SHAW CFL TOP PERFORMERS – WEEK 2

WR | DIONTAE SPENCER | OTTAWA REDBLACKS

Diontae Spencer scored two touchdowns and racked up 351 all-purpose yards for the Ottawa REDBLACKS in a last-minute loss to the Calgary Stampeders in the second half of a home-and-away series on Thursday night at McMahon Stadium.

Spencer collected 107 yards in only three receptions to keep Ottawa close in a tightly-fought battle, contributing 244 return yards against Calgary. He jumped in on the very first play of the game, returning a Rene Paredes kickoff 18 yards and bringing back a second Paredes kickoff later in the quarter for 34 yards. Spencer contributed to a driving play with an eight-yard pass from quarterback Trevor Harris to end the first quarter.

The McNeese State alum continued his kickoff-return string in the second quarter with one for 22 yards before making his big play of the game, returning a Rob Maver punt 96 yards to the house for a touchdown to tie the score after the convert. He made another huge play at the end of the game with a 65-yard catch for a touchdown to bring the REDBLACKS back within striking distance.

The New Iberia, Louisiana native now has four career 100+ receiving yard games in his career and has 115 yards and six receptions so far in 2017. On Thursday the REDBLACKS became the second team of the 2017 season to feature three 100-yard receivers so far, with Spencer (115) achieving the feat alongside teammates Greg Ellingson (133) and Brad Sinopoli (111).

QB | TREVOR HARRIS | OTTAWA REDBLACKS

Ottawa REDBLACKS starting quarterback Trevor Harris collected 425 yards on his way to a Week 2 loss to the Calgary Stampeders on Thursday at Calgary.

The Waldo, Ohio native completed 77% of his pass attempts (27 for 35) and two touchdown passes.

The former Edinboro Fighting Scot threw his first touchdown of the game at the close of the third quarter. A four-play drive by Harris, Patrick Lavoie, and Diontae Spencer culminated in a 34-yard toss to receiver Brad Sinopoli to bring the REDBLACKS within three points of the Stampeders after the convert.

After a Calgary punt return touchdown to open the fourth quarter, Harris regrouped quickly, setting up Mossis Madu Jr. for a 14-yard sprint for a touchdown to keep Ottawa in the game. Harris wasted no time making up the difference on the following play with a 65-yard pass to Spencer for another touchdown.

Through two weeks Harris is second in the league with 725 passing yards and tied for first with five touchdown passes.

WR | WESTON DRESSLER | WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

Weston Dressler scored two touchdowns to help the Winnipeg Blue Bombers play spoiler in the Canada Day grand opening of the new Mosaic Stadium against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Dressler collected 124 receiving yards on six receptions in the 43-40 contest to open his tenth season in the CFL. An additional 22 rushing yards made him a key part of the Bombers’ offence in their first game of 2017.

With the Bombers trailing entering the second half, Dressler helped tip the scales, hooking up with quarterback Matt Nichols on an 87-yard strike for a touchdown to put Winnipeg ahead 20-17 after the successful convert. The reception marked the longest catch in his career.

The Bismarck, North Dakota native continued to punish his former team by converting on a red zone opportunity on the following kickoff after a Saskatchewan fumble. A nine-yard pass from Nichols to Dressler gave Winnipeg two touchdowns in 37 seconds.

Later in the game, the North Dakota alum rushed for a 22-yard gain to help Nichols and the offence get close enough to snag another touchdown. Dressler is on pace for his sixth season of reaching over 1000 receiving yards.

SHAW FANS’ CHOICE OF THE WEEK!

Ricky Ray won Week 1 of Shaw Fans’ Choice of the Week and collected 10 bonus points.

SHAW CFL TOP PERFORMERS LEADERBOARD

2017 SHAW CFL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK