SHAW CFL TOP PERFORMERS OF WEEK 2

TORONTO – Rakeem Cato, Ryan Smith and Trevor Harris were named the Shaw CFL Top Performers of the Week after an exciting Week 2 of the CFL’s 2015 season.

The three players were chosen by a panel of judges including former Canadian Football League players Matt Dunigan and Duane Forde of TSN and Pierre Vercheval of RDS.

QB | Rakeem Cato | Montreal Alouettes 

 

Making his first career start in the CFL, Rakeem Cato did not disappoint in a game against the 2014 Grey Cup Champions, the Calgary Stampeders. Cato seized his chance and led the Alouettes to their first victory of the season, with a 29-11 win over the visiting Stampeders.

In his opening offensive series, Cato orchestrated an impressive drive, where he went a perfect 5-for-5 through the air for 72 yards that was capped off with a six-yard roll out touchdown pass to Samuel Giguere to give the Alouettes an early 6-0 lead.

The Miami, Florida native continued to shine throughout the game. Cato threw a trio of touchdowns to three different receivers including a six-yard pass to both Giguere and Nik Lewis, and a 15-yard toss to Cody Hoffman.

The former Marshall Thundering Herd player owns several school passing records including passing yards, touchdowns and completions. 

WR | Ryan Smith | Saskatchewan Roughriders
 

Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Ryan Smith had a career day against the Toronto Argonauts in a thrilling double overtime game that saw the Argonauts squeak by with a 42-40 victory in Regina.

Smith recorded a career-high eight receptions for a career-high 174 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown just before the half to give the Riders the lead. Smith now leads the Riders with two touchdown receptions on the season.

The Wahpeton, North Dakota native’s most dramatic reception came in the fourth quarter where Smith jumped and made an acrobatic catch for the 41-yard gain, impressing fans and fellow players alike.

Smith also recorded four catches over 20 yards and added a six-yard rush.

Smith, a former North Dakota State Bison, currently leads the CFL with 251 receiving yards on 11 receptions (22.8 yards per catch) so far this season.

QB | Trevor Harris | Toronto Argonauts 
 
After being named a Shaw CFL Top Performer in the opening week, Trevor Harris stepped up for the Argonauts once more and continued his hot start en route to being named a Top Performer in Week 2.

Harris threw for 267 yards and completed 30-for-38 passes (72.8 per cent) including four touchdown passes in the Argonauts thrilling 42-40 comeback victory in Regina on Sunday.

With the Argonauts behind by a touchdown late the fourth quarter, Harris led the boatmen down the field and found Chad Owens for a 16-yard major with only six seconds left to force overtime.

Early in the second quarter, Harris found Kevin Elliot for a three yard major. He also completed a nine-yard touchdown to Brandon Whitaker and a touchdown to Tori Gurley from 11 yards out in overtime.

The Waldo, Ohio native leads the CFL in touchdown passes (7) and completions (54). He is currently only 21 yards behind Zach Collaros in total passing yards.

Harris, a former Edinboro University Fighting Scot, holds several major career team records including passing yards (11,899 yards), completions (966) and touchdowns (100).

With a first place showing and his third place showing in Week 2, Harris is the current leader in the Shaw CFL Top Performers leaderboard with 125 points. 

 

Shaw Fans' Choice of the Week!
 

Drew Willy won Week 1 of Shaw Fans' Choice of the Week and collected 10 bonus points.

 

 2015 Shaw CFL Top Performers of the Week Points Leaderboard

Rank	Player	2015 Points Total	Points Breakdown
			1st place points	2nd place points	3rd place points	Fan vote points
1	Trevor Harris	125	100	-	25	-
2	Rakeem Cato	100	100	-	-
T-3	Jeff Fuller	50	-	50	-	-
T-3	Ryan Smith	50	-	50	-	-
5	Drew Willy	35	-	-	25	10

 

2015 Shaw CFL Top Performers of the Week

Week	1st	2nd	3rd
1	Trevor Harris (TOR)	Jeff Fuller (CGY)	Drew Willy (WPG)*
2	Rakeem Cato (MTL)	Ryan Smith (SSK)	Trevor Harris (TOR)

* Indicates Shaw Fan's Choice of the Week recipient.