Ottawa’s Lattanzio claims J.P. Metras Trophy at Sun Life Financial All-Canadian Banquet

MONTREAL (CIS) – 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."

Official TELUS Vanier Cup website: www.vaniercup.com

HEC CRIGHTON TROPHY & RUSS JACKSON AWARD – ANDREW BUCKLEY (Calgary)

Buckley becomes the fourth Dino to capture the Hec Crighton, following quarterback Greg Vavra (1983), receiver Don Blair (1995) and pivot Erik Glavic (2009). The Russ Jackson honour, meanwhile, is the second straight for Buckley and also the fourth for the University of Calgary after wins by Elio Geremia in 1987 and Lincoln Blumell in 2002.

The 6-foot, 201-pound Buckley was at the controls of the nation's most potent offence in 2014, leading the Dinos to school records in points, touchdowns, and total offence – and they led the nation in all three categories. They became the first team in Canada West history to break the 5,000-yard mark in total offence, adding 51 touchdowns and 419 points to their gaudy statistics totals.

Buckley was in the centre of it all. His surgical passing led to a 64.3 completion percentage, 2,175 passing yards, and 18 touchdowns through the air, and he threw fewer interceptions than any other starting quarterback in Canada West, boasting an incredible 4.5 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

And just as he did it through the air, Buckley did it with his legs as well. He finished fifth in Canada West in rushing with 510 yards, averaging nearly 64 per game. His yards-per-carry average was the best in Canada at 10.6, and he ran for more yards than any other quarterback in the country this season. He also scored 10 rushing touchdowns – the second-highest total among all players in CIS. And he did it all despite having to fight for his position in training camp, where he beat out the 2012 Canada West MVP, Eric Dzwilewski, for the starting job.

Perhaps most impressively, Buckley did all that while playing the equivalent of just 6.25 games on the season after the Dinos built up early leads in many of their contests en route to a 6-2 record and the No. 2 national ranking for all but the final two Top 10 polls of the season.

Away from the field, the graduate of Calgary's Rundle College is an honours student in the Faculty of Kinesiology and hopes to follow his father's footsteps into a career in orthopedic surgery following graduation. A three-time Academic All-Canadian in the classroom, he has been involved in several research studies, including one looking at a new method to reduce stiffness of the elbow joint by testing difference trial doses of a promising drug. The findings of this study were presented in 2014 at the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (Tampa, Fla.) and the Canadian Orthopaedic Association (Montreal).

Buckley has always made it a priority to give back to his school, his community, and other great causes. He volunteers with Alberta Health Services, where he is paired with two elderly Alzheimer's patients, providing companionship for three hours per week as well as relief for full-time caregivers. He embarked on a 10-day humanitarian trip to Guatemala to build efficient wood-burning stoves to replace dangerous open fires within homes.

"Very few quarterbacks have been able to pass and run as effectively as Andrew Buckley," said Dinos head coach Blake Nill. "His statistics are very impressive, but what is more impressive is that he only played the equivalent of 6.25 games – and there is no question his stats would have been even greater had he played more. He is an outstanding leader and competitor, he reads exceptionally well, and he is extremely humble and unselfish."

Other nominees (Hec Crighton Trophy):
AUS: Brian Jones, inside receiver, Acadia (Enfield, N.S.)
RSEQ: Hugo Richard, quarterback, Laval (St. Bruno, Que.)
OUA: Dillon Campbell, running back, Wilfrid Laurier (Whitby, Ont.)

Other nominees (Russ Jackson Award):
AUS: Sean Stoqua, defensive back, Acadia (Ottawa, Ont. / kinesiology)
RSEQ: Alexandre Laganière, offensive tackle, Montreal (Quebec City, Que. / administration)
OUA: Adam Dickson, nose tackle, McMaster (Niagara Falls, Ont. / engineering physics & man.)

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.)

J.P. METRAS TROPHY – ETTORE LATTANZIO (Ottawa)

Lattanzio is the third Gee-Gee to be recognized with the J.P. Metras Trophy, following Chris Gioskos in 1989 and Boyd Young in 1984.

The fourth-year defensive tackle led the OUA with eight sacks this fall and tied for the national lead with 14 tackles for a loss. Named the OUA's top lineman for the second straight season, he also merits a spot on the first all-Canadian team for the second year in a row.

A year ago, Lattanzio made the switch from defensive end to defensive tackle and still led the OUA with 10 sacks, which co-led the CIS. He picked up eight sacks in 2012 and five in 2011, for a career total of 31.

