Toronto - Kyle Quinlan, a fifth-year quarterback from McMaster University, was named CIS football player of the year, on Thursday night.

The native of South Woodslee, Ont., became the fifth member of the Marauders program to claim the Hec Crighton Trophy since the inception of the award in 1967. He joins running back Jesse Lumsden (2004), quarterback Ben Chapdelaine (2001), running back Kojo Aidoo (2000) and pivot Phil Scarfone (1984).

Other CIS award winners announced during the Gibson’s Finest CFL Player Awards at Koerner Hall were Laval linebacker Frédéric Plesius, who captured the Presidents’ Trophy as defensive player of the year; McMaster defensive end Ben D’Aguilar, who merited the J.P. Metras Trophy as most outstanding down lineman; and McGill wide receiver Shaquille Johnson, who received the Peter Gorman Trophy as the nation’s top rookie.

The CIS recipients were honoured alongside the CFL best for the second straight year as part of the 48th Vanier Cup and 100th Grey Cup festivities.

The Vanier Cup final between Laval and McMaster is set for Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Rogers Centre, live on TSN and RDS. Pre-game coverage on TSN starts at 7 p.m.

As a prelude to the big showdown, TSN also airs a documentary on Thursday evening at 7:30, entitled “Best Game... Ever: The 47th Vanier Cup”, which takes a look back at the memorable 2011 CIS final, which also featured McMaster and Laval.

For more information, visit: www.vaniercup.ca or www.cis-sic.ca.


HEC CRIGHTON TROPHY – Kyle Quinlan (McMaster)

A year after a memorable national championship run that saw him claim MVP honours at the Yates Cup, Uteck Bowl and Vanier Cup, Quinlan had a fifth and final campaign for the ages with the Marauders.

In eight regular season games, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound senior led the country with 19 touchdown passes against only two interceptions, a CIS-low among starting pivots. He ranked second in the nation in passing yards per game (307.1), third in passing yards (2,407) and second in completion percentage, with a new single-season OUA record of 68.9. The ultimate dual threat, the economics student also led all CIS quarterbacks with seven rushing majors and tied for the CIS lead among signal callers with 550 yards on the ground. In the process, he set team records for most completions (162), passing yards and TD passes in a single campaign.

Selected to the second all-Canadian unit a year ago, Quinlan is named to the first CIS dream team for the first time in his brilliant career. His sensational play this fall helped the top-ranked Marauders to their first 8-0 regular season since 2003. Last summer, he was invited to the Montreal Alouettes’ training camp, a year after his first CFL experience with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

“I think Kyle may be the best CIS player ever. He is just such a big game player and always has been. The bigger the game, the better he plays,” said McMaster head coach Stefan Ptaszek. “He is also a great leader and that is just as important a part of him as his physical abilities. Athletes like Kyle Quinlan don’t come along very often.”

Other nominees:

AUS: Kyle Graves, Acadia (quarterback)
RSEQ: Rotrand Sené, Montreal (running back)
CWUAA: Eric Dzwilewski, Calgary (quarterback)

PRESIDENTS’ TROPHY – Frédéric Plesius (Laval)

Plesius, who hails from Laval, Que., becomes the first Rouge et Or player to capture the Presidents’ Trophy. He was also the RSEQ nominee in 2010.

In his fourth campaign with the Quebec City powerhouse, the 6-foot-1, 245-pound senior finished the regular season with a team-high 34.5 tackles, including 27 solo, despite missing one conference match. He also had two quarterback sacks and two pass breakups in league play. His contribution went well beyond his individual statistics as he helped the Laval defence rank first in the country against the run (57.8 yards per game), second in least points allowed (12.7) and third in total yards against (298.2).

The science student, who started his university career with the Baylor Bears of the NCAA before transferring to Laval, was selected in the second round – 10th overall – by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in last spring’s CFL Canadian Draft. He was invited to a mini camp of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles last May.

“Frédéric is an athlete who loves to win and is gifted with exceptional physical attributes,” said Laval head coach Glen Constantin. “He is quick and athletic, which makes him a constant threat for opposing offences. Every time he is on the field, he can make a game-changing play.”

Other nominees

AUS: Brett Hubbeard, StFX (linebacker)
OUA: Aram Eisho, McMaster (linebacker)
CWUAA: Mike Edem, Calgary (linebacker)


J.P. METRAS TROPHY – Ben D’Aguilar (McMaster)

D’Aguilar, a native of Hamilton, is the first-ever McMaster recipient of the J.P. Metras Trophy.

The 6-foot-2, 240-pound senior terrorized quarterbacks the entire season, registering at least one sack in seven of eight league games on his way to setting a single-season CIS record with 12.5. The previous national mark of 12 had been set back in 1988 by Leroy Blugh of Bishop’s and tied in 1996 by Queen’s Jim Aru. The philosophy student also amassed 28 tackles, including 27 solo, forced a fumble and had a pass breakup in conference play to help the Marauders post the best defensive record in the OUA and the fourth best in the country (15.6 points per game).

