By Tim Cook,
The Canadian Press
SASKATOON – Ask Daryl Stephenson about his aspirations and the Windsor Lancers running back gets right to the point.
“I want to play football as long as I can,” he says. “I’ll do anything, I’ll play anywhere. I just want to play as long as I can and that is what I am focused on right now.” Stephenson’s plans were given a boost Thursday when he won the Hec Crighton Award as Canadian university football’s most outstanding player, one of four athletes honoured at the annual university awards night.
Concordia Stingers linebacker Patrick Donovan won the Presidents’ Trophy as the most outstanding defensive player for the second straight year, Waterloo Warriors tackle Chris Best won the J.P. Metras Trophy as the best down lineman and Calgary Dinos quarterback Dalin Tollestrup won the Peter Gorman Trophy as the top rookie.
Stephenson, a 23-year-old human kinetics student in his third year at Windsor, claimed his second straight CIS rushing title with 1,140 yards on the ground, becoming the first player to rush for 1,000 yards in three straight seasons,
The six-foot-two, 220-pound junior also led Ontario and tied for second in the nation with 11 touchdowns. He led the Lancers to a 6-2 mark and their first home playoff game since 1976.
Stephenson credited his physical style as one of the keys to his success. He said he was a speedster in high school, but in university he learned that he had to give the hits as much as he took them.
“My coaches really stressed that a lot,” he says. “I noticed that when you start being a physical runner, defenders start to back off and that is when the big runs come.”
Stephenson beat out Acadia receiver Ivan Birungi, Laval quarterback Benoit Groulx and Regina Rams pivot Teale Orban for the award.
Western receiver Andy Fantuz, who now plays for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, was last year’s winner.
Donovan is the second player to claim the Presidents’ Trophy in consecutive years, joining UBC’s Mike Emery who won in 1981 and ’82. Donovan finished with 48 1/2 total tackles, two sacks and an interception in leading one of the most dominating defences in the country.
The trophy has actually been in the Donovan family for three years. His brother, Mickey Donovan, who also played with Concordia, won the award in 2004.
“I guess it’s the blood,” Patrick Donovan said after he was given the award. “You’ll have to talk to my dad about that.”
Also nominated were Wilfrid Laurier linebacker Jesse Alexander, Acadia linebacker Steve Faoro and Manitoba linebacker Cory Huclack.
Best, chosen fourth overall in the 2005 CFL draft by the Roughriders, dominated at left tackle with his strengths at trap and run blocking. Coaches praised his ability to make primary, secondary and even tertiary blocks.
He was happy to get the recognition in a province where he one day might play.
“I’ve already been drafted so it can’t really help my draft status,” Best said. “I guess it just makes me slightly more high profile coming in.”
Acadia guard Adam Rogers, Saskatchewan offensive lineman Jordan Rempel and Montreal defensive end Martin Gagne were the other finalists.
Tollestrup was Calgary’s starting quarterback despite being just 18 and excelled behind an injury-plagued offensive line. He passed for 1,941 yards and six touchdowns and finished second on his team with 258 rushing yards.
He is looking forward to being a key member of the Dinos into the future.
“We were definitely young this year, so big things to come in the future,” Tollestrup said. “All I can say is big things coming in Calgary.”
Saint Mary’s kicker Justin Palardy, Guelph running back Nick Fitzgibbon and Montreal Carabins linebacker Joash Gesse were the other nominees.
