ADARIUS BOWMAN LEADS ALL RECEIVERS IN 2016
Four REDBLACKS make CFL history by surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for second straight year
For the third straight year, Edmonton Eskimos receiver Adarius Bowman surpassed the 1,000-yard mark. The nine-year veteran led the league in two of three receiving categories this season, with 1,761 total receiving yards and 120 receptions. Despite not playing in Edmonton’s final game of the season, Bowman’s 120 receptions is still the fifth-highest in league history. This was a banner year for Bowman who had career highs in both categories and added nine touchdowns, another personal best in his nine CFL seasons.
Derel Walker, another Edmonton receiver, finished second among all receivers with 1,589 total receiving yards this season. In only his second year in the league, Walker recorded 10 touchdowns for an impressive total of 16 touchdowns in 30 games played since 2015.
BC Lion Emmanuel Arceneaux recorded his best stats in six CFL seasons this past year. Arceneaux collected 13 touchdowns, 1,566 total receiving yards and 105 receptions – good for first, third and third respectively among all CFL players this season. This was the third time Arceneaux surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in his career and the first time he recorded more than 10 touchdowns in a single season.
Ottawa’s Fab Four made CFL history this past season, being the only four players to each surpass 1,000 receiving yards for the same team in two consecutive seasons. Greg Ellingson (1,260), Chris Williams (1,246), Ernest Jackson (1,225) and Brad Sinopoli (1,036) were all among the 15 CFL players to reach 1,000 yards. All four REDBLACKS players combined for a total of 28 touchdowns. Jackson is Ottawa’s nominee for Most Outstanding Player and Sinopoli is their nominee for the league’s Most Outstanding Canadian – an honour he won in 2015.
This is the fifth time in CFL history 15 or more players have reached the 1,000-yard club.
Shaw CFL Award nominees will be announced this Thursday November 10th and league winners will be awarded their hardware at the Shaw CFL Awards on November 24th at the Art Gallery of Ontario.
The 104th Grey Cup Playoffs begin this Sunday November 13th, with the Edmonton Eskimos crossing over to the East to take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Eastern Semi-Final. This is the eight time a Western team has crossed over to the East for a playoff match. None have made it to the Grey Cup.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will travel to Vancouver to clash with the BC Lions in the Western Semi-Final. This will be the first time in 30 years the Lions will host a home semi-final game, and the first time since 2002 that the Blue Bombers and the Lions will meet in the Grey Cup playoffs.
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