3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 14

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3Down Staff
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Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

Week 14 of the CFL season is in the books, featuring two blowouts, another controversial hit on a quarterback, a revenge performance from William Stanback, a miserable first start from a second-year quarterback, and a raucous crowd at the Banjo Bowl.

Below we’ve recognized the best and worst performances of the week from across the country. These awards are selected by 3DownNation’s contributors and will be presented weekly throughout the 2024 season. Enjoy.

Offensive player of the week: REC Dominique Rhymes, Ottawa Redblacks

The six-foot-four, 215-pound veteran receiver set all-new season-highs against the Argonauts, making 10 catches for 138 yards on 14 targets to help give his team a stranglehold on second place in the East Division. The Redblacks have needed someone to step up in their receiving corps since Kalil Pimpleton, Jaelon Acklin, and Bralon Addison all hit the six-game injured list and Rhymes showed he can still get the job done at age 31.

Honourable mention: REC Dave Ungerer III, Toronto Argonauts

Defensive player of the week: DB Damon Webb, Ottawa Redblacks

The next time Chad Kelly has a nightmare, it will probably feature Damon Webb. The fourth-year CFLer out of Ohio State intercepted the league’s reigning M.O.P. twice and returned both for touchdowns, helping the Redblacks build a commanding first-half lead. Kelly finished the game with 463 yards through the air, though he needed 56 dropbacks to reach that number as the Argonauts aired it out constantly against Ottawa’s defence.

Honourable mention: DB Tyrell Ford, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Special teams player of the week: P Cody Grace, Calgary Stampeders

The Stampeders are playing terribly on offence and defence these days but their specialists are still balling out. Grace punted four times in his team’s loss to the Edmonton Elks for a net average of 42.5 yards, which is exceptional. He also didn’t register any unwanted single points, consistently helping provide his team with field position.

Honourable mention: LB Gary Johnson Jr., Ottawa Redblacks

Breakout player of the week: REC Andre Miller, Ottawa Redblacks

The University of Maine product made his first career start this past week as part of a banged-up Ottawa receiving corps and made the most of the opportunity, catching five passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. His best play came midway through the second quarter when he found a hole in coverage behind linebacker Jonathan Jones and in front of safety Royce Metchie and exploited it for a 50-yard score.

Honourable mention: RB Khalan Laborn, Ottawa Redblacks

Offensive line of the week: Ottawa Redblacks

Toronto has arguably the CFL’s best defensive line but you wouldn’t have known that from Saturday’s game as Ottawa’s unit of Dino Boyd, Drew Desjarlais, Eric Starczala, Jacob Ruby, and Zack Pelehos held the Argonauts to zero sacks. The line also provided some respectable running lanes for rookie running back Khalan Laborn, who recorded 10 carries for 47 yards and one touchdown.

Honourable mention: Saskatchewan Roughriders

Coach of the week: HC Mike O’Shea, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The native of North Bay, Ont. became Winnipeg’s all-time franchise leader in head coaching wins with 103 after his team’s victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Banjo Bowl, surpassing the legendary Bud Grant. O’Shea now sits ninth on the CFL’s all-time list and needs only six more to reach seventh as Bob O’Billovich (107) and Dave Ritchie (108) are well within striking range.

Honourable mention: DC Jason Shivers, Edmonton Elks

Best play of the week: RB William Stanback, B.C. Lions

The two-time CFL all-star made no secret of the fact that he wanted to stick it to his former team and that’s exactly what he did on this run, bouncing outside before fending off tackles from Dionté Ruffin, Titus Wall, and Marc-Antoine Dequoy to reach the end zone for a 38-yard score. Stanback finished the night with 20 carries for 128 yards and a score, helping his team end Montreal’s five-game winning streak.

Honourable mention: Montreal’s onside kick

Worst play of the week: QB Logan Bonner, Calgary Stampeders

The Utah State product made his first career start in the annual Labour Day rematch between Calgary and Edmonton and struggled mightily, throwing five interceptions. This was the worst of the bunch as Bonner felt pressure to his right and threw a lame duck pass off his back foot into the waiting arms of Loucheiz Purifoy. Even for a young quarterback, there are no excuses for throwing an interception on first down in the red zone.

Honourable mention: Larry Thompson’s cart driving

Best game of the week: Saskatchewan Roughriders at Winnipeg Blue Bombers

This rivalry always lives up to the hype and this year was no exception, even if there was a noticeable lull in the second quarter. Kian Schaffer-Baker made an incredible 81-yard catch-and-run, local legend Charles Roberts was honoured at halftime, Samuel Emilus and KeeSean Johnson scored slick touchdowns, Kenny Lawler made a catch-of-the-year candidate, the atmosphere at Princess Auto Stadium was nuts, and Tyrell Ford made two excellent interceptions. What’s not to like?

Honourable mention: B.C. Lions at Montreal Alouettes

Worst game of the week: Calgary Stampeders at Edmonton Elks

All the air got sucked out of this game as soon as it became apparent that Logan Bonner wasn’t ready to make his first career start. Edmonton led 23-6 at halftime which, for the third game of a tripleheader, made it easy to turn off. The best part of this game, however, was the crowd of 32,144 that filled the lower bowl at Commonwealth Stadium. It turns out fans will buy tickets to watch a team that doesn’t stink at home. Who knew?

Honourable mention: Toronto Argonauts at Ottawa Redblacks

3Down Staff
3Down Staff

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