CFL.ca Staff
OTTAWA – Mount Allison quarterback Kelly Hughes, Simon Fraser linebacker Brian Ridgeway and Saskatchewan kicker Connor MacDougall are the Canadian Interuniversity Sport football players of the week for the period ending Oct. 4, 2008.
Hughes, a third-year commerce student from Burlington, Ont., accounted for nearly 400 yards of offence as the Mounties (2-3) doubled Acadia 42-21 to move into a tie for second place in the AUFC standings. The six-foot, 200-pound pivot threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns and added 152 yards on the ground on 19 carries, including a 21-yard major in the fourth quarter. In only his third season, Hughes became Mount Allison’s all-time leader with 4,461 career passing yards.
Sherbrooke running back Pascal Fils, Guelph receiver Jedd Gardner and Saskatchewan tailback Dathan Thomas were also up for the offensive award.
Ridgeway, an arts student from Grande Prairie, Alta., earned the nod on defence for his team-high 8.5 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in a defensive battle that saw the No. 8-ranked Clan (4-2) edge Vanier Cup champion Manitoba 10-8 in a shootout to remain in a tie for first place in Canada West. The six-foot, 210-pound linebacker played the entire game out of position at defensive end as teammate Jamie McCartney was forced out of the lineup with an injury.
Linebackers Henoc Muamba of StFX, Joash Gesse of Montreal and John Surla of Western Ontario were also nominated.
MacDougall, a second-year arts and science student from Saskatoon, received the special teams award after he kicked a career-best five field goals, including two of more than 40 yards, and accounted for 19 points in a 37-3 Saskatchewan victory over UBC. After missing his first field goal attempt of the day from only 14 yards out, which still gave the No. 4 Huskies (4-1) a single point, the 21-year-old was good from 42, 29, 30, 46 and 22 yards. He also kicked three converts and averaged 43.8 yards on four punts.
Mount Allison returner Gary Ross, Sherbrooke kicker William Dion, and Gardner, who also returns kicks for Guelph, were also up for the distinction.
