July 29, 2014

A pair of Riders headline Players of the Week

CFL.ca Staff

TORONTO — Dan LeFevour, John Chick, Lirim Hajrullahu and Samuel Hurl were named the Canadian Football League Players of the Week for Week 5 of the 2014 Canadian Football League season.

The four players were chosen by a panel of judges including: former Canadian Football League players Matt Dunigan and Duane Forde of TSN, and Pierre Vercheval of RDS.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Dan LeFevour was named the Offensive Player of the Week for Week 5. In LeFevour’s first career start, he accumulated 470 total yards to help Hamilton secure its first win of the season – a 33-23 victory over the Ottawa REDBLACKS.

LeFevour completed 21-of-30 passes for 361 yards including a 53-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Banks on Hamilton’s first possession of the game.

LeFevour showcased his dual threat capabilities by also rushing for 109 yards on 13 carries and scoring a touchdown against the REDBLACKS.

The Downers Grove, Illinois native, who is the all-time passing yards, touchdown passes and rushing touchdowns leader at Central Michigan, has three touchdowns this season to increase his career total to 12.

This is the first Player of the Week award of LeFevour’s career.

Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive end John Chick was named the Defensive Player of the Week for Week 5. Chick sacked Argonauts quarterback Ricky Ray twice, forced a fumble and added a tackle in the Roughriders’ 37-9 win at Mosaic Stadium.

The native of Gillette, Wyoming and product of Utah State is currently first in the league in sacks with six and has 11 tackles in four games this season.

The 6’4” 250 pound defensive end has recorded at least one sack in each of Saskatchewan’s four games this season; he is on pace to eclipse his career-high of 11 sacks, recorded during the 2009 season.

This is Chick’s first Player of the Week award since Week 19 in the 2009 season. 

Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker and punter Lirim Hajrullahu was named the Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 5. Hajrullahu went a perfect 5-for-5 on field goals and scored 17 points in the Blue Bombers’ 23-6 road win over the BC Lions.

Hajrullahu also took part in punting duties, kicking five punts averaging 43 yards with his longest going 50 yards. He also added a single in the third quarter.

The 5’11” St. Catharines, Ontario native and a former standout at Western University made successful field goals from 51, 49, 33, 27 and 19 yards away to improve his rate to 13-for-14 (92.9%) on the season.

Hajrullahu ranks second in the league in kicking points with 51.

This is Hajrullahu’s first season in the CFL and his first Player of the Week award. 

Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Samuel Hurl was named the Canadian Player of the Week for Week 5. Hurl was a key contributor on the Roughriders defence, accumulating seven tackles and recovering a fumble in the Roughriders’ 37-9 win over the visiting Argonauts.

Hurl – a native of Calgary, Alberta and a product of the University of Calgary – is tied for fourth in the league in tackles with 21. He has recorded a sack, a special teams tackle and a fumble recovery this season.

The 6’1” 225 pound linebacker was drafted in the second round, 12th overall in the 2012 CFL Draft.

This is Hurl’s first Player of the Week award in his career.