THE CANADIAN PRESS
From a veteran pivot going over the 60,000 passing yard mark, to a rookie throwing a touchdown on his first Canadian Football League pass attempt and a change at the position for Toronto, it was a noteworthy week for quarterbacks around the league.
1) Mike Reilly, Eskimos
Week 18 stats: 29-39, 377 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT; 9 carries, 36 yards, 1 TD
Edmonton fell behind 21-3 in Regina, but Reilly wasn’t about to let the Eskimos be upset and let Calgary control their destiny in the West. No. 13 accounted for four touchdowns while leading the green and gold to a seventh consecutive victory, that’s something Ricky Ray never accomplished as an Eskimo.
2) Kevin Glenn, Alouettes
Week 18 stats: 27-35, 294 yards, 3 TD
All game long Glenn was decisive and got the ball out of his hands quickly. He kept Toronto guessing by connecting with eight different pass catchers in the game.
3) Henry Burris, REDBLACKS
Week 18 stats: 29-43, 413 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT; 4 carries, 11 yards, 1 TD
Even a nasty shot to the left knee couldn’t stop Burris. He guided Ottawa to 10 fourth-quarter points and plunged into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown on third and goal from the one-yard line. Hank threw for 783 yards while the REDBLACKS swept the home-and-home set with Winnipeg.
4) Jonathon Jennings, Lions
Week 18 stats: 23-33, 247 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Jennings faced a highly touted defence and passed the test. Three first half touchdown strikes put B.C. ahead for good against a tough Hamilton team. The rookie has the Lions in a spot where the team controls its own destiny for a playoff spot.
5) Matt Nichols, Bombers
Week 18 stats: 17-26, 282 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Despite throwing two first half interceptions, Nichols had Winnipeg in a position to win with a lead going into the final quarter. However, he could not get the offence to produce a single point in what was likely the most important 15 minutes of the Bombers season.
6) Brett Smith, Riders
Week 18 stats: 11-15, 191 yards, 1 TD; 5 carries, 39 yards
When Smith was in the game he looked more accurate throwing the football, but he needs to develop more comfort in the pocket. Too often the rookie pivot bails on solid protection and that kills the timing in the passing game. More reps should help Smith stick in there longer when possible.
7) Jeff Mathews, Ticats
Week 18 stats: 22-32, 270 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
On the second offensive snap of the game Mathews hit Luke Tasker for a 64-yard touchdown and it seemed like the Ticats were going to roll up 40 points on the Left coast. Instead, Hamilton’s offence managed just one more touchdown in the final 58 minutes and 46 seconds.
8) Keith Price, Riders
Week 18 stats: 7-9, 84 yards, 1 TD
Price started his CFL career with a bang by hitting Naaman Roosevelt for a 29-yard touchdown on his first CFL throw. He played well enough for interim head coach Bob Dyce to say he’ll start a game or two to finish the Riders’ season.
9) Ricky Ray, Argos
Week 18 stats: 12-15, 107 yards
Yes, Ray did enter the game with the outcome pretty much decided, but he looked smooth and in control of the offence. That has to be a major reason why Scott Milanovich has named Ray the starter against B.C.
10) Trevor Harris, Argos
Week 18 stats: 11-14, 102 yards, 1 INT
Harris couldn’t play his way out of a little funk he’s been in lately and then he was told to hit the bench. No matter what happens with Toronto’s quarterback situation to end 2015, Harris has a bright future in the league.
CFL Starters
Justin Dunk is picking his best lineup based on Week 18’s results. With the game on the line, who’s making his starting depth chart this week?
Offence:
QB – Mike Reilly
RB – William Powell, Andrew Harris
WR – Adarius Bowman, Brad Sinopoli, Naaman Roosevelt, Chris Williams
OL – Ottawa REDBLACKS
Defence:
DL – Montreal Alouettes
LB – J.C. Sherritt, Adam Bighill, Winston Venable
DB – John Ojo, Jovon Johnson
HB – Brandyn Thompson, Ryan Phillips
S – Lin-J Shell
