Three-Point Conversion with Marshall Ferguson: East-West Bowl Day 2
Marshall Ferguson
Marshall Ferguson is a graduate of McMaster University where he spent five years as Quarterback of the Marauders. He now hosts and produces OUA Today, a daily sports talk radio show covering all things OUA and CIS while working towards a career in broadcasting.
Follow him on Twitter @Marsh2Fergs
Live from Percival Molson Stadium throughout the week, CIS Insider Marshall Ferguson brings you his three thoughts after every practice leading up to the 13th annual CIS East-West Bowl Saturday May 9th from McGill.
1. Familiarity and Locality Breeding Contempt
One of the biggest setbacks in Canadian university football is also one of our greatest strengths. Our size.
With only 27 schools participating relative to the NCAA’s 128 FBS Division I football schools, we lose what the NCAA has in multiple marquee match-ups, but we are home to several intense rivalries between schools that know each other all too well. Those school lines in the sand are clearly on display at the CIS East-West bowl.
The most interesting example of this comes when Team East does intersquad inside run and pass skeleton. The Team East, representing RSEQ conference, is notorious for their heated battles and those same fire and brimstone moments have made their way from September to May in Montreal. The difference in intensity can clearly be seen during intense East vs. East match-ups at practice with Montreal defensive back Alexandre Doucet yelling at receivers and raising everyones energy during the quiet moments of practice.
By way of comparison the Team West intersquad segments of practice, while still being competitive, lack the level of resentment felt at the other end of the field. Its palpable and seems as though both familiarity and the new location of the East-West Bowl may have ratcheted the rivalries to a new level.
2. Their New Reality
At the CIS level the greatest skill position players are rarely called into special teams action unless they beg to be a part of the action or are deemed necessary in a must win situation. Not so at the 2015 CIS East-West Bowl.
In the CFL game the country's best skill position players often have to demonstrate the ability to contribute in the return and coverage game in order to make and stay with a team. Because the CFL scouts need to see the best in their possible professional role - as well as the limited roster seizes - the 13th annual game will feature some of the best athletes to come through the CIS in the last couple of years returning punts and kicks.
For the West Side, all 6’3, 188 of Western Mustang George Johnson will work alongside Calgary Dinos star running back Mercer Timmis, while Queens standout Doug Corby will look to torment West coverage teams. For those of you scoring at home thats a combined 29 touchdowns, 72 receptions and 2,609 yards gained from scrimmage handling the return duties Saturday. It should be fun.
3. A Case Of The Blues
University of Toronto Varsity Blues receiver Llevi Noel has turned heads through two practices. The 6’2, 200 pound receiver is as solid as they come with strong hands and deceptive elusiveness. The East offence has inserted several varieties of receiver screen and Noel has dominated the screen game thus far in practice.
In 2014 Lleyi made 49 receptions for 758 yards and four touchdowns...led the OUA and CIS with 8.2 receptions and 126.3 yards per game...had four 100+ yard games, including a career-high 200 yards vs Carleton and was named an OUA first team all-star and CIS second team all-Canadian.
Noel resembles another East-West player from the past. 2013 game alumni Devon Bailey from St. FX who went on to be drafted 6th overall in the 2014 CFL draft by the Edmonton Eskimos.
Follow Marshall on Twitter @Marsh2Fergs