Known simply as "ET", the 6-foot, 260-pound Ottawa native attended Mother Theresa High School where he was also a competitive wrestler. The Classical Studies major came to uOttawa from the Myers Riders club system where he picked up his signature crouch, waiting for the opposing linemen to come to him before lining up to propel his way through them.

"Opponents always have to account for Ettore," said Gee-Gees head coach Jamie Barresi. "He draws double teams all season long and still does what he does. His speed, strength, and determination set him apart and he is an incredibly important part of our team."

Other nominees:
AUS: Jacob LeBlanc, defensive tackle, Mount Allison (Halifax, N.S.)
RSEQ: Vincent Desloges, defensive end, Laval (St. Augustin de Desmaures, Que.)
CWUAA: Donovan Dale, defensive tackle, UBC (Saskatoon, Sask.)

PETER GORMAN TROPHY – HUGO RICHARD (Laval)

Richard joins receiver Jean-Frédéric Tremblay (2000) as the only Laval freshmen to capture the Gorman Trophy. He was also named MVP of the Quebec conference in his university debut, becoming only the second rookie to be nominated for the Hec Crighton Trophy.

It was an amazing first season for Richard. Thrown into the action right at the beginning of the year against archrival Montreal, the St. Bruno, Que. native performed right away with a 371-yard, three-touchdown outing and ended up rewriting the team, RSEQ and CIS record books.

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound mechanical engineering student led the country in passing yards (2,576), touchdown passes (22) and TD-to-interception ratio (22-4). He also placed third in the nation in completion percentage (65.4), led all players in Quebec with six rushing majors and ranked first among RSEQ signal callers with 224 yards on the ground.

While leading the Rouge et Or to first place in the league standings with a 7-1 mark, the Vanier College product set RSEQ records for most TD passes in a game (7) and in a season, shattered the previous CIS rookie standards for TD passes and passing yards in a campaign and, for good measure, set a new team mark for most yards in a single contest (506).

"Hugo arrived here with an exemplary work ethic. His athletic abilities are exceptional, but what impresses me most is his desire to learn and always wanting to be better. He is never satisfied, and that is the mark of a great player," said Laval head coach Glen Constantin.

Other nominees:
AUS: Chris Reid, running back, Mount Allison (Brampton, Ont.)
OUA: Daniel Petermann, wide receiver, McMaster (Stoney Creek, Ont.)
CWUAA: Marcus Davis, inside receiver & returner, UBC (Victoria, B.C.)

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

ALL-TIME MAJOR AWARD WINNERS

HEC CRIGHTON TROPHY (Outstanding Player)

2014 Andrew Buckley, Calgary
2013 Jordan Heather, Bishop's, QB
2012 Kyle Quinlan, McMaster, QB
2011  Billy Greene, UBC, QB
2010  Brad Sinopoli, Ottawa, QB
2009  Erik Glavic, Calgary, QB
2008  Benoît Groulx, Laval, QB
2007  Erik Glavic, Saint Mary's, QB
2006  Daryl Stephenson, Windsor, RB
2005  Andy Fantuz, Western Ontario, REC
2004  Jesse Lumsden, McMaster, RB
2003  Tommy Denison, Queen's, QB
2002  Tommy Denison, Queen's, QB
2001  Ben Chapdelaine, McMaster, QB
2000  Kojo Aidoo, McMaster, RB
1999  Phil Côté, Ottawa, QB
1998  Éric Lapointe, Mount Allison, RB
1997  Mark Nohra, UBC, RB
1996  Éric Lapointe, Mount Allison, RB
1995  Don Blair, Calgary, REC
1994  Bill Kubas, Wilfrid Laurier, QB
1993  Tim Tindale, Western, FB
1992  Eugene Buccigrossi, Toronto, QB
1991  Tim Tindale, Western, FB
1990  Chris Flynn, Saint Mary's, QB
1989  Chris Flynn, Saint Mary's, QB
1988  Chris Flynn, Saint Mary's, QB
1987  Jordan Gagner, UBC, QB
1986  Blake Marshall, Western, RB
1985  Larry Mohr, Queen's, RB
1984  Phil Scarfone, McMaster, QB
1983  Greg Vavra, Calgary, QB
1982  Rick Zmich, Ottawa, QB
1981  Dan Feraday, Toronto, QB
1980  Greg Marshall, Western, RB
1979  Scott Mallender, Windsor, QB
1978  Jamie Bone, Western, QB
1977  Bob Cameron, Acadia, QB/K
1976  Bob Stracina, Acadia, REC/K
1975  Brian Fryer, Alberta, REC
1974  Al Charuk, Acadia, FS
1973  Dave Pickett, Saskatchewan, QB
1972  Andrew Parici, Windsor, QB
1971  Mel Smith, Alberta, REC
1970  Paul Paddon, Ottawa, QB
1969  Dave Fleiszer, McGill, FB
1968  Mike Raham, Toronto, RB
1967  Mike Eben, Toronto REC

