the season 8-0, while Sherbrooke was 2-6. Laval had 441 yards of net offence, while Sherbooke had just 55.

—

CARABINS 48 REDMEN 2

MONTREAL – Dimitri Morand threw for two touchdowns as Montreal downed McGill in a battle of teams from the same city. Montreal will travel to Laval for next week’s Quebec final.


Ho hum. Why even bother. Same 2 teams destroying their opposition EVERY YEAR.

[argolio]

53-14 Western over Guelph. Check that, 60-14 Western. Garbage time the rest of the way.

Guelph had almost zero passing game, while most of Western's offence came from their passing game or the threat of their passing game. Plus Western looks like a more physical team.

[gilthethrill]

53-14 Western over Guelph. Check that, 60-14 Western. Garbage time the rest of the way.

Guelph had almost zero passing game, while most of Western's offence came from their passing game or the threat of their passing game. Plus Western looks like a more physical team.

I was looking to see if the other 3 playoff games were on tv but I could not find them. More than tired of Western dominating Ontario year in and year out.

[OV Argo]

I was looking to see if the other 3 playoff games were on tv but I could not find them. More than tired of Western dominating Ontario year in and year out.

Laval/Montreal was on TVA Sports (drag - i don't get it in my package); so the Western game on CHCH was all i could watch = pathetic state of respect and coverage for CIS ball.

Western have NOT dominated the OUA "year in year out" or else they would have been Yates Cup Champs every year - year in year out - and Mac & Laurier have won that in the past few years. This Western team (last season and this) IS a real powerhouse though - excellent on offence & defence (and QB Chris Merchant is a real deal IMO - good passer + a real run threat QB).

Huskies pull off a big upset to knock-off the Dinos out West - way to go !!! I believe they draw Western in one National Semi - and it will be a real tough challenge - at home and with bad weather combined = i think they have little chance, but you never know.

I doubt StFx has much hope against Laval either, but they do have a top notch, vet RB in Scholotiuk, so pound the ground game and see what happens.

Both CIS Semis should be televised i believe (but would not surprise me if not = brutal)

[gilthethrill]

Laval/Montreal was on TVA Sports (drag - i don't get it in my package); so the Western game on CHCH was all i could watch = pathetic state of respect and coverage for CIS ball.

Western have NOT dominated the OUA "year in year out" or else they would have been Yates Cup Champs every year - year in year out - and Mac & Laurier have won that in the past few years. This Western team (last season and this) IS a real powerhouse though - excellent on offence & defence (and QB Chris Merchant is a real deal IMO - good passer + a real run threat QB).

Huskies pull off a big upset to knock-off the Dinos out West - way to go !!! I believe they draw Western in one National Semi - and it will be a real tough challenge - at home and with bad weather combined = i think they have little chance, but you never know.

I doubt StFx has much hope against Laval either, but they do have a top notch, vet RB in Scholotiuk, so pound the ground game and see what happens.

Both CIS Semis should be televised i believe (but would not surprise me if not = brutal)

How many games has Western lost in the past 5 years OV? Each season they beat up on teams in the province...they are on a 22 game winning streak...they are dominate OV no matter what you say.

[AngeloV]

How many games has Western lost in the past 5 years OV? Each season they beat up on teams in the province...they are on a 22 game winning streak...they are dominate OV no matter what you say.

They’ve stepped up their recruiting game to keep up with Laval. It really is sad that less than a half dozen teams are the only legitimate Vanier Cup contenders year in and year out.

[OV Argo]

How many games have Alabama lost in the last 5 years or so of US college ball? Do you realize how many US college ball teams there are that have ZERO shot of making it to a National Title game down there. Why don't they just fold all those programs and have Alabama get to compete against a few other teams ? The lowly rated Sask Huskies this season just upset big program Calgary Dinos out West - at least there is that up here.

Sorry - but it's the nature of the beast in college football; so teams build fantastic programs with superior recruiting & coaching. Not "fair" maybe. I guess they could change the rules to just put all players & coach names in a hat and have a pre-season raffle/draw every year ?

Nobody in the CFL could possibly compete with that Esks 5 straight GC dynasty (that shoulda got beat by a 5 & 11 Ottawa team in the 81 game) = boo hoo hoo. Shoulda folded the league back then and just let the Esks take their ball and go home.

[OV Argo]

Laval just dominating StFX today - not a real surprise i guess.

Laval QB Hugo Richard is a real deal talent IMO - poised, accurate passer and mobile and can run for yardage. Maybe the best CIS QB of the past decade or so IMO.

Be interesting to see if it ends up a Vanier rematch with Laval getting another shot at Western; pretty well guarantee that Richard will not have the time to pass nor the wide open receivers against that Western D, that he is seeing today.

[jerrym]

Be interesting to see if it ends up a Vanier rematch with Laval getting another shot at Western; pretty well guarantee that Richard will not have the time to pass nor the wide open receivers against that Western D, that he is seeing today.

Rematch is what we will get as Chris Merchant led Western to a dominating 47-24 victory over the Saskatchewan Huskies, despite suffering a back injury during the game. Both QBs looked good in each passing for over 250 yards, but Western was able to limit the Huskies to one TD in the second half.

[jerrym]

Pat Sheahan, HC of the Queens Gaels, is retiring after 30 years as a USports coach - 11 with Concordia and 19 with Queens. He won the Vanier Cup in 2009, was 2008 National coach of the year, three times OUA coach of the year, and finished fifth in USports history with 165 regular season wins.

