UFRC - CIS football players of the week: QUFL stars sweep weekly honours

OTTAWA (CIS) – Montreal running back Rotrand Sené, Bishop’s linebacker Justin Conn and kick returner Frank Bruno, also of Montreal are the Canadian Interuniversity Sport football players of the week for the period ending Oct. 31, 2009.

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

Sené, a fisrt-year business student from Montreal, received the nod on offence after he rushed for a personal-best 228 yards to help the No. 8-ranked Carabins (5-3) secure second place in the QUFL and home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs with a hard-fought 14-9 win over Sherbrooke. The 5-foot-9, 200-pound freshman, whose 33 carries on the day were also a career-high, added 40 yards on two receptions against the Vert & Or to finish with 268 all-purpose yards, more than two thirds of his team’s total tally. Sené was second in Quebec and third in the nation in his university debut this fall with 981 rushing yards.

Running back Craig Leger of Saint Mary’s, Nathan Riva of Western Ontario and Jeff Hassler of Saskatchewan were also up for the award on offence.

Conn, a fourth-year business student from New Maryland, N.B., took home the weekly honour on defence after he recorded a game-high 10 solo tackles, including a pair for losses, as the Gaiters (4-4) clinched a playoff spot with their third straight victory, a thrilling 40-38 win over Concordia. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound senior and his Bishop’s teammates return to the post-season for the first time since 2007 and visit No. 8-Montreal in Saturday’s QUFL semi-final round.

St. Francis Xavier lineman Tom Narbaitz, Western linebacker Conor Elliott and Manitoba linebacker Thomas Hall were also nominated.

Bruno, a third-year arts and sciences student from Montreal, was the choice on special teams after he scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown on a 48-yard punt return in the Carabins’ victory over Sherbrooke. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound senior, who finished second in the nation and set a QUFL record this season with 728 punt-return yards, broke four tackles to reach the end zone and give Montreal a 10-0 lead in the second quarter, part of his 157-yard tally on seven returns.

Kickers Justin Palardy of Saint Mary’s, Darryl Wheeler of Western and Aaron Ifield of Calgary were also up for the distinction.

Offensive nominees:
AUFC: Craig Leger, running back, Saint Mary’s
QUFL: Rotrand Sené, running back, Montreal (recipient)
OUA: Nathan Riva, running back, Western Ontario
Canada West: Jeff Hassler, running back, Saskatchewan

Defensive nominees:
AUFC: Tom Narbaitz, defensive lineman, St. Francis Xavier
QUFL: Justin Conn, linebacker, Bishop’s (recipient)
OUA: Conor Elliott, linebacker, Western Ontario
Canada West: Thomas Hall, linebacker, Manitoba

Special team nominees:
AUFC: Justin Palardy, kicker, Saint Mary’s
QUFL: Frank Bruno, kick returner, Montreal (recipient)
OUA: Darryl Wheeler, kicker, Western Ontario
Canada West: Aaron Ifield, kicker, Calgary

CIS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE (all times LOCAL)

Saturday, Nov. 7 (conference semi-finals)
12:30 QUFL: Concordia (3-5) at No. 1-Laval (7-1), Radio-Canada (TV & webcast)
12:30 QUFL: Bishop’s (4-4) at No. 8-Montreal (5-3)
13:00 AUS: Acadia (2-6) at No. 10-StFX (6-2), EastLink (TV & webcast) / SSN Canada (webcast)
13:00 OUA: No. 5-Western (7-2) at No. 7-Laurier (6-2), The Score
13:00 CWUAA: Regina (3-5) at No. 3-Saskatchewan (7-1)
13:00 CWUAA: Alberta (4-4) at No. 2-Calgary (7-1), Shaw TV
16:30 OUA: No. 9-McMaster (7-2) at No. 4-Queen’s (7-1), The Score

Saturday, Nov. 14 (conference finals)
12:30 QUFL Dunsmore Cup, Radio-Canada (TV & webcast)
13:00 AUS Loney Bowl, EastLink (TV & webcast)
13:00 OUA Yates Cup, The Score
TBA CWUAA Hardy Cup, Shaw TV

Saturday, Nov. 21 (CIS national semi-finals)
TBA Uteck Bowl: CWUAA at AUS, TSN & Radio-Canada
TBA Mitchell Bowl: QUFL at OUA, TSN & Radio-Canada

Saturday, Nov. 28 (CIS final)
12:00 Vanier Cup, PEPS Stadium, Université Laval, Quebec City, TSN & Radio-Canada

About University Football Reporters of Canada

The University Football Reporters of Canada represents journalists and broadcasters in every region of the country covering CIS Football. The UFRC’s primary objective is to work with CIS, its institutions and football programs to build resources and exposure for Canadian University Football from coast to coast through the contribution of the media.


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