(MONTREAL, QUE.) – Andrew Buckley, a fourth-year quarterback from the University of Calgary, received the prestigious Hec Crighton Trophy as the outstanding player in CIS football, on Thursday evening.
The kinesiology student from Calgary had a dream night at the awards gala held at Sheraton Montreal Centre as he also claimed for the second straight season the Russ Jackson Award honouring excellence in football, academics and citizenship. He is the first player in CIS history to merit both awards in his career.
Other CIS award winners announced during the Sun Life Financial All-Canadian Banquet were Saint Mary's linebacker Jonathan Langa, who captured the Presidents' Trophy as defensive player of the year; Ottawa defensive tackle Ettore Lattanzio, who merited the J.P. Metras Trophy as most outstanding down lineman; Laval quarterback Hugo Richard, who received the Peter Gorman Trophy as top rookie; and Mount Allison head coach Kelly Jeffrey, who claimed the Frank Tindall Trophy.
The gala was held as part of the 50th TELUS Vanier Cup celebrations. The McMaster University Marauders face the University of Montreal Carabins in the milestone championship game Saturday at 1 p.m. EST at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, live on Sportsnet, Sportsnet 360, Radio-Canada and CIS-SIC.tv.
"Sun Life Financial is thrilled and proud to partner with Canadian Interuniversity Sport for the presentation of the 50th Vanier Cup banquet," said Robert Dumas, President, Sun Life Financial, Quebec. "I salute the determination, passion and commitment of the players who excel not only on the field but also in the classroom. Among those exceptional models are without a doubt the leaders of tomorrow and maybe our future colleagues."
"As mayor of Montreal, a graduate from the University of Montreal and an avid sports fan, I am pleased but also very honoured to be honorary chairman of this 2014 Vanier Cup banquet," said Mr. Denis Coderre. "Finally, the Vanier Cup in Montreal for the first time in 50 years! The Carabins and Marauders will offer a memorable sporting moment for football fans, like me. This is a great sporting event for Montreal, the kind of grand and unifying event which helps define a city like ours."
PRESIDENTS' TROPHY – JONATHAN LANGA (Saint Mary's)
Langa is the second Saint Mary's standout to receive the Presidents' Trophy, following Alex Eliopoulos in 1992.
The fourth-year criminology student in his third year of CIS eligibility led the country in total tackles this season with 80 in eight games (62 solo and 36 assisted), a new AUS record. The previous mark was held by former Mount Allison star Callan Exeter, who posted 77.5 tackles in 2008. In an Oct. 18 game versus StFX, Langa posted 13.0 tackles, putting him in a four-way tie for fifth place in the AUS record books for most tackles in a single game.
Following his third season with the Huskies, he currently sits in 11th place in the Atlantic conference all-time records for career tackles with 155.5. Named to the first all-Canadian team, Langa was also voted a league all-star for the third consecutive year.
"Jay is not only a tremendous football player, he is an incredible young man," said Huskies head coach Perry Marchese. "He is a team leader on and off the field. He is an extremely hard worker and gives 100 per cent effort every play, all the time. He is the heart and soul of the team and has an amazing future in whatever he decides to do."
Other nominees
RSEQ: Byron Archambault, linebacker, Montreal (Montreal, Que.)
OUA: Nick Shortill, linebacker, McMaster (Nobleton, Ont.)
CWUAA: Mark Ingram, defensive back, Saskatchewan (Imperial, Sask.)
FRANK TINDALL TROPHY – KELLY JEFFREY (Mount Allison)
Jeffrey becomes the first Mount Allison bench boss to win the Tindall Trophy. He has been honoured three times by AUS in his seven years at the helm, including each of the past two campaigns.
This season, Jeffrey led the Mounties to an 8-0 regular season record – the program's first-ever undefeated campaign. Finishing atop the AUS standings, the Mounties earned the right to host the Loney Bowl, marking the first time since 1998 that they hosted the AUS championship game.
The 2014 Mount Allison squad led the conference in scoring with 234 points, in rushing touchdowns with 14 and in total touchdowns with 25. On defence, the Mounties allowed the fewest point against per game in the country, giving up an average of just 8.0. They also led the AUS in an array of other statistical categories including total offense (2,702), yards per game (359.8), rushing yards (1,339), rushing attempts (286), yards per rush (4.7), punt returns (66-for-698), punt return average (10.6) and sacks (27).
Prior to his career with Mount Allison, Jeffrey served as head coach and offensive coordinator at Mayville State University in North Dakota for four years (2002-2005) and as a quarterback coach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (2001) and at the University of San Diego (1998-2000).
He also served as a running backs coach at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota from 1996 to 1997 and as a wide receivers coach at North Dakota's Dickinson State University from 1994-1995.
"We are absolutely thrilled to see Coach Jeffrey recognized for his commitment to and belief in our Mounties football program, not only for this year but from the moment he arrived in 2006," said Mount Allison director of athletics Pierre Arsenault. "Coach Jeffrey has had a plan and a vision for a nationally competitive Mounties football program and he has demonstrated the leadership savvy to get us there. As we continue to build on the success of back-to-back AUS champions and two straight national bowl game appearances, we feel very fortunate to have Kelly leading the way. He is in every way the recipient the CIS would aspire to for its Coach of the Year."
Other nominees:
RSEQ: Mickey Donovan, Concordia
OUA: Stefan Ptaszek, McMaster
CWUAA: Brian Towriss, Saskatchewan
For the complete CIS football major award winners release, please click here.
The 2014 CIS football all-stars were also announced Thursday evening. The Atlantic conference had 10 players named CIS all-Canadians. For the complete CIS release, please click here.
Source: CIS Communications