FRC – CIS football players of the week (#5): Gillis, Conn, Taylor honoured

OTTAWA (CIS) – Toronto quarterback Andrew Gillis, Bishop’s linebacker Justin Conn and Saint Mary’s kick returner Jahmeek Taylor are the Canadian Interuniversity Sport football players of the week for the period ending Sept. 26, 2010.

The selection was made by a committee comprised of members of Football Reporters of Canada (FRC).

Gillis, a fourth-year urbanization student from Markham, Ont., was honoured on offence after he led the Varsity Blues (2-3) to a 40-35 upset of the previously undefeated Ottawa Gee-Gees (5-1), who were ranked second in the nation going into the contest. The 5-foot-10, 178-pound pivot completed 28 of 45 passes for a career-high 343 yards and two touchdowns and gained an additional 43 yards on seven carries. In the second quarter, he guided the Blues to back-to-back scoring drives of 74 and 100 yards as the U of T built a 27-14 lead. It marked Toronto’s first win over Ottawa (in 12 tries) since the 1974 Yates Cup final and its first victory over a ranked opponent since 1997.

St. Francis Xavier wide receiver Jordan Catterall and quarterbacks Tristan Grenon of Laval and Marc Mueller of Regina were also up for the award.

Conn, a fifth-year business student from New Maryland, N.B., took home the weekly honour on defence after he racked up four tackles, two tackles for a loss, one quarterback sack and one interception in a 39-21 upset of the previously unbeaten Montreal Carabins (4-1), ranked No. 3 in the CIS Top 10 prior to the game. A sixth-round pick of the Montreal Alouettes in the 2010 CFL Draft, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound senior intercepted a pass on Montreal’s second drive of the day, a play which set up Bishop’s first touchdown for an early 7-0 lead. He also led a stellar team effort against CIS rushing leader Rotrand Sené, who was held to a season-low 109 yards on 19 carries. Following the win, the Gaiters (4-1) moved up to No. 5 in the country, their best ranking since 1998.

Saint Mary’s lineman Dan Schutte and linebackers John Surla of Western Ontario and Nico Higgs of Saskatchewan were also nominated.

Taylor, a third-year arts student from Mississauga, Ont., was the choice on special teams after he amassed 188 yards on 11 punt returns, including an 83-yard touchdown, and returned a kickoff on seven yards as the Huskies (1-3) dominated Acadia (2-2) 45-10 for their first win of the season. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound receiver, who tied the fourth best single-game punt return tally in AUS history, also had 70 rushing yards and a 15-yard catch in the game to finish with 280 all-purpose yards.

Sherbrooke kick returner Raphaël Gagné and kickers Lirim Hajrullahu of Western and Stephen McDonald of Saskatchewan were also up for the distinction.

Offensive nominees:
AUS: Jordan Catterall, wide receiver, StFX
QUFL: Tristan Grenon, quarterback, Laval
OUA: Andrew Gillis, quarterback, Toronto (recipient)
CWUAA: Marc Mueller, quarterback, Regina

Defensive nominees:
AUS: Dan Schutte, defensive lineman, Saint Mary’s
QUFL: Justin Conn, linebacker, Bishop’s (recipient)
OUA: John Surla, linebacker, Western Ontario
CWUAA: Nico Higgs, linebacker, Saskatchewan

Special team nominees:
AUS: Jahmeek Taylor, kick returner, Saint Mary’s (recipient)
QUFL: Raphaël Gagné, kick returner, Sherbrooke
OUA: Lirim Hajrullahu, kicker, Western Ontario
CWUAA: Stephen McDonald, kicker, Saskatchewan

CIS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE (all times LOCAL)

Note: Complete webcast and radio schedules at [URL]http://english.cis-sic.ca/sports/fball/2010-11/schedule

October 7
19:00 Guelph (3-2) at No. 9 McMaster (4-2) (Cable 14)

October 8
19:00 Saint Mary’s (1-3) at StFX (1-3)
19:00 No. 5 Bishop’s (4-1) at Sherbrooke (2-3)

October 9
13:00 McGill (0-5) at Concordia (2-3)
13:00 No. 1 Laval (5-0) at No. 7 Montreal (4-1) (SRC)
13:00 York (0-5) at Windsor (1-4)
13:00 No. 10 Laurier (3-2) at No. 6 Ottawa (5-1) (Rogers TV Cable 22 – tape delayed to 14:00 & 20:00)
13:00 Toronto (2-3) at Queen’s (1-4) (TVCogeco Local 13 – tape delayed)
14:00 Acadia (2-2) at Mount Allison (2-2) (EastLink)

About Football Reporters of Canada – University Division

The Football Reporters of Canada – University Division represents journalists and broadcasters in every region of the country covering CIS Football. Since 1958 the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) have been an organization of media members who have covered the Canadian Football League, serving to select the league’s outstanding players, coach-of-the-year and all-star teams through voting conducted by its members. In 2009, the FRC amalgamated with the University Football Reporters of Canada (UFRC) to give the organization greater scope in its affiliation with amateur and college football.

The FRC also works with the CFL and CIS to establish guidelines and working conditions for the men and women who report on the game. Selected members of the FRC also help to choose builders, players and media members for induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

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