PRESIDENTS' TROPHY (Outstanding Defensive Player)

2014 Jonathan Langa, Saint Mary's
2013 Pawel Kruba, Western
2012 Frédéric Plesius, Laval
2011  Max Caron, Concordia
2010  Henoc Muamba, StFX
2009  Cory Greenwood, Concordia
2008  Thaine Carter, Queen's
2007  Mat Nesbitt, Regina
2006  Patrick Donovan, Concordia
2005  Patrick Donovan, Concordia
2004  Mickey Donovan, Concordia
2003  Neil McKinlay, Simon Fraser
2002  Adam MacDonald, StFX
2001  David Stipe, Bishop's
2000  Joey Mikawoz, Manitoba
1999  Mike Letendre, Saskatchewan
1998  Warren Muzika, Saskatchewan
1997  Jason Van Geel, Waterloo
1996  Derek Krete, Western
1995  Paul Frlan, StFX
1994  Cory Delaney, Waterloo
1993  Lou Tiro, Toronto
1992  Alex Eliopoulos, Saint Mary's
1991  Ray Bernard, Bishop's
1990  Randy Power, Mount Allison
1989  Mark Singer, Alberta
1988  Leroy Blugh, Bishop's
1987  Brent Lewis, Western
1986  Mark Norman, UBC
1985  Darcy Kopp, Calgary
1984  Larry Oglesby, Mount Allison
1983  Tom Timlin, Carleton
1982  Mike Emery, UBC
1981  Mike Emery, UBC
1980  Rich Payne, Wilfrid Laurier

J.P. METRAS TROPHY (Outstanding Down Lineman)

2014  Ettore Lattanzio, Ottawa
2013 Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, McGill
2012 Ben D'Aguilar, McMaster
2011  Arnaud Gascon-Nadon, Laval
2010  Arnaud Gascon-Nadon, Laval
2009  Matt Morencie, Windsor
2008  Étienne Légaré, Laval
2007  Scott Evans, Wilfrid Laurier
2006  Chris Best, Waterloo
2005  Dominic Picard, Laval
2004  Troy Cunningham, Concordia
2003  Ibrahim Khan, Simon Fraser
2002  Israel Idonije, Manitoba
2001  Carl Gourgues, Laval
2000  Randy Chevrier, McGill
1999  Tyson St. James, UBC
1998  Garret Everson, Calgary
1997  Mike Kushnir, StFX
1996  James Repesse, Saskatchewan
1995  Harry Van Hofwegen, Carleton
1994  Paul Connery, Bishop's
1993  Paul Chesser, Concordia
1992  Chris Konrad, Calgary
1991  Jason Rauhaus, Manitoba
1990  Chris Morris, Toronto
1989  Chris Gioskos, Ottawa
1988  Veron Stiliadis, Wilfrid Laurier
1987  Pierre Vercheval, Western
1986  Louie Godry, Guelph
1985  Mike Schad, Queen's
1984  Boyd Young, Ottawa
1983  Jim DeSilva, Carleton
1982  Peter Langford, Guelph
1981  Tony Grassa, StFX
1980  Scott McArthur, Calgary
1979  Jim Muller, Queen's
1978  Dave Willox, Alberta
1977  Dick Bakker, Queen's
1976  Gerry Inglis, Alberta
1975  Mark Pothier, Saint Mary's
1974  Bart Evans, Manitoba

PETER GORMAN TROPHY (Rookie of the Year)

