FB: Philpot's big opening day earns weekly award
Manitoba's Gowanlock and Saskatchewan's Solie also honoured
VANCOUVER - Calgary receiver Jalen Philpot got off to a monster start in Week 1, while Manitoba's Brock Gowanlock's fumble return and the steady leg of Saskatchewan punter David Solie earned the trio Canada West Player of the Week honours.
Philpot was back to giving defences fits as the Canada West Offensive Player of the Week racked up 246 receiving yards on 13 catches in the reigning Vanier Cup champion's 34-20 win over Saskatchewan. Philpot's 246 receiving yards were the ninth most all-time in a Canada West game.
The Delta, B.C. product found the end zone twice in Week 1 with catches of 13 and 24 yards, respectively. Philpot's second score came just before halftime, sending the Dinos to the locker room with a 14-10 lead.
In a defensive battle in Winnipeg, Manitoba's Brock Gowanlock earned Defensive Player of the Week honours. The Duncan, B.C. native picked up a Regina Rams fumble and took it back 31 yards for what would hold up as the game-winning major.
The Bisons defence held the Rams scoreless in the second half of Saturday's 21-17 victory led by the fifth-year defensive lineman's seven total tackles.
Rounding out the Week 1 winners is Saskatchewan's David Solie, the Special Teams Player of the Week.
The fourth-year kicker/punter made it difficult on the Dinos offence, pinning them inside their own 20-yard line on four occasions. Five of Solie's punts netted over 50 yards on Saturday, including a 77-yard rouge. The Saskatoon, Sask. product also converted on his only field goal try of the day.
Week 2 of the season kicks off Friday night with a pair of games, as the Alberta Golden Bears welcome in the Manitoba Bisons (7 p.m. MDT) and the UBC Thunderbirds host Saskatchewan (7 p.m. PDT). The UBC-Saskatchewan game can be seen on SaskTel and TELUS. Both games are also available on Canada West TV Presented by Co-op.
The Canada West Football Showcase heads to Regina on Saturday where the Rams and Dinos will kick off at 2 p.m. CST. The game is available on SaskTel, TELUS and Canada West TV Presented by Co-op.
OFFENCE: REC - Jalen Philpot
- Calgary Dinos
- 3rd-year
- Delta, B.C.
- Arts
- STATS: 13 receptions / 246 receiving yards / 2 touchdowns
DEFENCE: DL - Brock Gowanlock
- Manitoba Bisons
- 5th-year
- Duncan, B.C.
- Arts
- STATS: 7 tackles / 1.5 tackles for loss / fumble recovery / touchdown
SPECIAL TEAMS: P/K - David Solie
- Saskatchewan Huskies
- 4th-year
- Saskatoon, Sask.
- Arts & Science
- STATS: 49.4 yard punt avg. / 4 punts inside 20 / 5 punts 50+ yds / 77-yd punt single / 1-for 1 on field goals