It’s Bowl time south of the border.
Beginning Saturday December 20st 2014, and running until Sunday January 4th, 38 NCAA FBS Bowl Games will be played.
24 “Canadians” play for teams that will be playing in 14 of those games.
CanadafootballChat.com gives you a guide of which games Canadian players will be involved in during the Bowl period:
NEW ORLEANS BOWL (DECEMBER 20TH):
At New Orleans, Louisiana, a British Columbia standout will be in this contest for the Nevada Wolfpack as they battle LA Lafayette.
MALCOLM LEE – The 6’3, 190 pound wide receiver from Burnaby, British Columbia is a freshman with the Wolfpack. Previous to the Wolfpack, Lee played for Saint Thomas More of the British Columbia High School Football Association (BCHSFA). He was also ranked in the CFC 100 CLASS 2014.
CAMELLIA BOWL (DECEMBER 20TH):
At Montgomery, Alabama, two Ontario players will be involved as Bowling Green Falcons battle against South Alabama.
RYAN HUNTER – The 6’4, 338 pound offensive lineman who is a native of North Bay, Ontario is in his freshman year with the Falcons. Among the teams the Ontario born offensive lineman has played for include Ecole Secondaire Catholique Algonquin, Canisuis Crusaders (Buffalo, New York) and Nipissing Wild of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC). During his career, the Ontario offensive lineman has been honoured for his play on the field. Those honours include Trench Trophy as the best lineman of Western New York, Buffalo News Player of the Year and a selection to the State first all-star team.
BRANDON BRIDGE – The 6’5, 235 pound quarterback from Mississauga, Ontario is a senior with the South Alabama Jaguars. Previous to the Jaguars, Bridge suited up for St. Marcellinus Spirit of the Region of Peel Secondary School Athletic Association (ROPSSAA).
BOCA RATON BOWL (DECEMBER 23RD):
At Boca Raton, Florida, one Ontario standout will be involved as Northern Illinois Huskies take on Marshall.
JUWAN BRESCACIN – The 6’4, 224 pound wide receiver from Mississauga, Ontario is a junior with the Huskies. Previous to the Huskies, Brescacin played for Indiana’s Culver Academy.
HAWAII BOWL (DECEMBER 24TH):
At Honolulu, Hawaii, Ontario and British Columbia players involved as Rice Owls battle Fresno State.
PETER GODBER – The 6’3, 295 pound offensive lineman who is a native of Toronto, Ontario is in his freshman season with the Rice Owls. Previous to the Owls, Godber played for St. Andrew’s College Saints of the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA). For four seasons, he was has been part of the Metro Toronto Wildcats of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL). While with the Wildcats, he was twice named team lineman of the year. Furthermore, Peter was junior varsity OVFL all-star in 2009 and senior OVFL all-star in 2010. In July 2011, Godber served as captain of Team Ontario East at the Football Canada Cup in Lethbridge, Alberta. He travelled to Texas to participate in the Team World developmental team in January 2012.
CHRISTIAN COVINGTON – The 6’3, 300 defensive tackle from Vancouver, British Columbia is a junior with Rice Owls. Previous to the Owls, Convington suited up for his high school team, Vancouver College Fighting Irish of the British Columbia High School Football Association (BCHSFA). He guided the Fighting Irish to a ‘AAA’ Championship Title and was recognized for his efforts on the field as he was named 2010 BC ‘AAA’ Provincial Defensive Player of the Year and 2010 BC ‘AAA’ Western Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
MILITARY BOWL (DECEMBER 27TH):
At Annapolis, Maryland, an Ontario standout will be involved as Virginia Tech squares off against Cincinnati
JOSHUA STANFORD – The 6’1, 200 pound wide receiver who is a native of Mississauga, Ontario is in his sophomore season with the Virginia Tech Hokies. Prior to the Hokies, Stanford suited up for Martin Luther King in Georgia where first-team Group 2AAAAA all-region selection. Moreover, he played for Duluth High School as well as St. Marcellinus Spirit of the of the Region of Peel Secondary Schools Athletic Association (ROPSSAA).
PINSTRIPE BOWL (DECEMBER 27TH):
At Bronx New York, four Ontario and Quebec standouts will be involved as Boston College Eagles take on Penn State Nittany Lions.
