Harou, Pendergast, 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 October 19, 2015.
BURLINGTON, Ont. - The following athletes have been named Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Football Players of the Week for the period ending October 19th, 2015.
OFFENCE: Yannick Harou (Gatineau, QC) – 4th yr. – Western
Western Mustang running back Yannick Harou (Gatineau, QC) had a monstrous game for the Mustangs on Saturday, as the purple and white won the battle of the horses, stampeding over the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees 63-19.
Harou carried the ball 13 times for 140 rushing yards, while collecting four touchdowns. His longest rushing touchdown of the day came on a 50-yard run in the 4th quarter.
The four touchdowns in a single game was a career high for the 5'10", 183 lbs fourth-year Kings College student-athlete.
Harou and the undefeated Mustangs will head to Hamilton, Ont. this Saturday to take on the 6-1 McMaster Marauders in a game that could potentially shake up the standings going into playoffs.
DEFENCE: Matt Pendergast (Kingston, Ont.) – 2nd yr. – Queen's
Queen's Gaels defensive back Matt Pendergast (Kingston, Ont.) came up huge against the York Lions this weekend, helping to not only secure a playoff spot but also bring home OUA Defensive Player of the Week honours in the process
The second-year commerce student-athlete collected nine total tackles, seven of which were solo efforts. The performance brings his season total up to 34.5, which ties him for fifth best on the Gaels roster.
The 5'11" 196 lbs defensive back led the way in a tight game against York, where the Gaels squeaked out a 33-32 win over Lions.
Next up for the Gaels is a visit from Laurier, in a game that the Golden Hawks need to win in to potentially claim a playoff spot.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Ryan Nieuwesteeg (Niagara Falls, Ont.) – 4th yr. – Guelph
Ryan Nieuwesteeg (Niagara Falls, Ont.) was at it again this past Saturday, as the Guelph returner electrified fans with his spectacular effort in a 41-27 Gryphons victory over the visiting Windsor Lancers.
Nieuwesteeg returned 12 punts for a stellar 242 yards, including a 63 yard touchdown. It was the second punt return touchdown this season for the fourth-year sociology student-athlete, who also added one kickoff return for 44 yards to bring his total return yards up to 286.
The 5'8" 170 lbs returner now has 721 punt return yards, the most in the CIS (250 yards more than the next closest player).
Guelph now heads to Ottawa, Ont. to take on the fourth place Carleton Ravens in a game with serious implications.