Top Performers

Ottawa REDBLACKS
1

It really should have occurred to me to do this last week when Ottawa swept, but we can still start now.

DL | Keith Shologan | Ottawa REDBLACKS

Ottawa’s Keith Shologan was named Shaw CFL Top Performer after the Ottawa REDBLACKS’ late home win over the Montreal Alouettes on Friday.

In the game, Shologan recorded five tackles including a career-high three sacks. The trio of sacks accumulated a total loss of 27 yards; it was his third career multi-sack game.

After administering heavy pressure in the first half, the Spruce Grove, Alberta native sent Montreal quickly to a two and out in the third quarter with his second sack of the game against quarterback Rakeem Cato. Shologan recorded his final sack of the contest with 1:25 remaining to stave off an attempt by Montreal to catch the REDBLACKS’ score. With 12 tackles in six games (an average of two tackles per game), Shologan is on pace to eclipse his season high of tackles (31 in 2013).

Both of Shologan’s two other tackles were also tackles for a loss; resulting in four yards lost in total.

Shologan is the second defensive player for the REDBLACKS and the first defensive Canadian player to receive Shaw CFL Top Performer honours. Shologan is the third Canadian to be named a Shaw Top Performer this season – Calgary Stampeder, Jon Cornish and BC Lions, Andrew Harris were the first two.


To tell you the truth, I didn’t think he got all three. I thought one was Whiteside’s or at least shared with him, but maybe Shologan made initial contact and I didn’t see it.

Nonetheless, he really showed up in this one. :thup:

2

Sure enough…

[b]Gord Holder[/b] Official review of stats for Redblacks-Alouettes game takes 2 sacks credited to Ottawa's Keith Shologan and gives them to Aston Whiteside.
3

I like what Whiteside brings to the table. Indeed a surprise and he shows a lot of emotion. But then again, the whole defence has stepped up when needed most :thup:

4

Forgot about this after Week 12. Was reminded of it as I’d expect to see Burris appear here this week.

RB | Jeremiah Johnson | Ottawa REDBLACKS

Ottawa REDBLACKS running back Jeremiah Johnson had his third consecutive multiple-touchdown game on Sunday night against the BC Lions, helping Ottawa to their first win in BC since 1990.

Johnson collected a pair of touchdowns to help Ottawa reach their 31-18 win. He ran for 100 yards in 17 rushes, adding 41 receiving yards on five catches.

The Los Angeles, CA native helped Ottawa off to a strong start in the game, winning first downs and showing strong chemistry with quarterback Henry Burris with multiple short runs to build Ottawa’s yardage.

The University of Oregon alum netted his first touchdown of the game in the third quarter, pushing over the line to put Ottawa ahead 24-18. His second touchdown came in the final 10 minutes of the game off a 12-yard run and solidified Ottawa’s lead.

While at Oregon, Johnson ran for over 100 yards on six separate occasions and maintains a record for eighth in all-time career rushing with 2336 yards.

5

Sho 'nuff.

QB | Henry Burris | Ottawa REDBLACKS

Henry Burris had a fantastic weekend, racking up 477 passing yards and two touchdown passes to tip the Ottawa REDBLACKS over the Saskatchewan Roughriders 30-27 on Saturday.

Burris, a product of Temple University, went 35 for 45 on passes and helped the sophomore franchise to their first-ever three-game win streak.

The Spiro, Oklahoma native utilized his stable of receivers, connecting on passes to press for touchdowns in a thrilling close win. In addition to the two touchdown passes, he tacked on another major and 16 yards on seven rush attempts.

Burris is currently second overall in passing yards, with 3298 on the season.

6

Hank makes the cut again!

Henry Burris led the Ottawa REDBLACKS to a playoff berth for the first time in franchise history with his performance behind under centre in their 27-24 victory over the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday.

Burris finished the game with 370 yards and a touchdown after making 34 of his 43 throws. He orchestrated a 14-play, 92-yard touchdown drive and connected with all six of his receivers, going 8 for 9 and ending with a 5-yard touchdown for rookie William Powell.

The Spiro, Oklahoma native bookended the game by setting up a 25-yard reception for Maurice Price and letting Powell run the ball in.

The product of Temple University, Burris has had one of his best seasons in the CFL. He is on pace to eclipse the 5,000-yard barrier and currently leads the CFL in passing yards with 4,735. He has also thrown for 19 touchdowns through 17 weeks in the season.

This is Burris’ third weekly accolade in the past five weeks, and his fourth Shaw Top Performer recognition this season.

7
Ottawa REDBLACKS quarterback Henry Burris has been named one of the league's top weekly performers in the Canadian Football League for the fifth time this season, and for the second consecutive week.

The 40-year-old Burris has been named a Shaw CFL Top Performer of Week 18.

