Hamilton, Ontario – Earlier today, the Canadian Football League announced the nominees for the 2007 CFL Most Outstanding Player Awards. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ nominees include the following players:
ZEKE MORENO / LINEBACKER
Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Defensive Player
In his first CFL season, Moreno has made an immediate impact on the field. The star middle linebacker has led the CFL in defensive tackles for a majority of the season and is currently on pace to shatter the Ticats single-season record. The former USC Trojan has recorded 101 defensive tackles, 16 special teams tackles, one quarterback sack and two interceptions thus far in 2007.
JESSE LUMSDEN / RUNNING BACK
Most Outstanding Canadian
Lumsden enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2007, carrying the ball 98 times for 743 yards (a remarkable 7.6 yards-per-carry average) and three touchdowns while adding 26 receptions for 348 receiving yards and a touchdown in an injury-shortened 10 game season. Lumsden completed the CFL’s longest run of the season when he recorded a 75-yard run on August 3 against Winnipeg as a part of his season-high 212 rushing yard performance.
The former McMaster star was twice named CFL Offensive and Canadian Player of the Week and also earned a nod as CFL Canadian Player of the Month. This is Lumsden’s first nomination for the Most Outstanding Canadian award.
MARWAN HAGE / CENTRE
Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman
Hage, a four-year veteran, has anchored of the Ticats young offensive line that has guided the Black and Gold to a league-high 6.1 yards-per-carry average. This is Hage’s first nomination for a CFL player award.
NICK SETTA / KICKER/PUNTER
Most Outstanding Rookie and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player
Kicker Nick Setta has enjoyed a phenomenal debut season with the Cats. Through 16 games, Setta leads the league in kicking points (147) and field goal percentage (85.1%) after connecting on 40 of 47 field goal attempts and 16 of 16 PATs. Setta’s 52 yard field goal on July 27 is tied for the longest successful attempt this season.
Setta has punted 116 times for 5,073 yards (43.7 avg) and 4,606 net yards (39.7 avg). Last week in Saskatchewan, Setta kicked a team-record 97-yard punt at Mosaic Stadium.
In this first ballot, five FRC representatives from every CFL city plus the respective head coach submitted votes for each category. The East and West Rogers CFL Player Award voting results will be announced on Wednesday, October 31.
About the Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a member of the Canadian Football League (CFL) with a rich 138-year history, which includes 42 Canadian Football Hall of Famers and 15 Grey Cup Championships. For more information log onto www.ticats.ca
– 30 –
