FRC – U SPORTS Football Players of the Week (#12): Joseph, Betts, DiFonte honoured
U SPORTS – TORONTO (U SPORTS) – Western running back Cedrick Joseph, Laval defensive lineman Mathieu Betts and Calgary kicker Niko DiFonte are the U SPORTS Football Players of the Week, for the period ending November 14, 2017.
In his second straight standout playoff performance to earn him U SPORTS Offensive Player of the Week honours, Western’s Cedric Joseph continued his offensive onslaught in the 110th Yates Cup against the Laurier Golden Hawks. The Mustangs running back racked up 250 yards rushing on 21 carries, to go along with three touchdowns. His three majors on the day gave the Montreal, Que., native an astounding seven touchdowns over Western’s two playoff games after scoring four times in the team’s semifinal win over Guelph.
Joseph’s first score, a 12-yard run in the first quarter, put the Mustangs up 10-0 early on. His second major, an impressive 31-yard rush, came in the midst of an offensively-charged second quarter, while his third and final score pushed Western’s lead to 34 in the third quarter. For his efforts, Joseph was named the winner of the Dalt White Trophy as Yates Cup MVP.
Defensive end Mathieu Bets earned the game’s MVP honours in the Dunsmore Cup final after having been in the middle of the action for plays that made the difference in the Rouge et Or’s 25-22 win over the Carabins. Betts picked up a pair of sacks including a critical one on a second down play in the fourth quarter at midfield. He forced a fumble that was then recovered by the Rouge et Or in the opening quarter that allowed Glen Constantin’s squad to take back the lead for good at 10-8. Off the stats sheet, Betts put constant pressure on Carabins quarterback Samuel Caron who was then forced to prematurely release the ball on several of his throws.
What a day it was for Dinos second-year kicker DiFonte, who went 6-for-8 on field goals, and 3-for-3 on extra points. While the first five field goals played a role in Calgary’s 44-43 win over UBC, it was DiFonte’s final kick that made all the difference in the world.
DiFonte’s U SPORTS record 59-yard boot as time expired not only gave Calgary the Hardy Cup, it also handed the Dinos a piece of viral video gold, making its way to every Canadian network, and even ESPN’s SportsCenter. Simply put, it was 59 yards of Hardy Cup magic that won’t soon be forgotten.
Offensive nominees:
CW: Hunter Karl, receiver, Calgary
OUA: Cedric Joseph, running back, Western
RSEQ: Hugo Richard, quarterback, Laval
AUS: Cam Davidson, running back, Acadia
Defensive nominees:
CW: Boston Rowe, linebacker, Calgary
OUA: Fraser Sopik, linebacker, Western
RSEQ: Mathieu Betts, defensive lineman, Laval
AUS: Rory Kelly, defensive back, Acadia
Special teams nominees:
CW: Niko DiFonte, kicker, Calgary
OUA: Mike Sananes, defensive back, Western
RSEQ: David Côté, kicker, Laval
AUS: Eugene McMinns, receiver, Acadia
– Player bios provided by U SPORTS member conferences
Sportsnet and TVA Sports are once again the official broadcasters of the U SPORTS football semifinals and final in 2017… The Uteck Bowl (Western at Acadia, 12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 am PT) and the Mitchell Bowl (Laval at Calgary, 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT) are set for Saturday, Nov. 18. Both games will be televised live on Sportsnet 360 and TVA Sports 2 with a 30-minute pre-game show kicking things off at 12 noon ET / 9 a.m. PT. The doubleheader is also available online through Sportsnet NOW and TVASports.ca (authenticated users only).
The ArcelorMittal Dofasco Vanier Cup follows on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton… For all the information on the 53rd Vanier Cup (including tickets) visit vaniercup.com.
About Football Reporters of Canada
Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) represents journalists and broadcasters in every region of the country covering U SPORTS Football. Since 1958, Football Reporters of Canada has been an organization of media members who have covered the Canadian Football League, serving to select the league’s outstanding players, coach-of-the-year and all-star teams through voting conducted by its members. In 2009, the FRC amalgamated with the University Football Reporters of Canada (UFRC) to give the organization greater scope in its affiliation with amateur and university football. FRC also works with the CFL and U SPORTS to establish guidelines and working conditions for the men and women who report on the game. Selected members of FRC also help to choose builders, players and media members for induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
About U SPORTS
U SPORTS is the national brand for university sports in Canada. Every year, over 12,000 student-athletes and 500 coaches from 56 universities vie for 21 national championships in 12 different sports. U SPORTS also provides higher performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at Winter and Summer Universiades, as well as numerous world university championships. For further information, visit USPORTS.ca.
For further information, please contact:
Ken Saint-Eloy
Senior Manager, Communications
U SPORTS
Cell: 647-871-7595
Alan Hudes
Coordinator, Communications
U SPORTS
Off: 905-508-3000 ext. 242
Cell: 647-991-5343