Guiltinan, Hutter and Ward 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 19, 2016.

OFFENCE: Eric Guiltinan (London, Ont.) – 5^th yr. – Laurier

The Laurier Golden Hawks improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2007 thanks to huge performance from running back Eric Guiltinan (London, Ont.).

Guiltinan, a fifth-year business major had 23 carries for 200 yards as the No. 7 ranked Golden Hawks upset the No. 4 ranked Carleton Ravens 17-16.  The London, Ont. native also recorded two catches for 12 yards,

The 200 yards rushing was a career-high for rushing yards in a game, as the 5’10”, 205 lbs back became just the sixth player in Laurier history to record a 200-plus yard rushing game.  To say that Guiltinan put the team on his back would likely be an understatement as he recorded 212 of the Hawks 263 offensive yards in the game.

Guiltinan and the Golden Hawks will be looking to move to 4-0 when they host their crosstown rivals, the Waterloo Warriors, Saturday afternoon at University Stadium.

DEFENCE: Scott Hutter (London, Ont.) – 2^nd yr. – Laurier

Scott Hutter (London, Ont.) and the Laurier Golden Hawks proved once again this weekend why they are in the conversation as one of the best defensive groups in CIS football.

Hutter, a second-year environmental studies student-athlete, recorded 4.5 tackles to go along with a fumble recovery and a pass breakup. 

However, undoubtedly his biggest play of the afternoon came late in the second quarter when he picked off Carleton quarterback Jesse Mills and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown to tie the game 7-7.  The pick six was Hutter’s third career interception and his first of the 2016 season.

The London, Ont. native also pounced on a loose ball late in the fourth quarter which eventually set up the game-winning field goal.

Hutter and the Golden Hawks defence will be looking to not only extend their win streak but interception streak to four games when they take on the visiting Warriors on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Lewis Ward (Kingston, Ont.) – 4^th yr. – Ottawa

Ottawa Gee-Gees kicker Lewis Ward (Kingson, Ont.) has been named OUA Special Teams Player of the Week after he helped take down the defending Yates Cup champions on Saturday, 31-28 in double overtime.

Ward, a fourth-year social sciences student-athlete, was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, splitting the uprights from distances of 39 yards, 40 yards, and 51 yards, the longest field goal in CIS this season. 

Known for his composure in big moments, Ward didn’t shy away from the spotlight as his 51-yard field goal sent the Gee-Gees and Gryphons into overtime, while his 40-yard attempt helped uOttawa tack on three valuable points in OT.

The Kingston, Ont. native now joins former Gee-Gees kicker Matt Falvo in the uOttawa record books with the longest field goal in school history.

Ward and the Gee-Gees will look to run their unbeaten streak to four games on Saturday when they travel to Windsor, Ont. to take on the Lancers.