MEHDI ABDESMAD (INJURED – OUT FOR SEASON) – The 6’7, 297 pound defensive lineman who is a native of Montreal, Quebec is in his senior year with the Eagles. Abdesmad’s season ended prematurely as he tore his left patellar tendon in the team’s loss to Florida State earlier in the season. In four games this season with the Eagles, Abdesmad ranked third on the team for sacks (2.0). Up until his injury, he registered 17 tackles, including 3.5 for a loss. The defensive tackle was a junior with the Eagles.Previous to the Eagles, Abdesmad played with CEGEP Division 1 team, Vieux-Montreal Spartiates. During his time with the Spartiates, Abdesmad was honoured with Division 1 Defensive MVP Award in 2010 as well as an All-Star selection. He led the Spartiates to a 2009 Bol D’Or championship and got the team to the finals in 2010.Abdesmad also represented Canada on international fronts. The Quebec defensive tackle participated in the Team World versus Team USA 2010 game that was held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Moreover, Abdesmad led Team Canada to a silver-medal finish at the 2009 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Junior World Championships in Canton, Ohio.
JOEL ZOUNGRANA – The 6’0, 197 pound wide receiver who is a native Montreal Quebec is a junior with the Eagles. Previous to the Eagles, Zoungrana played for CEGEP Division 1 team, Champlain-Lennoxville Cougars. In 2010, he was named Cougars Offensive MVP and selected as a CEGEP Division 1 All-Star at the return specialist position.
AKEEL LYNCH – The 6’0, 215 pound running back from Toronto, Ontario is a junior with the Nittany Lions. Previous to the Nittany Lions, the native of Toronto, Ontario enjoyed a successful football career with St.Francis Red Raiders (Buffalo, New York high school team). During his time with the Red Raiders, Lynch was selected as New York Gatorade Player of the Year in 2011 and was also selected to the First Team All-Western New York squad. The running back broke school records as he rushed for 2,131 yards on 213 carries and scored 25 touchdowns.
Among the teams Lynch has previously suited up in Canada has included St.Michael’s Kerry Blues of the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA) and the Toronto Jr. Argos football team.
MICHAEL O’CONNOR – The 6’4, 226 pound pivot from Ottawa, Ontario redshirted his freshman season with the Nittany Lions and will be leaving the program. Previous to the Nittany Lions, O’Connor was playing at the IMG Football Academy in Braneton, Florida, where he was training with former Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke. O’Connor also attended Baylor in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Previous to playing football south of the border, the Ontario quarterback suited up for the Ashbury Colts of the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA), where he led the team to a conference title. Additionally, he played for the Orleans Bengals of National Capital Amateur Football Association (NCAFA). The Bengals won the league’s ‘A’ Championship in 2010.
O’Connor has been honoured for his exceptional play on the field throughout his career. Those achievements include: Colts MVP (2010), Championship MVP (2010), All-Star MVP (2010), top Junior player at the New England Patriot’s Football Camp (2010), top Senior quarterback, and player at Patriots Camp (2011), invite to the Top Prospects Camp at the University of Oklahoma and honours for his performances at NUC combines in Rochester, Delaware, as well as the University of Syracuse Camp. Last year, O’Connor was ranked number one in the CFC 100.
HOLIDAY BOWL (DECEMBER 27TH):
At San Diego, California, one Ontario standout will be on the roster for Nebraska Cornhuskers as the team battles USC.
DAVID KNEVEL – The 6’9, 310 pound offensive lineman who is a native of Brantford, Ontario is in his freshman year with the Cornhuskers. Knevel played his high school football at Pauline Johnson (Brantford) and community football for the Brantford Bisons (OVFL). He was a member of the Canadian National Junior team that won a gold medal at the 2012 World Junior Championship.
RUSSELL ATHLETIC BOWL (DECEMBER 29TH):
At Orlando, Florida, one Ontario standout will be involved when Oklahoma Sooners face off against Clemson.
JOSIAH ST. JOHN – The 6’6, 300 pound offensive lineman who is a native of Pickering, Ontario is in his junior year with the Sooners. Among the teams he’s previously played for in Canada were the Pickering Trojans and the Ajax/Pickering Dolphins of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL). In 2011 season, Josiah left Canada to attend Fresno City College, a junior college in California. That year, he helped the school’s team, the Fresno City Rams, to state conference championship. After two years at Fresno, Josiah moved to Athens, Texas where he suited up for the Trinity Valley Cardinals of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
TEXAS BOWL (DECEMBER 29TH):
At Houston, Texas, a British Columbia standout wlll be involved as Texas Longhorns square off against Arkansas.
BLAKE WHITELEY – The 6’5, 250 pound tight end from Vancouver, British Columbia is currently in his sophomore season with the Longhorns. Previous to the Longhorns,the tight end played for Arizona Western College Marauders of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA – JUCO). Prior to JUCO, Whiteley enjoyed tremendous success north of the border with his high school team, West Vancouver Highlanders of the British Columbia High School Football Association (BCHSFA). In his senior season in 2012, the tight end amassed over 1100 yards, over 70 receptions and scored 16 touchdowns. The league recognized him with a selection to the ‘AAA’ All-Star Team.