The native of Spiro, Oklahoma helped the REDBLACKS to the team’s 10th win on Saturday at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg, leading the club to a 27-20 decision over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Burris scored on a third-down plunge from the one-yard line to break a tie and give Ottawa the lead in the final minute.

The dramatic moment provided a fitting climax to an emotional afternoon of football. Burris completed 29 of 43 passes for 413 yards and one touchdown, despite temporarily exiting the game after taking a hit on a pass to Chris Williams for a 51-yard major in the dying seconds of the opening half.

Burris returned after the intermission and played the remainder of the game, leading the team on an 11-play, 76-yard drive that took four minutes and 44 seconds off the clock and ended on a third-down touchdown plunge by Burris from the one-yard line with 45 seconds remaining.

Earlier in the game, on the first play from scrimmage, Burris connected with Williams on a 15-yard play that put Burris over the career 60,000-yard milestone. Only Anthony Calvillo and Damon Allen have accomplished the feat in the CFL.

Burris is having a career season. The Temple grad has completed an astounding 436 passes and, with two games remaining in the regular season, has a chance of setting the CFL record for the most completions in one season (479), set by Ricky Ray in 2005 while he played for the Edmonton Eskimos.

Already, Burris has surpassed Calvillo into second place on the all-time CFL list for career completions (4,423), trailing Allen who had 5,158.

8
Smilin' Hank, a.k.a. Henry Burris, has done it again.

The Ottawa REDBLACKS quarterback, who turns 41 next June, has been named the CFL’s top player of October, the second time Burris has garnered the monthly award this season.

Burris is having a career season. The Temple grad has completed an astounding 453 passes and has a shot at setting the CFL record for the most completions in one season (479), set by Ricky Ray in 2005 while he played for the Edmonton Eskimos.

Burris’ 453 completions ranks fifth on the all-time CFL list for completions in one season, behind Ray’s 479, Anthony Calvillo with 472 (2008), Doug Flutie with 466 (1991) and Kent Austin with 459 (1992).

Already, Burris has surpassed Calvillo into second place on the all-time CFL list for career completions (4,423), trailing Allen who had 5,158.

Burris began October with a performance for the ages on the month’s first day, completing a league-record 45 passes at TD Place during a victory over the Montreal Alouettes. He also set a career high with 504 passing yards in that game.

In his last five games, Burris has completed an average of 30 passes and 345 yards in each and has helped his team to four wins over that span.


Who was it again that was convinced that we should trade him late last year? And who wanted him released after pre-season this year?

9

Citron!

Ottawa REDBLACKS defensive lineman Shawn Lemon has been named one of the league's top weekly performers in the Canadian Football League.

Last Sunday at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Lemon had one tackle and two sacks and was a thorn in the side to Ticats offensive players all afternoon as the REDBLACKS won for a third straight time in a 12-6 decision.

Lemon has five sacks and 13 tackles since joining the REDBLACKS in September as a free agent.

10

Old hat for Burris, nice props for Ellingson.

[b]QB | Henry Burris | Ottawa REDBLACKS[/b]

With the East Division title hanging in the balance In the final week of the CFL regular season, REDBLACKS pivot Henry Burris saved his best for last.

In Ottawa’s 44-28 victory over the visiting Tiger-Cats, Burris connected for a career-high six touchdown passes while passing for 358 yards and completing 75.7 percent of his passes (28 for 37).

During the first half, Burris tossed a pair of touchdowns to Greg Ellingson from 31 and three yards out. However, despite this strong start, the REDBLACKS trailed entering the third quarter.

Burris carried over the momentum from the first half into the second, finding Patrick Lavoie and Greg Ellingson for his third touchdown reception of the game. He followed that up with two more touchdown passes in the final frame to Brad Sinopoli and Chris Williams.

This season, Burris set a new benchmark in his 15-year CFL career. He set personal records with 5,693 passing yards to lead all quarterbacks this season and had the highest completions percentage in a season with 70.9 per cent.

In total, Burris recorded ten games with 300+ passing yards and seven with 350+ passing yards.

This marks the sixth time this season Burris was named a Shaw CFL Top Performer of the Week. He was also named Top Performer of the month twice.

WR | Greg Ellingson | Ottawa REDBLACKS

Ottawa REDBLACKS receiver Greg Ellingson had a career game in Ottawa’s division-clinching victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Ottawa on Saturday.

The Tampa Bay, Florida native notched a season-high eight receptions and converted those into a career-high 152 yards. To add to his great day he caught three touchdowns – also a career-high.

Ellingson caught two touchdowns in the first half of the game from 31 and three yards out and then his final touchdown halfway through the third quarter from 14 yards out.

During his best season in the CFL, Ellignson was a part of an Ottawa team that featured four 1,000+ yard receivers. He finished his campaign with 69 receptions, 1,071 yards and nine touchdowns.

This is Ellingson’s first Shaw CFL Top Performer nod of the season.