Heather breaks Finch’s week-old CIS passing record

OTTAWA  – Bishop’s quarterback Jordan Heather set a CIS football record for most passing yards in a season on Saturday in Sherbrooke, Que., when he racked up 484 in a 40-21 home win over McGill to finish the eight-game RSEQ conference schedule with a mind-boggling 3,132 yards.

The fifth-year senior from Oromocto, N.B., needed 400 yards against the Redmen to break the previous national standard of 3,047 established only a week ago by sophomore Will Finch of Western. Heather shattered the record in spectacular fashion, connecting with speedster Alexander Fox for a 93-yard score on the final play of the third quarter.

It was the fourth touchdown pass of the afternoon for Heather as well as his 20^th this season and the 50^th of his career, both school records. Thanks to 26 completions on 47 attempts on the day, the veteran pivot finished the campaign with 199 completions, another Bishop’s mark and the sixth highest tally in CIS history.

As has been the case all season, Fox was Heather’s primary target versus McGill and ended the contest with a pair of single-game team marks thanks to his 256 yards and four touchdowns on seven catches. The senior from Montreal was the country’s leader this fall in yards (1,009) and majors (12) on receptions, also new Gaiters’ records.

With the victory, nationally seventh-ranked Bishop’s (6-2) finishes second in the Quebec standings and will host Montreal (5-3) next Saturday for an RSEQ semifinal. It will mark the Gaiters’ first conference playoff date on home turf since 1993, the year of their last six-win season (6-1).

Bishop’s did host a national semifinal in 1994, losing 41-24 to Western in the Churchill Bowl.

In next Saturday’s other Quebec semifinal, No. 2 Laval (8-0) will host Sherbrooke (3-5), live on Radio-Canada at 1 p.m.

CIS SINGLE-SEASON LEADERS:

Passing yards

3132    Jordan Heather, Bishop’s (2013)

3047    Will Finch, Western (2013)

3033    Michael Faulds, Western (2009)

3001    Tommy Denison, Queen’s (2002)

2907    Tommy Denison, Queen’s (2003)

 

Passing completions

209      Matt Connell, McGill (2008)

204      Jérémi Roch, Sherbrooke (2012)

203      Tommy Denison, Queen’s (2003)

201      Michael Faulds, Western (2009)

201      Rob Mackay, Concordia (2009)

199      Jordan Heather, Bishop’s (2013)

199      Marshall Ferguson, McMaster (2013)

 

All-purpose touchdowns

25        Paul Brule, StFX (1967)

21        Jesse Lumsden, McMaster (2004)

20        Paul Brule, StFX (1966)

20        Kojo Aidoo, McMaster (2000)

20        Jesse Lumsden, McMaster (2003)

19        Mercer Timmis, Calgary (2013)

 

Rushing touchdowns

21        Paul Brule, StFX (1967)

21        Jesse Lumsden, McMaster (2004)

20        Paul Brule, StFX (1966)

20        Kojo Aidoo, McMaster (2000)

18        Mercer Timmis, Calgary (2013)

 

CIS CAREER LEADERS:

 

Punt return yards

2517    Chris Evraire, Ottawa (1994-98)

2279    Eric Duchene, Saskatchewan (1999-03)

2166    Jahmeek Taylor, Saint Mary’s (2008-12)

2071    Dillon Heap, Laurier (2005 / 2008-11)

2054    Guillaume Rioux, Laval (2009-13)