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October 26, 2012

Cornish runs his way into Canadian history

CFL.ca Staff

CALGARY — Jon Cornish has made Canadian Football League history – emphasis on the Canadian.

With a 22-yard carry in the third quarter of Week 19’s game at Commonwealth vs. the Edmonton Eskimos, Cornish surpassed Normie Kwong for the most rushing yards in a season by a Canadian.

Cornish entered the game needing just 50 yards to surpass Kwong’s 56-year-old mark.

“(Normie Kwong) has always been that name,” said Cornish. “He’s been the top of the top for Canadian running backs. For me to now be mentioned at the same time as him is an honour.”

Cornish leads the Canadian Football League rushing race by 214 yards as he attempts to become the first Canadian to win the rushing title since 1988.
It’s been a noteworthy season for Canadian tailbacks, as alongside Cornish, BC rusher Andrew Harris has been quietly making his mark in the backfield.

Heading into BC’s final regular season game, a Saturday night tilt with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Harris has registered 1,055 yards, the eighth highest total by a Canadian back in league history.

While recording his personal accomplishment, Harris enabled himself and Cornish to become the first Canadians in 56 years to rush for 1,000 yards in the same season.

Kwong and Gerry James were the last Canadians to accomplish the feat together back in 1956.

More to come…