November 12, 2012

Cornish headlines Players of the Week

CFL.ca Staff

TORONTO — Drew Tate, Keon Raymond, Chad Owens and Jon Cornish were named the Gibson’s Finest CFL Players of the Week for Week 20, the Canadian Football League announced today.

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.

Gibson’s Finest CFL Offensive Player of the Week

Drew Tate
QB – Calgary Stampeders

Calgary Stampeders quarterback Drew Tate was named the Offensive Player of the Division Semi-Finals. Tate completed 22 of 36 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns; he also added eight yards on two carries in the Stampeders’ 36-30 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Tate manufactured the winning drive with less than one minute remaining in the game and threw a 68-yard touchdown pass to Romby Bryant that sealed the victory the Stampeders. For his play at a chilly McMahon Stadium, Tate earned his first 2012 Player of the Week award.

Gibson’s Finest CFL Defensive Player of the Week

Keon Raymond
DB – Calgary Stampeders

Calgary Stampeders defensive back Keon Raymond was named the Defensive Player of the Week. Raymond compiled four tackles, one sack and one interception in the Stampeders’ 36-30 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

In a performance that earned him his second 2012 Player of the Week award, Raymond intercepted Darian Durant’s last second hail mary throw to ensure the win for the Stamps and shut down a potential comeback by the Roughriders in the back and forth Western Semi-Final matchup.
Gibson’s Finest CFL Special Teams Player of the Week

Chad Owens
KR – Toronto Argonauts

Toronto Argonauts kick returner Chad Owens was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. Owens compiled 96 yards and a touchdown on seven punt returns and added another 61 yards on three kick returns in the Argos’ 42-26 win over the Edmonton Eskimos.

Owens’ 59-yard punt return touchdown helped the Argos set a new CFL playoff record for most points scored in a quarter with 31. Owens’ contributions earned him his second 2012 Player of the Week award and helped the Argos secure a spot in the Eastern Final.

Gibson’s Finest CFL Canadian Player of the Week

Jon Cornish
RB – Calgary Stampeders

Calgary Stampeders running back Jon Cornish was named the Canadian Player of the Week. The New Westminster, BC native ran for a game high 109 yards on 18 carries in the Stampeders’ 36-30 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Cornish’s 29-yard run in the dying seconds of the first half stopped the Riders’ growing momentum and allowed Rene Paredes to kick a field goal which gave the Stamps an important first half lead in a game where every point was crucial.