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Canadians in the NCAA Week 14

Canadians in the NCAA Week 14

By By Lok Tin Yao

Saginaw Valley State corner Matt Black (Toronto, ON) participated in the eighth annual East Coast Bowl. Showing exactly why he was there, the senior collected an interception and five tackles for the South all-stars. The South beat up on the North team and came up with the first shut out in the East Coast Bowl history, 27-0.

Buffalo pulled off one of the biggest college upsets this year, on the way to a first Mid-American Conference Championship. Headed into the game, Buffalo boasted a modest 7-5 record, but 12-ranked Ball State bettered that with an unblemished 12-0, such was the daunting task facing the Bulls going into the game.

The Cardinals outgained and outdid the Bulls in almost every statistical category, and that included turnovers. Buffalo came up with an interception and four fumbles, two of which were returned for touchdowns in the third quarter. Midway in the fourth quarter, Ball State’s fourth fumble proved to be the nail in the coffin as Buffalo went up 35-17 on the ensuing drive.

Defensive linemen Ronald Hilaire (Laval, QC) and Bruno Lapointe (Lennoxville, QC) each delivered a tackle against the vaunted Cardinals offense. The 42-24 win was Buffalo’s first ever victory over a Top 25 ranked opponent.

Big Sky Co-Champions Montana and Weber State faced off again, but this time in the playoffs. The Grizzles sprinted out to a quick first quarter 14-0 lead, but the Wildcats responded with a touchdown in the second quarter, though they could not muster much against the Grizzlies defense.

Montana defensive end Mike Stadnyk (Regina, SK) made one tackle, while kicker Brody McKnight (Vancouver, BC) produced a 38-yard field goal and three extra points. Montana held on to win 24-13, advancing to the semifinals against first seed James Madison.

New Hampshire had their championship run ended by Northern Iowa in a 36-34 loss. The Wildcats led 27-26 at halftime, but a Panther field goal and interception returned for a touchdown put the game just out of reach. New Hampshire corner Ryan Hinds (Toronto, ON) led the team with nine tackles.

Tulsa’s nation-leading offense collided with the conference’s best defense in the Conference USA Championship game. Left tackle Tyler Holmes’ (Ottawa, ON) performance allowed the Golden Hurricanes to pile up 399 yards of offense, but five interceptions let East Carolina escape with a 27-24 win.

Rutgers is riding high, stretching their win-streak to six games. The Scarlet Knights flattened Louisville 63-14 for a school record five straight Big East wins. Rutgers mounted a 49-0 lead at the half and never had to look back. Defensive end Jamaal Westerman (Brampton, ON) recorded three tackles, a tackle for a loss, and a quarterback hurry.

Connecticut could not knock off number 23 Pittsburgh and the Huskies suffered a 34-10 loss at home. Huskies guard Muhammad Petrus (St.Laurent, QC) and tight end Martin Bedard (Laval, QC) blocked the way for 225 rushing yards, but the passing game committed five interceptions.

Other Canadian players honored for their outstanding seasons included Western Illinois defensive back Mike McEachern (Calgary, AB), who received a selection to the Missouri Valley Football all-conference team. The senior led the secondary in tackles with 60, seven for losses, has two sacks, and an interception. He also contributed on the special teams with two blocked kicks.

Boise State Andrew Woodruff (Victoria, B.C.) received the team’s honor as Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award. In his four years with the Broncos, the senior served as a reliable starter, displaying versatility on the offensive line by starting at four different positions. The Broncos also gave defensive tackle Michael Atkinson (Windsor, ON) the Defensive Scout Player of the Year award.

Several Canadians will continue in postseason action and will taste the excitement of participating in a college bowl game.

Number 9 Boise State accepted an invitation to play in the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego, CA. Andrew Woodruff and fellow lineman Jon Gott (Lethbridge, AB) help pave the wave for the offense against number 11 TCU on December 23 at 8 pm, live on ESPN.

Central Michigan does not have to travel far for a Motor City Bowl contest against Florida Atlantic. Receiver Kito Poblah (Montreal, QC), offensive tackle Greg Wojt (Mississauga, ON), and safety Eric Fraser (Burnaby, B.C.) get to showcase their skills in Detroit, MI on December 26 at 7:30 pm, also on ESPN.

The suddenly-hot Rutgers defense, led by defensive end Jamaal Westermann (Brampton, ON), takes on North Carolina State in the PapaJohns.com Bowl. The match-up will be in Birmingham, AL on December 29 at 3 pm, broadcasting on ESPN.

The International Bowl will have some international flavor as a few Canadians head back north to Toronto, ON. Buffalo defensive lineman Ronald Hilaire (Laval, QC) and Bruno Lapointe (Lennoxville, QC) line up across from Connecticut offensive lineman Muhammad Petrus (St.Laurent, QC) and tight end Martin Bedard (Laval, QC). The contest takes place on January 3 at noon, on ESPN2.

Nevada’s rushing attack is going to test Maryland in the Humanitarian Bowl on December 30. Wolfpack offensive lineman John Bender (Cochrane, AB) will try open lanes through the Terrapin defense. The game start is set for 4:30 pm in Boise, ID, on ESPN.

Rice hopes to put on an air show against Western Michigan in the Texas Bowl in Houston, TX. Owls offensive lineman Scott Mitchell (Ottawa, ON) will attempt to keep the Broncos at bay, while defensive end Arnaud Gascon-Nadon (Montreal, QC) supports the defensive effort. The match-up is to take place on December 30 at 8 pm, showing on the NFL Network.

For the first time, Kansas will be making consecutive bowl appearances. This time it is versus Minnesota in the Insight Bowl in Tempe, AZ. The Jayhawks secondary is helped out by safety Tang Bacheyie, to slow down the Badgers offense. The New Year’s Eve contest will start at 5:30 pm, also on the NFL Network.

On New Year’s Day, the Outback Bowl plays host to South Carolina and Iowa. Offensive tackle Justin Sorensen will keep Hawkeye defenders in check to get the Gamecocks offense rolling. The game is in Tampa, FL with an 11 am start time on ESPN.

Tulsa’s high-octane offense will attempt to follow on the coattails of Buffalo and hand number 22 Ball State an upset of their own in the GMAC Bowl after the Cardinals suffered their first loss of the season in the MAC championship game. Tackle Tyler Holmes mans the left side for the nation’s top-rated passer in David Johnson. The site for the game is Mobile, AL on January 5 at 8 pm, airing on ESPN.