York's Jahmari Bennett honoured as FRC-CIS football special teams player of the week

OTTAWA (CIS) – Calgary running back Mercer Timmis, Concordia defensive back Mikaël Charland and York kick returner Jahmari Bennett are the CIS football players of the week for the period ending Sept. 12, 2015.

Timmis, a fourth-year business student from Burlington, Ont., was honoured on offence thanks to his 276 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a 46-38 come-from-behind win over reigning Canada West champion Manitoba, last Friday in Winnipeg. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound senior averaged over 10 yards on 27 carries on the night, including a three-yard TD run in the second quarter, a spectacular 79-yard score in the third frame and a 17-yard major with 1:22 left in regulation. Timmis, who was ranked fifth on the CFL Scouting Bureau list released earlier this month, has a CIS-leading 426 yards on the ground after two contests for the Dinos (2-0), who moved up to No. 1 in the national rankings this week.

Acadia receiver Sabastian Robinson, Montreal receiver Régis Cibasu and McMaster quarterback Asher Hastings were also up for the award.

Charland, a fourth-year human environment student from Gatineau, Que., took home the award on defence following a record performance in a 38-18 road victory against Bishop's, on Saturday. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound veteran recorded three interceptions off of a pair of Gaiter quarterbacks to tie the single-game school standard, a feat which was last accomplished back in 1998. Charland, who returned the three picks for a total of 57 yards, also recovered a fumble and added two tackles in the Stingers' first win of the young season.

Mount Allison lineman Christian Plante, Guelph linebacker Curtis Newton and UBC safety Taylor Loffler were also nominated.

Bennett, a fourth-year religious studies student from Mississauga, Ont., was the choice on special teams thanks to a remarkable effort against nationally fifth-ranked Guelph, on Saturday. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound speedster was one of the few bright spots for the Lions in a 49-22 loss as he racked up no less than 291 yards on nine returns, good for a 32.3-yard average. Bennett, a versatile player who has seen time at quarterback, running back and receiver in York's first three games of the campaign, gave the home crowd something to cheer about 23 seconds into the fourth quarter when he returned a missed field goal attempt on 115 yards for a touchdown, giving him the longest play in CIS so far this season.

Mount Allison kicker Ryan Lambert, Bishop's returner Jamall Hyman-Hamilton and Manitoba returner Jamel Lyles were the other nominees.

Offensive nominees:
AUS: Sabastian Robinson, receiver, Acadia
RSEQ: Régis Cibasu, receiver, Montreal
OUA: Asher Hastings, quarterback, McMaster
CWUAA: Mercer Timmis, running back, Calgary (recipient)

Defensive nominees:
AUS: Christian Plante, defensive lineman, Mount Allison
RSEQ: Mikaël Charland, defensive back, Concordia (recipient)
OUA: Curtis Newton, linebacker, Guelph
CWUAA: Taylor Loffler, safety, UBC

Special team nominees:
AUS: Ryan Lambert, kicker, Mount Allison
RSEQ: Jamall Hyman-Hamilton, returner, Bishop's
OUA: Jahmari Bennett, returner, York (recipient)
CWUAA: Jamel Lyles, returner, Manitoba

WEEK 4 SCHEDULE (all times local)

September 17
19:00 Alberta (2-0) at No. 1 Calgary (2-0) (Shaw TV, Access & CanadaWest.TV)

September 18
19:00 Regina (0-2) at Saskatchewan (0-2) (Shaw TV, Access & CanadaWest.TV)

September 19
13:00 Windsor (0-3) at Ottawa (1-1) (OUA.TV)
13:00 York (0-3) at Waterloo (0-3) (OUA.TV)
13:00 Queen's (2-1) at No. 3 Western (3-0) (Rogers TV Cable 13, Rogers Sports Plus & OUA.TV)
13:00 No. 6 McMaster (2-0) at No. 5 Guelph (3-0) (Rogers TV Cable 20 & OUA.TV)
13:00 Toronto (1-1) at Carleton (2-1) (OUA.TV)
13:00 No. 2 Laval (2-0) at Bishop's (0-2) (Gaiters TV)
14:00 Acadia (1-0) at No. 8 Mount Allison (1-0) (Bell Aliant FibreOP TV1 & AUStv.ca)
14:00 Saint Mary's (0-1) at StFX (0-1) (Bell Aliant FibreOP TV1 & AUStv.ca)
14:00 No. 9 Sherbrooke (1-1) at No. 4 Montreal (1-1) (TVA Sports)
14:00 McGill (1-1) at Concordia (1-1) (StretchTV)
18:00 No. 10 UBC (1-1) at No. 7 Manitoba (1-1) (CanadaWest.TV)

About Football Reporters of Canada

Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) represents journalists and broadcasters in every region of the country covering CIS Football. Since 1958, Football Reporters of Canada has been an organization of media members who have covered the Canadian Football League, serving to select the league's outstanding players, coach-of-the-year and all-star teams through voting conducted by its members. In 2009, the FRC amalgamated with the University Football Reporters of Canada (UFRC) to give the organization greater scope in its affiliation with amateur and college football. FRC also works with the CFL and CIS to establish guidelines and working conditions for the men and women who report on the game. Selected members of FRC also help to choose builders, players and media members for induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

Source: CIS