ORANGE BOWL (DECEMBER 31ST):
At Miami Gardens, Florida, a Quebec standout will be involved as Mississippi State Bulldogs take on Georgia Tech.
JUSTIN SENIOR – The 6’5, 295 pound offensive lineman from Montreal, Quebec is in his sophomore season with Mississippi State Bulldogs. He attended Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia.
COTTON BOWL (JANUARY 1ST):
At Arlington, Texas, five Canadians will be on rosters as Michigan State Spartans face off against Baylor.
JAMES BODANIS – The 6’5, 297 pound defensive lineman who is a native of Toronto, Ontario is a senior with the Spartans. Previous to the Spartans, Bodanis suited up for the University of Toronto Varsity Blues for two seasons. He played high school football for Chaminade Gryphons of the Toronto District College Athletic Association (TDCAA).
ARJEN COLQUHOUN – The 6’1, 195 pound defensive back who is a native of Windsor, Ontario is in his junior season with the Spartans. Previous to the Spartans, Colquhoun played high school football W.F Herman Green Griffins of the Windsor and Essex County Secondary Schools Athletic Association (WECSSAA) where he was the 2010 League Defensive MVP of the Windsor & Essex County and named as a League All-Star.
DAVID FENNELL – The 6’2, 276 pound defensive tackle who is a native of Calgary, Alberta is in his sophomore season with the Spartans. Previous to the Spartans, he played for Sunset High School in Portland, Oregon. In 2011, Fennell was Class 6A first-team all-state selection by The Oregonian and named All-Metro League Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally, he suited up for Rundle Cobras and was selected as a Calgary All-Star in 2010.
TYLER TOPOLINSKI – The 6’2, 243 pound defensive end who is a native of Richmond Hill, Ontario is redshirting his freshman year with the Spartans. Previous to the Spartans, Topolinski suited up for both St. Andrew’s College Saints and Upper Canada College Blues of the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA). Additionally, he won an OVFL league championship title with the Toronto Thunder in 2010.
MICHAEL TOPOLINSKI – The 6’0, 199 pound linebacker who is a native of Richmond, Ontario is a junior with the Spartans. Previous to the Spartans, Topolinski has suited up for McMaster Marauders, Upper Canada College Blues of the Conference of Independent Schools Athletic Association (CISAA) and New Mexico Military Institute.
TAXSLAYER BOWL (JANUARY 2ND):
At Jacksonville, Florida, two Ontario players will be involved as Iowa Hawkeyes take on Tennessee.
TEVAUN SMITH – The 6’2, 200 pound wide receiver who is a native of Toronto, Ontario is a junior with the Hawkeyes. The wide receiver previously played for the Toronto Metro Wildcats (OVFL) and Chaminade College School Gryphons. In the 2010-2011 season, Smith got MVP for the Gryphons. For his exceptional play with Kent School in Connecticut, Smith made All New England offensive player. Additionally, he led Kent into championship football game against Taft and says losing that game is the highlight of his football career. He was awarded the team’s MVP Award.
FAITH EKAKITIE – The 6’3, 287 pound defensive lineman from Brampton, Ontario is a sophomore with the Hawkeyes. Previous to the Hawkeyes, Ekakitie played for Lake Forest Academy in Illinois.
ALAMO BOWL (JANUARY 2ND):
At San Antonio, Texas, as Ontario standout will be involved as UCLA tackles Kansas State.
ELI ANKOU – The 6’3, 295 pound defensive tackle who is a native of Ottawa, Ontario redshirted his freshman season with the UCLA Bruins. Previous to the Bruins, Ankou has enjoyed much success in the Canadian and American football ranks. North of the border, the Ottawa native has suited up for the Cumberland Panthers of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) and St. Peter’s Knights high school team. Subsequently after those stints, the defensive standout moved to the United States to play for the Red Lion Christian Academy in Delaware. Among the awards and honours he’s received over the course of his career include MVP honours at both the NLA Bigmen Challenge and Nike Rutgers Camps. Moreover, Ankou was named best rusher at the United States Army Combine which was held in San Antonio, Texas and also received the MVP and Leadership Award at the Elite Badger Challenge.
CACTUS BOWL (JANUARY 2ND):
At Tempe, Arizona, one British Columbia standout will be on the roster as Washington battles Oklahoma State.
BRAYDEN LENIUS – The 6’5, 217 pound wide receiver from North Vancouver, British Columbia is in his freshman season with the Washington Huskies. Previous to the Huskies, he suited up for Chaminade West Hills, a private preparatory school in California. Lenius enjoyed a successful high school career with the Carson Graham Eagles of the British Columbia High School Football Association (BCHSFA). In 2012, the wide receiver played a pivotal role in the successful comeback campaign the Eagles mounted to win the Buchanan Bowl. In the 22-19 victory, Lenius scored all three touchdowns for the team.
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