CFL POW (17): Cornish, McCoil & Lawrence

TORONTO – Jon Cornish, Dexter McCoil and Kendial Lawrence were named the Canadian Football League Players of the Week for Week 17 of the 2014 Canadian Football League season.

The three players were chosen by a panel of judges including: former Canadian Football League players Matt Dunigan and Duane Forde of TSN, and Pierre Vercheval of RDS.

CFL Offensive and Canadian Player of the Week

Jon Cornish  

RB – Calgary Stampeders

Calgary Stampeders 33 @ Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23

Calgary Stampeders running back Jon Cornish was named the Offensive Player of the Week for Week 17. Cornish collected 172 yards from scrimmage on 22 touches and scored a touchdown in Calgary’s 33-23 victory over the Blue Bombers. Cornish was also recognized as the Canadian Player of the Week for his standout performance.

The New Westminster, B.C. native rushed the ball 21 times for 160 yards (7.6 yards per carry) including a nine-yard touchdown run late in the fourth to seal the victory for the Stampeders. The win secured the West Division crown for the visitors.

The product of the University of Kansas added a single reception for 12 yards in the contest.

Despite playing only eight games this season, Cornish leads the CFL in rushing with 977 yards on 127 carries. He has averaged 7.4 yards on 18 receptions and has recorded six majors on the year.

This is the third time this season that Cornish has received both Offensive and Canadian Player of the Week honours; he also accomplished the feat in Weeks 10 and 12

CFL Defensive Player of the Week

Dexter McCoil

LB – Edmonton Eskimos

Edmonton Eskimos 24 @ Saskatchewan Roughriders 19

Edmonton Eskimos linebacker Dexter McCoil was named the Defensive Player of the Week for Week 17. McCoil had a career-high seven tackles, while adding a pass knockdown and an interception to help the Eskimos to a 24-19 win in Regina.

After defensive end Willie Jefferson hit Kerry Joseph mid-pass to send the ball off-course, McCoil – a former Tulsa Hurricane – won the ensuing jump ball for his league-leading sixth interception.

The first-year player from Metairie, Louisiana leads the Eskimos with 61 tackles this season and his six interceptions are one clear of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Maurice Leggett.

McCoil’s back-to-back Defensive Player of the Week awards are the second and third of his career following his first in Week 9.

CFL Special Teams Player of the Week

Kendial Lawrence

KR/PR – Edmonton Eskimos

Edmonton Eskimos 24 @ Saskatchewan Roughriders 19

Edmonton Eskimos returner Kendial Lawrence was named the Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 17. Lawrence recorded 150 combined return yards and scored a touchdown as the Eskimos used a furious second half rally to knockoff the Riders at Mosaic.

The rookie out of Missouri University returned three kickoffs for a total of 135 yards, including a 96-yard kickoff return on the opening play of the second half to spur the Eskimos’ comeback

The native of Rockwall, Texas also returned five punts for 15 yards.

The 5’9″ 195-pound slotback has returned eleven kickoffs for 383 yards (34.8 yards per return) and has scored a pair of touchdowns. He has also averaged 9.3 yards on 35 punt returns this season

This is Lawrence’s first career Player of the Week award.