CFL.ca Staff
OTTAWA — Calgary running back Matt Walter and Queen’s teammates, defensive end Shomari Williams and kick returner Jimmy Allin, are the Canadian Interuniversity Sport football players of the week for the period ending Nov. 21, 2009.
The selection was made by a committee comprised of members of University Football Reporters of Canada (UFRC).
Walter, a third-year science student from Calgary, received the nod on offence following his game MVP performance in the No. 2 Dinos’ 38-14 Uteck Bowl win over No. 6 Saint Mary’s in Halifax. The 5-foot-10, 210-pound junior racked up 235 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries, including 125 yards and a 69-yard score in the lone first quarter, to lead a ground attack that amassed 426 yards on the day. Calgary (10-1) will be looking for a first national title since 1995 on Saturday when they face No. 4 Queen’s (10-1) in the Desjardins Vanier Cup in Quebec City (12 p.m. TSN & Radio-Canada).
Queen’s quarterback Danny Brannagan was also up for the award on offence.
Williams, a fourth-year concurrent education student from Brampton, Ont., took home the honour on defence for the second straight week after he recorded 3.5 sacks and seven tackles in the Gaels’ 33-30 Mitchell Bowl upset of top-ranked and defending Vanier Cup champion Laval in Kingston. The 6-foot-2, 236-pound senior, who received player-of-the-game honours, led a dominant defensive unit that sacked Hec Crighton-winning quarterback Benoit Groulx eight times and held all-star running back Sébastien Lévesque to 48 yards on 12 carries. Queen’s is eying a first national championship since 1992.
Calgary safety Wyatt Getty was also nominated.
Allin, a fourth-year life sciences student from Belleville, Ont., was the choice on special teams after he stunned the heavily-favoured Rouge et Or with a 120-yard touchdown on the second longest missed field goal return in CIS playoff history. With the Gaels holding on to a six-point lead late in the third-quarter, the 5-foot-11, 175-pound speedster received the ball in his own end zone after Laval kicker Christopher Milo missed wide left from 44 yards out and ran it all the way back along the right sideline to send the OUA champions ahead 26-13.
Calgary defensive back Tye Noble was also up for the distinction.