2014 Hugo Richard, Laval
2013 Daniel Vandervoort, McMaster
2012 Shaquille Johnson, McGill
2011  Tyler Varga, Western Ontario
2010  Eric Dzwilewski, Calgary
2009  Linden Gaydosh, Calgary
2008  Jordan Verdone, Waterloo
2007  Liam Mahoney, Concordia
2006  Dalin Tollestrup, Calgary
2005  Martin Gagné, Montréal
2004  Kyle Williams, Bishop's
2003  Maxime Gagnier, Montréal
2002  Andy Fantuz, Western
2001  Jeremy Steeves, StFX
2000  Jean-Frédéric Tremblay, Laval
1999  Sébastien Roy, Mount Allison
1998  Kojo Aidoo, McMaster
1997  Paul Carty, StFX
1996  Jeff Johnson, York
1995  Éric Lapointe, Mount Allison
1994  Andre Arlain, StFX
1993  Jerome Pathon, Acadia
1992  Sean Reade, Western
1991  Dominic Zagari, Manitoba
1990  Bill Kubas, Wilfrid Laurier
1989  Chris Banton, Ottawa
1988  Grant Keaney, Mount Allison
1987  Dan Farthing, Saskatchewan
1986  Michael Soles, McGill
1985  Mark Brown, Carleton
1984  Jeff Funtasz, Alberta
1983  Paul Nastasiuk, Wilfrid Laurier
1982  Mike Fabilli, Ottawa
1981  Glenn Steele, UBC
1980  John Hutchinson, Mount Allison
1979  Joey Tynes, StFX
1978  John Lowe, Guelph
1977  Gord Goodwin, Calgary
1976  Jim Reid, Wilfrid Laurier

FRANK TINDALL TROPHY (coach of the year)

2014 Kelly Jeffrey, Mount Allison
2013 Kevin Mackey, Bishop's
2012 Stefan Ptaszek, McMaster
2011  Jeff Cummins, Acadia
2010  Glen Constantin, Laval
2009  Steve Sumarah, Saint Mary's
2008  Pat Sheahan, Queen's
2007  Frank McCrystal, Regina
2006  Denis Piché, Ottawa
2005  Glen Constantin, Laval
2004  Jerry Friesen, Alberta
2003  Gary Jeffries, Wilfrid Laurier
2002  Chuck McMann, McGill
2001  Brian Dobie, Manitoba
2000  Greg Marshall, McMaster
1999  Blake Nill, Saint Mary's
1998  Larry Haylor, Western
1997  John Stevens, StFX
1996  Dan McNally, Guelph
1995  Rick Zmich, Wilfrid Laurier
1994  Brian Towriss, Saskatchewan
1993  Larry Uteck, Saint Mary's
1992  Ian Breck, Bishop's
1991  Rich Newbrough, Wilfrid Laurier
1990  Larry Haylor, Western
1989  Dave Knight, Waterloo
1988  Larry Uteck, Saint Mary's
1987  Frank Smith, UBC
1986  Bruce Coulter, Bishop's
1985  Peter Connellan, Calgary
1984  Steve Bruno, Mount Allison
1983  Doug Hargreaves, Queen's
1982  Bernie Custis, McMaster
1981  John Huard, Acadia
1980  Cam Innes, Ottawa
1979  Dave "Tuffy" Knight, Wilfrid Laurier
1978  Frank Smith, UBC
1977  Peter Connellan, Calgary
1976  Darwin Semotiuk, Western
1975  Don Gilbert, Ottawa
1974  Ron Murphy, Toronto
1973  Ed Hilton, UPEI
1972  Dave "Tuffy" Knight, Wilfrid Laurier
1971  Jim Donlevy, Alberta
1970  Frank Cosentino, Western
1969  Henry Janzen, Manitoba

RUSS JACKSON AWARD (football, academics & citizenship)

2014 Andrew Buckley, Calgary
2013 Andrew Buckley, Calgary
2012 Zach Androschuk, Guelph
2011  Dillon Heap, Wilfrid Laurier
2010  Thomas Hall, Manitoba
2009  Thomas Hall, Manitoba
2008  David Hamilton, Toronto
2007  Clovis Langlois-Boucher, Sherbrooke
2006  Naim El-Far, Ottawa
2005  Dan Parker, Mount Allison
2004  Nathan Beveridge, UBC
2003  Curt McLellan, Queen's
2002  Lincoln Blumell, Calgary
2001  Josh Alexander, Wilfrid Laurier
2000  Carlo Panaro, Alberta
1999  Carlo Panaro, Alberta
1998  Jean-Philippe Darche, McGill
1997  Sam Stetsko, Alberta
1996  Sean O'Neill, Carleton
1995  Ted MacLean, Saint Mary's
1994  Steve Papp, McGill
1993  David Sykes, Saint Mary's
1992  David Sykes, Saint Mary's
1991  J.P. Veri, McGill
1990  J.P. Veri, McGill
1989  Jock Climie, Queen's
1988  Andrew Allison, Mount Allison
1987  Elio Geremia, Calgary
1986  Charlie Galunic, Queen's

Source: CIS