[jerrym]

QB Adam Singara of the Calgary Dinos has won the 2018 Hec Crighton award as USports football MOP after throwing for a record 3,233 yards and leading the Dinos to an 8-0 record. Other winners were: DE Mathieu Betts (outstanding lineman for a record third year in a row); WR Tyson Philpot (rookie of the year); LB Fraser Sopick (stand-up defensive player of the year); DB Mackenzie Ferguson (combined excellence in football, academics and citizenship); and Greg Marshall (coach of the year).

[OV Argo]

QB Adam Singara of the Calgary Dinos has won the 2018 Hec Crighton award as USports football MOP after throwing for a record 3,233 yards and leading the Dinos to an 8-0 record. Other winners were: DE Mathieu Betts (outstanding lineman for a record third year in a row); WR Tyson Philpot (rookie of the year); LB Fraser Sopick (stand-up defensive player of the year); DB Mackenzie Ferguson (combined excellence in football, academics and citizenship); and Greg Marshall (coach of the year).


Should be a great Vanier match-up - and 2 of those outstanding D players - Betts & Sopik - will be on display in the game along with 2 (IMO) outstanding QB talents in Richard & Merchant.

Love to see the Argos draft both Betts (amazing DE resume - but supposed to get an NFL look ? - so stay away with a 1st rounder if he does) and Sopik (real nose for ball OLB, but might make a fine CFL safety as well - i believe he will be around mid to late rounds if he cannot run a fast 40 time).

Also like to see the Argos sign either of Merchant (could be drafted) or Richard (available as a FA since he was not picked last draft) - whichever of the 2 they would grade out best and IMO they are similar complete package QBs with poise/smarts, good arm + mobility - and give them a real look in Argo TC QB competition. Unlikely that will happen though.

[jerrym]

Led by QB Hugo Richard, Laval defeated Western 34-20 in the 54th Vanier Cup.



Laval extracted a measure of revenge against the No. 1-ranked Mustangs, who beat the Rouge et Or 39-17 in last year’s national football championship in Hamilton.

This time, in near-ideal November football weather, Richard thrilled the 12,380 hometown fans by completing 23-of-31 pass attempts for 348 yards and two touchdowns. The fifth-year QB also ran for 60 yards and a score.

Laval has won 10 Vanier Cups in the 26-year history of the program. Western was hoping to add an eight title and keep a 23-game undefeated streak alive.

This was the third time Laval and Western have met in the Vanier Cup. The Rouge et Or won the first matchup in 2008.

Western QB Chris Merchant completed 26-of-46 passes for 358 yards and one touchdown but was intercepted three times.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/usports/laval-routs-western-capture-vanier-cup-title/

[jerrym]

After firing HC Greg Knox following an incident involving a game official in October, McMaster has hired Stefan Ptaszek, who turned the Marauders into a national powerhouse that won the Vanier Cup in 2011, as HC. In 2018 he was OC for UBC.

[jerrym]

DL Mathieu Betts of Laval, who is the first USports player to win the Outstanding DL three years in a row and who has had 3 NFL teams come to see his games, as well as the Dino's DL Joel Van Pelt, have been invited to the East-West Shrine game.

[j-ski]

Kurleigh Gittens Jr.(Laurier) and Michael O'Connor(UBC) have been invited to play in the FCS National Bowl in Daytona Florida on December 9th.

https://www.fcsbowl.com/rosters

Wow! A Canadian quarterback gets an American All Star game invite.

[AngeloV]

Kurleigh Gittens Jr.(Laurier) and Michael O'Connor(UBC) have been invited to play in the FCS National Bowl in Daytona Florida on December 9th.

https://www.fcsbowl.com/rosters

Wow! A Canadian quarterback gets an American All Star game invite.

Probably because he red shirted at Penn State before transferring to UBC.

[jerrym]

Riders' fifth overall draft pick OL Dakota Shepley from UBC continues to pursue his NFL dreams. He attended the Jets TC but was cut at the end of the camp. He has recently had workouts with the Browns and Broncos.

[jerrym]

The University of Guelph Gryphons have signed Ryan Sheahan as their new HC.



Sheahan, 38, is a Montreal native who joins the Gryphons after having spent the previous four seasons at the University of Calgary where he served as the Dinos’ assistant head coach and offensive coordinator.

"I am tremendously excited for the opportunity to work with the talented staff and student-athletes here at Guelph," says Sheahan, who becomes the 17th head coach in program history, in a news release. "I cannot thank the people in Calgary enough for four excellent seasons there."

Throughout his tenure at the University of Calgary, Sheahan consistently showcased the ability to develop some of the most prolific offences in U SPORTS history, said the release.

In his first season as offensive coordinator with the Dinos, Sheahan helped guide Calgary quarterback Andrew Buckley to a new national record for single-season passing yards (3,162) while also establishing a new Canada West standard for completion percentage (72%) to go along with a 19-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

In Sheahan's most recent season as Calgary's offensive coordinator, he once again helped re-write the U SPORTS record book, this time working with All-Canadian quarterback Adam Sinagra to set a new single-season record for passing yards (3,233), said the release.

On Sheahan's watch, both of those aforementioned Calgary quarterbacks would go on to be named recipients of the prestigious Hec Crighton award as the country's most outstanding player in Canadian university football.

"Statistically and technically, there's no question that Ryan is one of the brightest young minds in the country. But what excites us the most about bringing him on board is the outstanding leadership qualities he possesses," says Scott McRoberts, director of athletics at the University of Guelph, in the release.

https://www.guelphmercury.com/community-story/9118352-new-head-coach-for-university-of-guelph-gryphons-football-team/

[jerrym]

Former National Tiger Cat WR Corey Grant, who was assistant OC for Hamilton in 2018, is expected to be named OC of the McMaster Marauders, according to Drew Edwards. He was McMaster's WR coach in 2010-11.