Hastings, Newton and Bennett named OUA Football Players of the Week
BURLINGTON, Ont. - The following athletes have been named Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Football Players of the Week for the period ending September 14, 2015.
BURLINGTON, Ont. - The following athletes have been named Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Football Players of the Week for the period ending September 14, 2015.
OFFENCE: Asher Hastings (Regina, Saskatchewan) – 3rd yr. – McMaster
Making just his second career start, McMaster Marauders quarterback Asher Hastings (Regina, Saskatchewan) once again filled up the stats sheet as the No. 7 nationally-ranked Marauders' defeated the Ottawa Gee-Gees 57-42.
The third-year Psychology student-athlete completed 24 of 35 attempts (68.6% completion percentage), for 373 yards and five touchdowns, with no interceptions.
Hastings, a 6'4" 215 lbs quarterback, kept the Ottawa defence off-balance all day by sharing the football across the field, finding a different receiver on four of his five touchdown passes.
Through just two games this season, Hastings leads OUA and CIS in yards passing per game (378.5) and touchdowns (10). He has not thrown an interception in his 69 attempts, while completing 72.5% of his passes.
Hastings and the Marauders will be on the road on Saturday as they travel to Guelph, Ont. for a Yates Cup rematch against the Guelph Gryphons at 1:00pm. Catch the game live on OUA.tv and locally on Cable 14 (Hamilton) and Rogers TV Cable 20 (Guelph).
DEFENCE: Curtis Newton (London, Ont.) – 4th yr. – Guelph
Linebacker Curtis Newton (London, Ont.) and the No. 5 nationally-ranked Guelph Gryphons defence smothered York on Saturday, limiting the Lions to just one offensive touchdown in a 49-22 victory.
Newton, a fourth-year Sociology student-athlete, finished the game with a fumble recovery, an interception and four tackles.
In the first quarter, the 6'2" 220 lbs linebacker took advantage of a bobbled snap by the Lions, pouncing on the loose ball giving the Gryphons great field position. He followed that up in the second quarter by picking off Lions quarterback Brett Hunchak for his first interception of the season.
Newton and the Gryphons defence limited the Lions to just 98 yards on the ground, marking the third consecutive week that they’ve allowed less than 100 yards rushing. Through three games, the Gryphons currently own the top run defence in OUA, allowing just 86.7 rushing yards per game.
Saturday will be Homecoming at the University of Guelph and what bigger game to celebrate with than a Yates Cup rematch against the rival McMaster Marauders. The Gyphons will welcome the Marauders to the not-so-friendly confines of Alumni Stadium in Guelph, Ont. for the OUA.tv Marquee Matchup at 1:00pm. Catch the game live on OUA.tv and locally on Cable 14 (Hamilton) and Rogers TV Cable 20 (Guelph).
SPECIAL TEAMS: Jahmari Bennett (Mississauga, Ont.) – 4th yr. – York
York Lions returner Jahmari Bennett (Mississauga, Ont.) recorded 291 return yards on just nine returns in a 49-22 loss to the No. 5 nationally-ranked Guelph Gryphons on Saturday afternoon.
On the first snap of the fourth quarter, Bennett, a fourth-year Religious Studies student-athlete, returned a missed field goal attempt 115 yards the other way to the end zone for a touchdown. The return is currently the longest recorded play in the CIS so far this season.
The 5'11" 185 lbs returner also recorded an additional 175 kick return yards on seven attempts in the contest, for an average of 25 yards per return.
Bennett, who suited up Week 1 for the Lions as quarterback has proven to be a versatile weapon for York, also seeing time at both running back and receiver this season. Through the first three weeks of the season, Bennett is the OUA leader with 27.6 punt return yards per game and is also fourth with 22.8 kick return yards per game.
Next up for the Bennett and the Lions will be a showdown against the Waterloo Warriors on Saturday at 1:00pm.
