FRC - CIS football players of the week (#9): Canada West stars sweep national honours

OTTAWA (CIS) – Calgary quarterback Eric Dzwilewski, Saskatchewan defensive back Mitch Friesen and Manitoba kick returner Anthony Coombs are the Canadian Interuniversity Sport football players of the week for the period ending Oct. 27, 2012.

The selection was made by a committee comprised of members of Football Reporters of Canada (FRC).

Dzwilewski, a third-year arts student from Boise, Idaho, was honoured on offence for his near-perfect performance in the third-ranked Dinos’ regular season finale, a wild 78-54 home win over Manitoba on Saturday. In only one half of action, the 6-foot, 185-pound junior completed 25 of 27 passes – including 18 straight completions to start the game – for 318 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions to help Calgary build a commanding 63-14 lead after 30 minutes, including 42 points in the second quarter alone. The former CIS rookie of the year (2010) also handed off the ball consistently to freshman running back Mercer Timmins, who had five rushing majors by the halftime break. Dzwilewski and the Dinos (7-1) host Manitoba (4-4) again in a Canada West semifinal Saturday at 5 p.m. MT (Shaw TV & CanadaWest.tv).

Acadia receiver Michael Squires, Sherbrooke quarterback Jérémi Roch and Western receiver Matt Uren were also up for the award.

Friesen, a fifth-year education student from Saskatoon, took home the weekly honour on defence thanks to a brilliant all-around effort in a 54-24 home victory over UBC, Friday night. The 5-foot-10, 190 senior had two interceptions against 2011 Hec Crighton Trophy winner Billy Greene, returning his picks on 50 and seven yards, and added two pass breakups, a fumble recovery and 5.5 tackles, including one for a loss. Friesen and the Huskies (5-3) visit No. 7 Regina (6-2) for a conference semifinal Friday at 7 p.m. CT (Shaw TV & CanadaWest.tv).

Saint Mary’s defensive back Neil King, Montreal linebacker Byron Archambault and Queen’s lineman Derek Wiggan were also nominated.

Coombs, a second-year science student from Winnipeg, was the choice on special teams thanks in large part to a spectacular 98-yard punt return touchdown in the 78-54 road loss to Calgary. The 5-foot-9 sophomore, who was an all-Canadian on special teams a year ago in his CIS debut, finished the game with 117 yards on five returns and three all-purpose majors, as he also scored on a 41-yard run and a seven-yard reception. Coombs hopes to help the Bisons upset Calgary on Saturday in their first playoff appearance since their Vanier Cup triumph in 2007.

Saint Mary’s kicker Brett Lauther, Queen’s returner Chris Patrician and Laval kicker Boris Bede were also up for the distinction.

Offensive nominees:
AUS: Michael Squires, receiver, Acadia
RSEQ: Jérémi Roch, quarterback, Sherbrooke
OUA: Matt Uren, receiver, Western
CWUAA: Eric Dzwilewski, quarterback, Calgary (recipient)

Defensive nominees:
AUS: Neil King, defensive back, Saint Mary’s
RSEQ: Byron Archambault, linebacker, Montreal
OUA: Derek Wiggan, lineman, Queen’s
CWUAA: Mitch Friesen, defensive back, Saskatchewan (recipient)

Special team nominees:
AUS: Brett Lauther, kicker, Saint Mary’s
RSEQ: Boris Bede, kicker, Laval
OUA: Chris Patrician, returner, Queen’s
CWUAA: Anthony Coombs, returner, Manitoba (recipient)

WEEK 10 SCHEDULE: CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS (all times local)

November 2
19:00 CW: Saskatchewan (5-3) at No. 7 Regina (6-2), Shaw (TV) & CanadaWest.tv (web)

November 3
13:00 AUS: Mount Allison (3-5) at Saint Mary’s (3-5), Eastlink (TV & web) & AUStv.ca (web)
13:00 RSEQ: McGill (2-7) at No. 2 Laval (8-1), Radio-Canada (web)
13:00 RSEQ: No. 10 Sherbrooke (6-3) at No. 4 Montreal (8-1), Radio-Canada (TV & web)
13:00 OUA: No. 6 Queen’s (6-2 / 1-0) at No. 5 Guelph (7-1), theScore (TV & web)
16:30 OUA: No. 8 Western (5-3 / 1-0) at No. 1 McMaster (8-0), theScore (TV & web)
17:00 CW: Manitoba (4-4) at No. 3 Calgary (7-1), Shaw (TV) & CanadaWest.tv (web)

SCHEDULE WEEKS 11-13 (all times local)

November 10
13:00 AUS final (Loney Bowl): TBD at Acadia, Eastlink (TV & web) & AUStv.ca (web)
13:00 OUA final (Yates Cup): theScore (TV & web)
13:00 CW final (Hardy Cup): TSN (TV)
13:15 RSEQ final (Dunsmore Cup): Radio-Canada (TV & web)

November 17
13:00 Uteck Bowl: AUS at RSEQ, TSN & RDS
16:00 Mitchell Bowl: CW at OUA, TSN & RDS

November 23
19:30 48th Vanier Cup: Rogers Centre, Toronto, TSN & RDS

-CIS-