Vanier Cup
U SPORTS rankings: October 25
TORONTO — UBC running back Isaiah Knight, StFX defensive lineman Zechariah Willems, and Concordia return specialist Santino Sparagna have been named the U SPORTS football players of the week for the period ending October 23, 2022.
Offensive Player of the Week: Isaiah Knight, UBC Thunderbirds
- Position: Running Back
- Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
- Year: 2nd
- Program: Arts
Second-year running back Isaiah Knight exploded for 151 rushing yards on 17 carries and 81 receiving yards on three receptions to go along with three touchdowns in the UBC Thunderbirds' 35-29 upset of the Saskatchewan Huskies.
Knight struck with a 45-yard reception to open the scoring in the first quarter before ripping off another 33-yard catch to the house.
Knight would strike for his third touchdown of the first half with a 45-yard rush where he slipped down the sideline, outpacing his defenders.
Knight's speed and grit helped the T-Birds to their fourth win of the season, doing it in dramatic style over the league-leading Huskies.
Defensive Player of the Week: Zechariah Willems, StFX
- Position: Defensive Lineman
- Hometown: Tiny, Ont.
- Year: 2nd
- Program: Bachelor of Arts
STFX X-Men defensive lineman, Zechariah Willems, had five solo tackles in the X-Men's 52-4 win over Saint Mary's on Saturday.
The second-year arts student from Tiny, Ont. also came up big with three sacks for a total loss of 21 yards.
Willems has 23.5 tackles on the season, including 18 solo tackles; he is second overall in the AUS in sacks, with six.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Santino Sparagna, Concordia
- Position: Return Specialist
- Hometown: Montréal, Que.
- Year: 2nd
- Program: Recreation and Leisure
Second-year return specialist Santino Sparagna had 187 yards on punt and kickoff returns in Concordia's 37-30 overtime win over McGill Redbirds on Friday night. The win clinches a playoff berth for the Stingers.
The recreation and leisure student helped the stingers secure the Shaughnessy Cup victory by returning eight punts for 62 yards and four kickoffs for 125 yards, including one for 52 yards.
Sparagna also chipped in on offence with three receptions for 32 yards in the victory. The versatile playmaker leads the Stingers with 137.5 all-purpose yards per game.