One of the top prospects for the 2013 CFL Canadian Draft, D’Aguilar was ranked 10th on the initial list of the league’s Scouting Bureau in September. At the 2012 CIS East West Bowl, he tallied a team-best six solo tackles and one sack for the West squad.

“Ben is a fantastic athlete and has only scratched the surface of his potential,” Stefan Ptaszek said. “His ability to make things happen on the football field has been a great weapon for our defence and I think he has his best football in front of him. We are very proud of his efforts in Maroon.”

Other nominees:

AUS: Rob Jubenville, Saint Mary’s (defensive end)
RSEQ: Jean-Samuel Blanc, Montreal (defensive end)
CWUAA: Brett Jones, Regina (guard)


PETER GORMAN TROPHY – Shaquille Johnson (McGill)

Johnson becomes the second McGill player to win the Peter Gorman Trophy, a feat previously accomplished by Michael Soles (1986), who went on to a long CFL career with Edmonton and Montreal.

The 19-year-old management freshman from Brampton, Ont., is a 5-foot-11, 185-pound wide-out who led the RSEQ league in both receptions (61) and receiving yardage (792), achieving the fourth-highest single-season catch total in Quebec university history. His 61 receptions are a new CIS record for a rookie, eclipsing the previous mark of 57, set in 2002 by Western’s Andy Fantuz, a former Hec Crighton Trophy recipient and current CFL star.

Johnson, who also snared five touchdown receptions in conference play, was voted to the RSEQ all-star team and was the only freshman to merit all-Canadian status (second team). He ranked third in the nation in receptions, fourth in yards and ninth in yards per game (88.0). In the final week of the regular season, he tied a single-game league record with 18 receptions against Sherbrooke, equaling the mark held by former McGill star Charles-Antoine Sinotte (2007) and falling one short of the CIS national record (Andre Talbot, Laurier, 2000).

“As a person, Shaq is quiet, modest, and humble,” said McGill head coach Clint Uttley. “As a football player, he has a natural feel for the game. He’s extremely athletic and smooth. He’s not a sprinter, but more like a glider. His biggest asset is an ability to adjust to the ball when it is in the air and simply go up and get it.”

Other nominees:

AUS: Thomas Troop, Acadia (running back)
OUA: Yannick Harou, Western (running back)
CWUAA: Brett Blaszko, Calgary (receiver)


ALL-TIME MAJOR AWARD WINNERS

HEC CRIGHTON TROPHY (Outstanding Player)

2012    Kyle Quinlan, McMaster, QB
2011    Billy Greene, UBC, QB
2010    Brad Sinopoli, Ottawa, QB
2009    Erik Glavic, Calgary, QB
2008    Benoît Groulx, Laval, QB
2007    Erik Glavic, Saint Mary’s, QB
2006    Daryl Stephenson, Windsor, RB
2005    Andy Fantuz, Western Ontario, REC
2004    Jesse Lumsden, McMaster, RB
2003    Tommy Denison, Queen's, QB
2002    Tommy Denison, Queen's, QB
2001    Ben Chapdelaine, McMaster, QB
2000    Kojo Aidoo, McMaster, RB
1999    Phil Côté, Ottawa, QB
1998    Éric Lapointe, Mount Allison, RB
1997    Mark Nohra, UBC, RB
1996    Éric Lapointe, Mount Allison, RB
1995    Don Blair, Calgary, REC
1994    Bill Kubas, Wilfrid Laurier, QB
1993    Tim Tindale, Western, FB
1992    Eugene Buccigrossi, Toronto, QB
1991    Tim Tindale, Western, FB
1990    Chris Flynn, Saint Mary's, QB
1989    Chris Flynn, Saint Mary's, QB
1988    Chris Flynn, Saint Mary's, QB
1987    Jordan Gagner, UBC, QB
1986    Blake Marshall, Western, RB
1985    Larry Mohr, Queen's, RB
1984    Phil Scarfone, McMaster, QB
1983    Greg Vavra, Calgary, QB
1982    Rick Zmich, Ottawa, QB
1981    Dan Feraday, Toronto, QB
1980    Greg Marshall, Western, RB
1979    Scott Mallender, Windsor, QB
1978    Jamie Bone, Western, QB
1977    Bob Cameron, Acadia, QB/K
1976    Bob Stracina, Acadia, REC/K
1975    Brian Fryer, Alberta, REC
1974    Al Charuk, Acadia, FS
1973    Dave Pickett, Saskatchewan, QB
1972    Andrew Parici, Windsor, QB
1971    Mel Smith, Alberta, REC
1970    Paul Paddon, Ottawa, QB
1969    Dave Fleiszer, McGill, FB
1968    Mike Raham, Toronto, RB
1967    Mike Eben, Toronto REC

