Laval quarterback Benoit Groulx and Western Ontario defensive back Craig Butler are the Canadian Interuniversity Sport football players of the week for the period ending Nov. 16, 2008.
Groulx, a fourth-year education student from Montreal, was named Uteck Bowl MVP last Sunday after he led the No. 1-ranked Rouge et Or (11-0) to a 59-10 domination of visiting, No. 6 Calgary (7-4) and a berth in Saturday’s Desjardins Vanier Cup in Hamilton. The 5-foot-9, 216-pound pivot, who set a CIS single-season record this fall completing 75.2 percent of his passes, was 12-of-14 for 254 yards and three touchdowns in two quarters of action against the Dinos, and also had a five-yard TD run to open the scoring one minute and 33 seconds into the game. Groulx is the QUFL nominee for the Hec Crighton Trophy that will be presented Thursday night to the CIS player of the year.
Saint Mary’s receiver Carl Hardwick and Western Ontario wide receiver Nick Trevail were also up for the award on offence.
Butler is the player of the week on both defence and special teams.
The second-year sociology student from London, Ont., received the Maury Van L. Vliet Trophy as Mitchell Bowl MVP after he guided the No. 3 Mustangs (10-1) to a 28-12 home victory over No. 5 Saint Mary’s (8-2) and a first appearance in the Vanier Cup final since 1995. The sophomore scored on a 57-yard interception return with 54 seconds left in the first half to give Western a 25-12 lead going into the break, and also gave the Mustangs great field position all afternoon returning eight punts on 126 yards and a field goal on 20 yards.
Saint Mary’s defensive back Joel Lipinski and Laval tackle Étienne Légaré were also nominated on defence.
Lipinski and Laval receiver Victor Tremblay were also up for the special teams award.
Offensive nominees:
AUFC: Carl Hardwick, receiver, Saint Mary’s
QUFL: Benoit Groulx, quarterback, Laval (recipient)
OUA: Nick Trevail, wide receiver, Western Ontario
Canada West: no nomination
Defensive nominees:
AUFC: Joel Lipinski, defensive back, Saint Mary’s
QUFL: Étienne Légaré, tackle, Laval
OUA: Craig Butler, defensive back, Western Ontario (recipient)
Canada West: no nomination
Special team nominees:
AUFC: Joel Lipinski, defensive back, Saint Mary’s
QUFL: Victor Tremblay, receiver, Laval
OUA: Craig Butler, defensive back, Western Ontario (recipient)
Canada West: no nomination
CIS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Saturday, Nov. 22
2:00 pm Desjardins Vanier Cup: Ivor Wynne Stadium, Hamilton (The Score & RDS / webcast on SSN Canada)
