Graphic on predominantly blue background featuring action photos of Taylor Elgersma, Van Wishart, and Javonni Cunningham, along with Canadian Football Perspective logo and white text that reads 'Football Players of the Week'
September 13, 2023

Elgersma, Wishart, Cunningham named OUA football players of the week

Burlington, Ont. – Taylor Elgersma, Van Wishart, and Javonni Cunningham have been named Canadian Football Perspective’s OUA Players of the Week for Week 3.

Offensive Player of the Week – Taylor Elgersma, Wilfrid Laurier

Action photo of Laurier football player Taylor Elgersma about to throw the ball during a game

What didn’t Taylor Elgersma do for the Golden Hawks in their Week 3 win over Guelph?

The third-year pivot powered the Wilfrid Laurier offence with precision in their 60-21 victory over the Gryphons. Completing 30 of his 35 passes on the day – good for an 86% clip – Elgersma was not only efficient, but effective in his aerial efforts. The product of London, Ont. tied the Laurier program record with six touchdown passes. He connected with both Raidan Thorne and Ethan Jordan for a pair, in addition to single scores from Jace Atkinson and Darion Bacik-Hadden, and helped the former duo each post 130+ yards receiving on the day. That was all part of a 440-yard passing day for Elgersma, marking the third-highest total in school history. For good measure, the third-year kinesiology/physical education major also capped off his day with a rushing touchdown.

Elgersma now ranks second in the OUA with 311.7 passing yards per contest.

Defensive Player of the Week – Van Wishart, Queen’s

Action photo of Queen's football player Van Wishart looking onward before the snap during a game

Coming out of a bye in Week 2, Queen’s was hungry for their first win of the season, and Van Wishart helped them accomplish that feat with a stellar effort on the defensive side of the ball.

The dynamic defensive lineman made his presence felt against the Varsity Blues on Saturday to the tune of 4.5 tackles. Four of those came via the solo variety and more than half were at the expense of a Toronto quarterback. The senior kinesiology major from Courtice, Ont. teamed up with fellow Gael Liam Sutherland for a Kinsale Philip sack early in the second quarter, before doing the honours himself late in that same frame. He would add another sack halfway through the fourth frame for good measure, to bring his total to 2.5 on the day.

The impressive stat line brings his overall mark to four sacks on the season, good for second in the OUA.

Special Teams Player of the Week – Javonni Cunningham, Windsor

Action photo of Windsor football player Javonni Cunningham running with the ball during a game as an opposing defensive player comes into frame

The Windsor Lancers shone in all three phases of the game in their Week 3 win over Waterloo, and spearheading the special teams success was Javonni Cunningham.

In addition to his efforts on offence, wherein he contributed three receptions for 53 yards and a major, the fourth-year receiver was impactful in the return game. In addition to a 24-yard kick return, Cunningham compiled six punt returns for a combined 99 yards, with his most instrumental coming as the cherry on top of the strong Windsor performance. Late in the game, Cunningham corralled a punt and took it back 52 yards for the punt return touchdown to all but seal the deal on the Lancer victory.

Cunningham’s contributions were just the latest in a string of impactful performances from the Lancers that have helped them jump out to a 3-0 start.