FB: Sinagra, Benkic, Arthur earn Week 5 player of the week honours

EDMONTON – Adam Sinagra and the Calgary Dinos showed no signs of slowing down, while Cole Benkic sealed the Regina Rams win over Manitoba, and Brent Arthur booted the Bears into the win column. Thanks to their efforts, the trio are the Week 5 Canada West football players of the week.

Sinagra is the Canada West offensive player of the week thanks to another 400-plus passing performance, as the Dinos improved their record to 5-0 on the season with a 33-13 win over Saskatchewan. 

Earning defensive honours is Cole Benkic, who batted down Manitoba’s attempted two-point convert in overtime, while Arthur accounted for 14 points in Alberta’s first win of the season to claim the special teams honour. 

CW OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: QB – Adam Sinagra

Calgary Dinos

4th-year

Pointe Claire, Que.

Arts

STATS: 21-of-36 for 432 yards / 4 touchdowns

Calgary Dinos quarterback Adam Sinagra’s remarkable season continued Saturday, as the Pointe Claire, Que. native posted his third 400-yard passing game of the season in Calgary’s 33-13 win over Saskatchewan.

Sinagra was on point again Week 5, as Calgary ran their record to a perfect 5-0, clinching a CW playoff spot in the process. The fourth-year pivot tossed 432 yards, and four touchdowns. The four majors accounted for 154 yards alone, as Sinagra threw TD passes of 40, 35, 26, and 53 yards. 

With three weeks to play in the regular season, Sinagra needs 1,042 yards to break Noah Picton’s single-season Canada West and U SPORTS record of 3,186 yards. He is also chasing the Calgary school record of 3,162 set by Andrew Buckley in 2015.

The Dinos will enjoy the conference wide bye this week, before returning to action October 12 at home against Manitoba.

Regina Rams

5th-year

Saskatoon, Sask.

Science 

STATS: 6 tackles including a tackle for loss / 2 forced fumbles / 1 pass breakup 

Cole Benkic had a big day for the Regina Rams Saturday, as the fifth-year veteran recorded six tackles, and two forced fumbles in Regina’s 32-31 overtime win over the Manitoba Bisons. 

The Regina linebacker is the defensive player of the week after a clutch play with the game on the line in overtime. 

After Regina opened the OT frame with a touchdown and single-point, the Bisons found the end zone on their possession, opting to go for the win with a two-point try. Benkic sniffed out the play, knocking down Manitoba quarterback Des Catellier’s attempted slant to Trysten Dyce, as the Rams eked out a pivotal win. 

With the victory, Regina improved to 3-2 and sits third in the conference standings.

Alberta Golden Bears

4th-year

Sarnia, Ont.

Education 

STATS: 4-of-5 on field goals, 2-for-2 on extra points for 14 total points

The Alberta Golden Bears found the win column Friday against the UBC Thunderbirds, with kicker Brent Arthur playing a key role. 

The fourth-year Education student booted four field goals, and two extra points, accounting for 14 of Alberta’s 26 points in their 26-21 win over the Thunderbirds in Edmonton. 

Arthur made good on field goals from 36, 30, 22, and 16 yards, as the Bears improved their record to 1-4 on the season, jumping past UBC in the standings in the process. 

The Bears are back in action Oct. 12 when they travel to Regina for a meeting with the Rams.