CFL.ca Staff
OTTAWA — Western Ontario quarterback Michael Faulds, Saint Mary’s defensive lineman Devon Hicks and Saskatchewan kicker Grant Shaw are the Canadian Interuniversity Sport football players of the week for the period ending Oct. 24, 2009.
The selection was made by a committee comprised of members of University Football Reporters of Canada (UFRC).
Faulds, a fifth-year kinesiology student from Eden Mills, Ont., received the nod on offence following a record-breaking performance in the No. 5-ranked Mustangs’ regular season finale, a 47-0 win over Toronto. The 6-foot-2, 197-pound senior completed 39 of 52 passes for a personal-best 550 yards and two touchdowns against the Varsity Blues, giving him 3,033 yards through the air on the season and 10,811 for his career, both new CIS marks. Western (6-2), which finished third in the OUA standings, hosts Guelph (3-5) in the first round of the playoffs Saturday at 1 p.m. (The Score).
Mount Allison receiver Gary Ross, Concordia quarterback Rob Mackay and Calgary slotback Anthony Parker were also up for the award on offence.
Hicks, a first-year student from Dade City, Florida, took home the weekly honour on defence after he returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns in a 41-7 domination of StFX (5-2) that allowed No. 6-Saint Mary’s (6-1) to secure first place in the AUS standings. The 6-foot-2, 260-pound lineman, who has had professional tryouts with Green Bay in the NFL and Saskatchewan and Winnipeg of the CFL, scored from four and 18 yards out in a span of 3:17 in the second quarter to give the Huskies a 14-0 lead. He also had four tackles, forced a fumble and shared a quarterback sack.
Laval linebacker Samaël Lavaud, Wilfrid Laurier free safety Scott McCahill and UBC safety Alex Babalos were also nominated.
Shaw, a second-year arts and sciences student from Edmonton, was the choice on special teams after he booted a CIS season-high six field goals in a 39-3 victory over Alberta that allowed No. 3-Saskatchewan (6-1) to remain in a tie for first place in the Canada West with No. 2-Calgary heading into the final weekend of the regular season. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound kicker, who is tied with Saint Mary’s Justin Palardy for the CIS season lead with 19 field goals, split the uprights from 11 (twice), 17, 27, 37 and 42 yards out against the Bears to come to within one of the Huskies’ single-game mark held since 1996 by Matt Kellett, one of only five players in CIS history to boot more than six field goals in a match.
Saint Mary’s kicker Justin Palardy, Bishop’s running back Kyle Exumé and Wilfrid Laurier kicker Chris Mamo were also up for the distinction.
