B. Hunchak, G. Onyeka and Brown named OUA Football Players of the Week
HAMILTON, Ont. - The following athletes have been named Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Football Players of the Week for the period ending August 29, 2016.
HAMILTON, Ont. - The following athletes have been named Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Football Players of the Week for the period ending August 29, 2016.
OFFENCE: Brett Hunchak (Calgary, Alta.) – 2nd yr. – York
York quarterback Brett Hunchak (Calgary, Alta.) has been named OUA Offensive Player of the Week after leading the Lions to a big home victory over Waterloo to open the season.
The second-year psychology student athlete was 17-of-25 for 331 yards and threw for five touchdowns in York’s 57-13 win over the visiting Warriors. Hunchak also had three carries for 32 yards rushing on the afternoon.
The 6’ 3”, 188 lbs pivot shared the ball around, completing passes to eight different receivers with three of his touchdowns being 30 yards or more, including a massive 77-yard toss to his brother Colton.
His five touchdown passes were the most of any quarterback on the opening weekend of play and the one-game total was more than double the two he threw all of last season.
Hunchak and the Lions return to the field on Monday night when they travel to Waterloo to take on the Laurier Golden Hawks (1-0).
DEFENCE: Godfrey Onyeka (Brampton, Ont.) – 3rd yr. – Laurier
Godfrey Onyeka (Brampton, Ont.) is the OUA Defensive Player of the Week after he single handedly rallied the Golden Hawks to a big 37-18 home victory over the Queen’s Gaels.
With Laurier trailing Queen’s 18-16 early in the fourth quarter, the third-year biology major sparked the Hawks comeback with a 43-yard interception return for his first career OUA touchdown and a 23-18 lead. The Hawks would score 21 unanswered fourth-quarter points to secure the win.
The CIS All-Canadian followed that up on the very next play by stripping the Queen’s returner, setting up another Laurier touchdown just two plays later.
The 6’3”, 205 lbs defensive back finished the game also with 4.5 tackles, and a pass breakup.
Onyeka and the staunch Hawks defensive will welcome the visiting York Lions to the not-so-friendly confines of University Stadium next Monday at 7:30 PM.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Malcolm Brown (London, Ont.) – 5th yr. – Western
Malcolm Brown (London, Ont.) wreaked havoc on special teams on Sunday night against the visiting Windsor Lancers blocking a pair of punts which were scooped up by teammates and returned to touchdowns.
Brown, a fifth-year student athlete who attends King’s College, helped put the Mustangs up 14-0 early in the first quarter when he blocked Windsor’s punt, which was recovered and returned 43 yards by fellow defensive back Jordan Beaulieu.
The 5’11”, 185 lbs defensive back was up to his old tricks late in the quarter as once again he got a hand on the Windsor punt. Beaulieuagain picked up the loose ball and took it 24 yards to the house to increase the Mustangs lead.
On defence, the London, Ont. native had four tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception.
Brown and the Mustangs will now head out on the road next weekend for a trip to Ottawa, Ont. to take on the Carleton Ravens (0-1).
