CFL.ca Staff

TORONTO -- Henry Burris, Stevie Baggs, Chad Owens and Andy Fantuz were named the Gibson’s Finest CFL Players of the Month for October, the Canadian Football League announced today. The final Players of the Month also includes games played in the first week of November.

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

Henry Burris provided exceptional play for the Stamps on a consistent basis in October and early November, leading his club to a 4-2 record over the final six weeks, clinching the CFL’s West Division and earning a bye into the Western Final. Burris accumulated 1,605 passing yards with a 66.9% completion rate, while adding 14 touchdowns versus just four interceptions. The Calgary quarterback also carried the ball 21 times for 169 rushing yards.

Burris started off the month of October with an outstanding performance at home against the Montreal Alouettes, tallying a season-high 412 passing yards to go along with four TD passes and a perfect quarterback efficiency rating of 158.3 in a 46-21 victory over the defending Grey Cup champions.

The ninth-year Stampeder finished the 2010 CFL season first in TD passes (38), while placing second in completion rate (66.2%) and QB rating (101.9) among the league’s regular starters.

Edmonton Eskimos rookie running back Daniel Porter was named runner-up.

Defensive player of the Month Stevie Baggs joined the Ticats in late September and flourished throughout October with his ability to make big plays. The Ticats defensive end racked up 20 tackles, four sacks, three fumble recoveries for 141 return yards and two touchdowns, two tackles-for-loss, two pass knockdowns and one interception over the final six games.

The Hamilton playmaker was named Gibson’s Finest CFL Defensive Player of the Week twice in a row for his performances in Weeks 16 and 17 against Toronto and Montreal respectively. During those games, the Ticats outscored their opponents 70-6, with an average margin of victory of 32 points in the two outings.

Bombers defensive end and CFL sack leader Phillip Hunt was named runner-up.

The month’s top special teams player, Argos return man Chad Owens, has sparked Toronto’s offence all season long and the month of October was no different. His sensational efforts on special teams earned him three Gibson’s Finest weekly honours in October alone for his standout performances in weeks 14, 17 and 18.

Over five games in October, Owens amassed 1,090 combined return yards for an average of 218.0 yards per game and one missed field goal return touchdown. The first-year Argo recorded 459 yards on kickoff returns, 434 on punts, and 197 on missed field goals during the month.

Owens finished the season as the CFL leader in combined return yards (2,701), kickoff return yards (1,216), punt return yards (1,060), as well as missed field goal return yards (425). In doing so, Owens became only the fifth player in CFL history to record 1,000 yards on kickoff returns and punt returns in the same season. He also tied for the league lead with four kick return TDs, including two punts and two missed field goals.

Sasatchewan slotback Andy Fantuz was his reliable self down the stretch for the Riders, earning his third monthly award of the season for his play in October and early November. Fantuz had 27 receptions for 436 yards and two touchdowns, recording three 100-yard games over the six-game span.

The Chatham, Ontario native not only eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in his five-year career, he also finished the season with a league best 1,380 receiving yards in 2010. He is the first Canadian to accomplish the feat since Dave Sapunjis in 1995.

Fantuz also finished the season third in receptions (87) and tied for 10th in receiving TDs (6).

Both Owens and Fantuz were unanimous selections.