FRC - CIS football players of the week (#5): Buckley, Backman, Van Gylswyk honoured

Photo credit Bob Frid, UBC

OTTAWA (CIS) – Calgary quarterback Andrew Buckley, Acadia defensive back Brett Backman and UBC kicker Quinn Van Gylswyk are the CIS football players of the week for the period ending Sept. 22, 2013.

Buckley, a third-year kinesiology student from Calgary, was honoured on offence following a remarkable performance in a 48-24 home win over nationally-ranked Manitoba (2-2), last Friday. The 6-foot, 193-pound pivot completed 24 of 36 passes for 512 yards and three touchdowns to help the No. 5 Dinos (4-0) remain the only undefeated team in Canada West at the midway mark of the regular schedule. In only the third start of his CIS career, Buckley, who finished with the ninth-best tally in conference history, had already passed for 501 yards after three quarters before the Dinos relied on their ground game to hold on to their commanding lead in the fourth.

Acadia receiver Sabastian Robinson, Bishop’s quarterback Jordan Heather and Wilfrid Laurier running back Dillon Campbell were also up for the award.

Backman, a fourth-year business administration student from Tantallon, N.S., took home the weekly honour on defence thanks his three interceptions – including one he returned on 64 yards for a touchdown – in a 40-11 road win against previously undefeated StFX (2-1), Friday night. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound senior had his first pick of the game at the Acadia 30-yard line late in the first half, set up a touchdown with his second interception at midfield early in the third quarter, and sealed the victory with his major in the final minutes of the contest. He finished the evening with 95 yards in interception returns, three tackles and a pass breakup.

Laval lineman Edward Godin, Guelph defensive back Taylor Palmer and Saskatchewan defensive end Ben Rush were also nominated.

Van Gylswyk, a first-year arts student from Victoria, was the choice on special teams after he was perfect on five field goal attempts in a 37-27 win against Regina (1-3), last Saturday in Vancouver. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound rookie split the uprights from 41, 43, 21, 23 and 35 yards out as the Thunderbirds evened their season record to 2-2. He also averaged 42.3 yards on seven punts, pinning the Rams inside their 20 on three occasions, and 51.8 yards on four kickoffs.

Mount Allison kicker Kyle McLean, Montreal returner Antoine Pruneau and Wilfrid Laurier cover man Thomas Majka were the other nominees. 

Offensive nominees:
AUS: Sabastian Robinson, receiver, Acadia
RSEQ: Jordan Heather, quarterback, Bishop’s
OUA: Dillon Campbell, running back, Wilfrid Laurier
CWUAA: Andrew Buckley, quarterback, Calgary (recipient)

Defensive nominees:
AUS: Brett Backman, defensive back, Acadia (recipient)
RSEQ: Edward Godin, lineman, Laval
OUA: Taylor Palmer, defensive back, Guelph
CWUAA: Ben Rush, defensive end, Saskatchewan

Special team nominees:
AUS: Kyle McLean, kicker, Mount Allison
RSEQ: Antoine Pruneau, returner, Montreal
OUA: Thomas Majka, cover, Wilfrid Laurier
CWUAA: Quinn Van Gylswyk, kicker, UBC (recipient)

WEEK 6 SCHEDULE (all times local)

September 27 

19:00   StFX (2-1) at Saint Mary’s (1-2) (video webcast)

19:00   Carleton (0-4) at Toronto (1-4) (video webcast)

September 28

13:00   McGill (2-2) at Concordia (0-4) (video webcast)

13:00   No. 3 Queen’s (4-0) at No. 2 Western (5-0) (Sportsnet 360)

13:00   No. 6 Guelph (4-0) at Waterloo (1-3) (video webcast)

13:00   No. 1 Laval (4-0) at No. 8 Bishop’s (3-1) (Radio-Canada TV & video webcast)

13:00   Ottawa (2-3) at York (2-2) (video webcast)

13:00   Windsor (3-2) at Laurier (1-4) (Rogers TV Waterloo - tape delayed & video webcast)

13:00   Regina (1-3) at No. 10 Manitoba (2-2) (video webcast)

14:00   No. 7 Saskatchewan (3-1) at UBC (2-2) (SHAW TV & video webcast)

17:00   No. 5 Calgary (4-0) at Alberta (0-4) (video webcast)

19:00   Mount Allison (1-2) at Acadia (1-2) (Eastlink TV & video webcast)

September 29

13:00   Sherbrooke (1-3) at No. 4 Montreal (3-1)

About Football Reporters of Canada

Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) represents journalists and broadcasters in every region of the country covering CIS Football. Since 1958, Football Reporters of Canada has been an organization of media members who have covered the Canadian Football League, serving to select the league’s outstanding players, coach-of-the-year and all-star teams through voting conducted by its members. In 2009, the FRC amalgamated with the University Football Reporters of Canada (UFRC) to give the organization greater scope in its affiliation with amateur and college football. FRC also works with the CFL and CIS to establish guidelines and working conditions for the men and women who report on the game. Selected members of FRC also help to choose builders, players and media members for induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

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