Golden Hawks' Knevel and Mesher named FRC-U Sports Football Players of the Week

TORONTO (U Sports) – Wilfrid Laurier quarterback Michael Knevel, Calgary linebacker Jakub Jakoubek, and Wilfrid Laurier kicker Nathan Mesher are the U Sports football players of the week for the period ending Nov. 13, 2016. 

Knevel, a fourth-year geography student from Brantford, Ont., went 22 for 36 for a total of 309 yards and three touchdowns as the Golden Hawks defeated the Western Mustangs 43-40 in dramatic fashion. Trailing 40-19 in the fourth quarter, Knevel led the Golden Hawks to score 24 straight points en route to hoisting the Yates Cup for the first time since 2005. 

Calgary quarterback Adam Sinagra, StFX receiver Christian Ridley, and Laval receiver Jonathan Breton-Robert were the others nominated for the award. 

Jakoubek, a second-year arts student from Calgary, Alta., had a solid performance Saturday for the Dinos. With five-tackles, a fumble recovery for a touchdown, interception, and a breakup, Jakoubek captured Hardy Cup MVP honours as the Dinos edged out the 46-43 win over the reigning Vanier Cup champion UBC Thunderbirds. 

Linebacker Nakas Onyeka from Laurier, defensive backs Dylan Bell of St.FX, and Laval's Gabriel Ouellet were also nominated.

Mesher, a third-year business major from Waterloo, Ont., went a perfect 5-for-5 on field goals, converting kicks from 22, 37, 18, 27, and 26 yards, with the final conversion being the Yates Cup-winning play for the Golden Hawks with no time left on the clock. 

Kickers Félix Ménard-Brière from Montreal, Jonathan Heidebrecht from StFX, and UBC's Trivel Pinto were also nominated for the award.

Offensive nominees:

AUS: Christian Ridley, receiver, StFX

RSEQ: Jonathan Breton-Robert, receiver, Laval

OUA: Michael Knevel, quarterback, Laurier (recipient)

CWUAA: Adam Sinagra, quarterback, Calgary

Defensive nominees:

AUS: Dylan Bell, defensive back, StFX

RSEQ: Gabriel Ouellet, defensive back, Laval

OUA: Nakas Onyeka, linebacker, Laurier  

CWUAA: Jakub Jakoubek, linebacker, Calgary (recipient)

Special teams nominees:

AUS: Jonathan Heidebrecht, kicker, StFX

RSEQ: Félix Ménard-Brière, kicker, Montreal

OUA: Nathan Mesher, kicker, Laurier (recipient)

CWUAA: Trivel Pinto, kicker, UBC

WEEK 13 SCHEDULE (all times local) 

NOTE 1: Click HERE for the complete 2016 regular season schedule & results

NOTE 2: Click HERE for the complete 2016 playoff schedule & results

November 19 (Bowl Games)

12:30   Uteck Bowl: No. 5 Laurier (9-1) at No. 1 Laval (9-1) (Sportsnet 360, TVA Sports, SN Now, TVAsports.ca) 

14:00  ArcelorMittal Dofasco Mitchell Bowl:  No. 10 StFX (8-1) at No. 6 Calgary (8-2) (Sportsnet 360, TVA Sports, SN Now, TVAsports.ca)