BLOG: Thursday Sacks (2)

Welcome to the second edition of Thursday sacks. This week we look at the defense stars from week two of the OUA, week one of the Canada-West and lastly week one of the RSEQ. It is yet again, linebacker heavy. So far the best teams in the CIS are the Laval Rouge et Or, Calgary Dinos and Western Mustangs who have outscored their opponents, 150 to 17. Without further ado here are the top defense players in my opinion.

Concordia Stingers second year linebacker, Mickael Cote.
The Stingers were blowout by the Sherbrooke Vert et Or in their home opener losing by a score of 37-0 on Friday night. The only bright spot in the loss was the play of Cote who had seven solos tackles, seven assists for amount of 10.5 tackles in the game which included one tackle for a loss of 17 yards. The defense allowed 342 passing yards in the game which was more than last year as they only allowed 239.6 passing yards in eight games. The Stingers defense will look to bounce back against the Bishop Gaiters on Saturday afternoon.

McGill Redmen second year linebacker, Karl Forgues.
Forgues continues to prove why he is one of the best defense players in Quebec and even in Canada. The second year player had eight solo tackles, seven assists for a total of 11.5 tackles in McGill home opener win over the Bishop Gaiters. He also had two sacks for a loss of 13 yards in the victory. Forgues in his rookie season finished second in the CIS for most solo tackles with 59 and most total tackles with 74.5. He won the RSEQ defense rookie of the year.

UBC Thunderbirds second year defensive back, Taylor Loffler.
Loffler last year was playing NCAA ball for the Boise State Broncos but decided this year to return home to play for the Thunderbirds this year. He already made an impact in his first CIS game against the Calgary Dinos. Loffler had 13 solo tackles, one assists for a total of 13.5 tackles. He also had one tackle for a loss of two yards. Loffler’s efforts however were not good enough for the Thunderbirds as the Dinos beat them, 49-16. The Thunderbirds look to improve on their tackling this year as they were fourteenth in the country in tackling last season.

UBC Thunderbirds fourth year linebacker, Mitch Barnett.
It is pretty unusual for me to pick two players from the same school and especially since that school lost. Barnett in a losing effort had a game to remember as he had three sacks for a loss of 18 yards. He also had eight solo tackles, one assists for total of nine tackles in the game against the Dinos. If Barnett and Loffler continue to do what they are doing right now, the Thunderbirds could make the Canada-West playoffs this year.

Laval Rouge et Or fourth year linebacker, Shayne Gauthier.
The Laval Rouge et Or on Saturday pulled a small upset as they beat the best team in Canada, University of Montreal Carabins. Gauthier was huge reason why the Rouge et or beat number one as he had nine solo tackles, two assists and ten tackles all together. Gauthier a year ago was named an RSEQ All-star on defense. If Gauthier continue to have big games, the Rouge et Or will be tough to beat this year.

Queen Gaels second year linebacker, Nelkas Kwemo.
Kwemo had a career high game in the lost over the Ottawa Gee-Gees on Sunday. He had 12 solo tackles and one assists for a total of 12.5 tackles. Kwemo previous high was against York last season when he had six tackles and a sack.

Guelph Gryphons fifth year linebacker, John Rush.
This might seem like a strange pick because his teammate, Nick Parisotto was named CIS defender of the week for his efforts (two interceptions, 7.5 tackles) in the 30-19 victory of Laurier on Monday. Rush had unbelievable game as he had four solo tackles, 17 assists for a total of 12.5 tackles in the victory. Rush also had 1.5 tackles for a loss of six yards. Guelph with Parisotto and Rush leading the way on defense look like they could be one of the best teams in Canada so far however, this is week two so it’s way too early to tell.

Western Mustangs third year defensive back, Jesse McNair.
I’m pretty sure the Western football team plays a lot of Madden in their free time because their defense has been unstoppable force for opponents so far this season. McNair is the latest Western defensive player to have a good game in a Western domination. Western creamed York, 74-10 on Monday night. McNair had nine solo tackles, one assists for a total of 9.5 tackles. He also had one interception which was return for 21 yards. Is this finally the year that Western wins the Yates Cup? They are for sure playing like one of the top teams in the country.
I hope all have a wonderful weekend filled with CIS football and NFL action. See you all next Thursday.

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