FRC – CIS players of the week (11): Demski, Hovington, Hajrullahu honoured

OTTAWA – Manitoba slotback Nic Demski, Laval cornerback Alexander Hovington and Western kicker Lirim Hajrullahu are the CIS football players of the week for the period ending Nov. 2, 2013.

Demski, a third-year arts student from Winnipeg, was honoured on offence thanks to his three fourth-quarter touchdown catches in a come-from-behind 37-36 Canada West semifinal win over visiting Saskatchewan, last Friday. The 6-foot speedster, who finished the contest with 115 yards on seven receptions, caught a 39-yard TD pass from quarterback Jordan Yantz four early in the final frame to make it 29-24 Saskatchewan, scored from 13-yard out with five minutes left on the clock to once again bring Manitoba to within five, at 36-31, and then hauled in a 32-yard pass with 1:23 remaining for the game-winning major. The nationally ninth-ranked Bisons (6-3) visit No. 3 Calgary (9-0) Saturday at 2 p.m. MST in the Hardy Cup final (SHAW TV & www.canadawest.tv).

Running backs Jordan Botel of Mount Allison, Sean Thomas-Erlington of Montreal and Ryan Granberg of Queen’s were also up for the award.

Hovington, a first-year open studies student from St. Hubert, Que., took home the weekly honour on defence following a remarkable relief performance in the Rouge et Or’s 32-11 RSEQ semifinal victory over Sherbrooke, Saturday in Quebec City. Called into action in the second quarter following an injury to Laval’s starting corner, the 5-foot-11, 174-pound rookie intercepted three passes from all-star pivot Jérémi Roch, which he returned on 100 yards in total, and also contributed 4.5 tackles, one fumble recovery and a pass breakup. Second-ranked Laval (9-0) hosts No. 7 Montreal (6-3) Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Dunsmore Cup final (Radio-Canada TV & webcast).

Mount Allison defensive back Kwame Adjei, Queen’s linebacker Sam Sabourin and Calgary linebacker Tom Spoletini were also nominated.

Hajrullahu, a fifth-year kinesiology student from St. Catharines, Ont., earned the nod on special teams thanks to a record performance in Western’s 32-3 OUA semifinal win against visiting McMaster. The 6-foot, 190-pound senior, who set a new conference mark earlier this fall with 77 career field goals, was good on all six of his attempts on Saturday – including three of over 40 yards – to tie the CIS and OUA playoff record. The top-ranked Mustangs (9-0) host No. 4 Queen’s (8-1) Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Yates Cup final (Sportsnet 360).

Kickers Kyle McLean of Mount Allison, Boris Bedé of Laval and Johnny Mark of Calgary were the other nominees.

Offensive nominees:

AUS: Jordan Botel, running back, Mount Allison

RSEQ: Sean Thomas-Erlington, running back, Montreal

OUA: Ryan Granberg, running back, Queen’s

CWUAA: Nic Demski, slotback, Manitoba (recipient)

Defensive nominees:

AUS: Kwame Adjei, defensive back, Mount Allison

RSEQ: Alexander Hovington, cornerback, Laval (recipient)

OUA: Sam Sabourin, linebacker, Queen’s

CWUAA: Thomas Spoletini, linebacker, Calgary

Special team nominees:

AUS: Kyle McLean, kicker, Mount Allison

RSEQ: Boris Bedé, kicker, Laval

OUA: Lirim Hajrullahu, kicker, Western (recipient)

CWUAA: Johnny Mark, kicker, Calgary

WEEK 12 SCHEDULE: CONFERENCE FINALS (all times local)

NOTE: Click HERE for the complete 2013 playoff schedule.

 

November 9

13:00   RSEQ: No. 7 Montreal (6-3) at No. 2 Laval (9-0) (Radio-Canada TV & video webcast)

13:00   OUA: No. 4 Queen’s (8-1) at No. 1 Western (9-0) (Sportsnet 360)

14:00   AUS: Mount Allison (5-4) at Saint Mary’s (5-3) (Eastlink TV & video webcast)

14:00   Canada West: No. 9 Manitoba (6-3) at No. 3 Calgary (9-0) (SHAW TV & video webcast)