WATERLOO, Ont. - The #1-ranked Golden Hawks kept their perfect season alive on Saturday, treating the packed Homecoming crowd to a 59-21 win over the Toronto Varsity Blues.
Here are the Laurier football Players of the Week, presented by Nothers The Award Store, for the team's win:
OFFENSE
Cal Wither – Quarterback
Wither had another huge performance on Saturday in the three quarters he played. He was 27-34 with 384 passing yards – his second straight game surpassing the 300-yard mark – three passing touchdowns and one rushing, and no interceptions.
The Waterloo native is now first in the OUA in completion percent (74.3%), total yards passing (1,805) and passing yards per game (300.8), passing touchdowns (18), and pass efficiency (193.0).
This was Wither's second Player of the Week nomination.
DEFENSE
Jessie Wilkins – Linebacker
Wilkins played a key role in Laurier's defensive success against the Varsity Blues. He had 5.5 tackles, three solo and five assists, with two crucial fumble recoveries, and one pass break up. He now has three recoveries this season after having only one last year.
The Windsor native leads the team in tackles with 31, placing him fifth in the OUA, and tackles per game with 5.2.
This was Wilkins's first Player of the Week selection of the season, and third of his career.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Oscar Wise – Defensive Line
The second-year lineman helped Laurier dominate on the defensive and special teams units. He had two assisted tackles and a sack just before Wilkins's first fumble recovery. He was part of the team's four sacks of the day. Wise also helped keep Toronto's rush attack at bay as they were only able to gain 113-yards.
Wise also stepped in to fill an important role: he was the long snapper for the Golden Hawks. He was accurate with his snaps to Dawson Hodge and blocked well for his kicker on the rare punting occasions, and he was able to help the special teams limit Toronto's return units to under 100-yards.
This was Wise's first career Player of the Week award.
SCOUT TEAM
The Laurier football scout team Players of the Week are Khalil Gooden (WR) on offense, Ethan Baird (LB) on defense, and Ethan Eldridge (WR) on special teams.
