B. Hunchak, Donald and Naylor 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 September 12, 2016.
HAMILTON, Ont. - The following athletes have been named Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Football Players of the Week for the period ending September 12, 2016.
OFFENCE: Brett Hunchak (Calgary, Alta.) – 2nd yr. – York
For the second time in three weeks, York Lions quarterback Brett Hunchak (Calgary, Alta.) is the OUA Offensive Player of the Week after he led the Lions to a 56-32 win over Windsor.
The second-year psychology student-athlete completed 33 of 42 passes for 540 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Early in the 2016 season, Hunchak is the only quarterback in the country to throw for more than 500 yards in a single game, and his 78.6 completion percentage is the third best single-game mark in the CIS this year.
After three weeks, the 6’3”, 188 lbs quarterback currently sits third in OUA averaging 326.7 yards passing per game, while his eight touchdowns have him tied for the league lead with Ottawa’s Derek Wendel.
Hunchak and the Lions are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Varsity Stadium to take on the rival University of Toronto Varsity Blues with the Argo Cup up for grabs.
DEFENCE: James Donald (Montreal, Que.) – 3rd yr. – Queen's
Queen’s Gaels linebacker James Donald (Montreal, Que.) had a career day on Saturday in Guelph, Ont. against the Gryphons and has been selected as the OUA Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts.
Donald, a third-year economics student-athlete, tied a career-high with 7.5 total tackles, including six solo tackles and three assisted tackles, in the Gaels 38-29 loss to Guelph.
It seemed that the 5’11”, 202 lbs linebacker was in the Gryphons backfield as much as Gryphons quarterback James Roberts as Donald took the pivot to the turf three times for a loss of 23 yards. In addition, the Montreal Que. native also recorded 3.5 tackles for a loss of 24 yards. Donald couldn’t have picked a more opportune times for the sacks as all three came on second down, forcing the Gryphons to give the ball back to the Gaels.
After two games on the road to open the 2016 season, Donald and the Gaels return home on Saturday to open the revitalized Richardson Stadium against the rival Western Mustangs. Kickoff is schedule for 1:00 p.m. and can be seen coast-to-coast on City.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Nick Naylor (Abbotsford, B.C.) – 5th yr. – York
The York Lions picked up their second win of the 2016 season on Saturday thanks in part to a strong performance from OUA Special Teams Player of the Week, Nick Naylor (Abbotsford, B.C.).
Naylor, a fifth-year environmental studies student-athlete, recorded 18 points and combined for 525 yards on kick-offs and punts in York’s 56-32 victory versus the visiting Windsor Lancers.
The Abbotsford, B.C., native was 3-3 on field goals, connecting from 12, 16 and 25 yards, 6-6 on extra points and added three additional single points on touchbacks.
The 5’11”, 180 lbs kicker also averaged 58.7 yards on six kick-offs in the game (352 total yards), while his four punts went 173 total yards with a long of 77 yards.
Heading into Week 4, Naylor is tied for fourth in the conference with 30 points and ranks second in both punting average (40.3) and kick-off average (62.9).
Naylor will look to keep up the strong play Saturday when the Lions head across town to the campus of the University of Toronto to take on the rival Varsity Blues.