PRESIDENTS’ TROPHY (Outstanding Defensive Player)

2012    Frédéric Plesius, Laval
2011    Max Caron, Concordia
2010    Henoc Muamba, StFX
2009    Cory Greenwood, Concordia
2008    Thaine Carter, Queen’s
2007    Mat Nesbitt, Regina
2006    Patrick Donovan, Concordia
2005    Patrick Donovan, Concordia
2004    Mickey Donovan, Concordia
2003    Neil McKinlay, Simon Fraser
2002    Adam MacDonald, StFX
2001    David Stipe, Bishop's
2000    Joey Mikawoz, Manitoba
1999    Mike Letendre, Saskatchewan
1998    Warren Muzika, Saskatchewan
1997    Jason Van Geel, Waterloo
1996    Derek Krete, Western
1995    Paul Frlan, StFX
1994    Cory Delaney, Waterloo
1993    Lou Tiro, Toronto
1992    Alex Eliopoulos, Saint Mary's
1991    Ray Bernard, Bishop's
1990    Randy Power, Mount Allison
1989    Mark Singer, Alberta
1988    Leroy Blugh, Bishop's
1987    Brent Lewis, Western
1986    Mark Norman, UBC
1985    Darcy Kopp, Calgary
1984    Larry Oglesby, Mount Allison
1983    Tom Timlin, Carleton
1982    Mike Emery, UBC
1981    Mike Emery, UBC
1980    Rich Payne, Wilfrid Laurier

J.P. METRAS TROPHY (Outstanding Down Lineman)

2012    Ben D’Aguilar, McMaster
2011    Arnaud Gascon-Nadon, Laval
2010    Arnaud Gascon-Nadon, Laval
2009    Matt Morencie, Windsor
2008    Étienne Légaré, Laval
2007    Scott Evans, Wilfrid Laurier
2006    Chris Best, Waterloo
2005    Dominic Picard, Laval
2004    Troy Cunningham, Concordia
2003    Ibrahim Khan, Simon Fraser
2002    Israel Idonije, Manitoba
2001    Carl Gourgues, Laval
2000    Randy Chevrier, McGill
1999    Tyson St. James, UBC
1998    Garret Everson, Calgary
1997    Mike Kushnir, StFX
1996    James Repesse, Saskatchewan
1995    Harry Van Hofwegen, Carleton
1994    Paul Connery, Bishop's
1993    Paul Chesser, Concordia
1992    Chris Konrad, Calgary
1991    Jason Rauhaus, Manitoba
1990    Chris Morris, Toronto
1989    Chris Gioskos, Ottawa
1988    Veron Stiliadis, Wilfrid Laurier
1987    Pierre Vercheval, Western
1986    Louie Godry, Guelph
1985    Mike Schad, Queen's
1984    Boyd Young, Ottawa
1983    Jim DeSilva, Carleton
1982    Peter Langford, Guelph
1981    Tony Grassa, StFX
1980    Scott McArthur, Calgary
1979    Jim Muller, Queen's
1978    Dave Willox, Alberta
1977    Dick Bakker, Queen's
1976    Gerry Inglis, Alberta
1975    Mark Pothier, Saint Mary's
1974    Bart Evans, Manitoba

PETER GORMAN TROPHY (Rookie of the Year)

2012    Shaquille Johnson, McGill
2011    Tyler Varga, Western Ontario
2010    Eric Dzwilewski, Calgary
2009    Linden Gaydosh, Calgary
2008    Jordan Verdone, Waterloo
2007    Liam Mahoney, Concordia
2006    Dalin Tollestrup, Calgary
2005    Martin Gagné, Montréal
2004    Kyle Williams, Bishop's
2003    Maxime Gagnier, Montréal
2002    Andy Fantuz, Western
2001    Jeremy Steeves, StFX
2000    Jean-Frédéric Tremblay, Laval
1999    Sébastien Roy, Mount Allison
1998    Kojo Aidoo, McMaster
1997    Paul Carty, StFX
1996    Jeff Johnson, York
1995    Éric Lapointe, Mount Allison
1994    Andre Arlain, StFX
1993    Jerome Pathon, Acadia
1992    Sean Reade, Western
1991    Dominic Zagari, Manitoba
1990    Bill Kubas, Wilfrid Laurier
1989    Chris Banton, Ottawa
1988    Grant Keaney, Mount Allison
1987    Dan Farthing, Saskatchewan
1986    Michael Soles, McGill
1985    Mark Brown, Carleton
1984    Jeff Funtasz, Alberta
1983    Paul Nastasiuk, Wilfrid Laurier
1982    Mike Fabilli, Ottawa
1981    Glenn Steele, UBC
1980    John Hutchinson, Mount Allison
1979    Joey Tynes, StFX
1978    John Lowe, Guelph
1977    Gord Goodwin, Calgary
1976    Jim Reid, Wilfrid Laurier