Fraser, Rush and Nieuwesteeg named OUA Football Players of the Week
HAMILTON, Ont. - The following athletes have been named Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Football Players of the Week for the period ending November 23th, 2015.
BURLINGTON, Ont. - The following athletes have been named Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Football Players of the Week for the period ending November 24th, 2015.
OFFENCE: A'Dre Fraser (Halifax, N.S.) – 4th yr. – Guelph
CFL scouts were keeping a close eye on Gryphons fourth year receiver A'dre Fraser on Saturday in the Mitchell Bowl.
But it sure would be nice for Gryphon fans if #1 returned for a fifth and final season in 2016. In his final game of 2015, the fourth year wide out from Halifax showcased the type of skills that make him one of the top play-makers in the CIS when healthy.
Fraser sparked the Gryphon offence on several occassions with 8 catches for 90 yards. Fraser possesses game-breaking speed, impressive hands and the ability to make defenders miss. All were on display at some point in an overall solid performance from the Gryphons fourth year standout.
DEFENCE: John Rush (Niagara Falls, Ont.) –5th yr. – Guelph
John Rush ended his incredible Gryphon career with yet another outstanding individual performance in Saturday's Mitchell Bowl.
The fifth-year linebacker, who later this week will hope to take home the CIS Presidents' Trophy as the country's top stand-up defensive player, racked up a game-high 10 tackles against the Carabins.
As he has done all season, Rush was a force both against the run and the pass. The fifth year linebacker will be sorely missed by Gryphon fans next season, but his contributions to this program and this season in particular will not soon be forgotten.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Ryan Nieuwesteeg (Niagara Falls, Ont.) – 4th yr. – Guelph
Fourth year return specialist Ryan Nieuwesteeg put together arguably the greatest single-season in school history as far as returners are concerned.
After setting a school record for punt return yards during the regular season with 846, the Niagara Falls native carried that play into the playoffs where he produced three more impressive performances.
The latest of these came against the Carabins in which Nieuwesteeg tallied 78 punt return yards on 4 punt returns, highlighted by a beautiful 49-yard return to spark the soldout home crowd at Alumni Stadium.