Championships Vanier Cup

Men’s Football

Nyhus, Poirier and Blanchard named U SPORTS Football Players of the Week

U SPORTS Staff

RICHMOND HILL, Ont. (Nov. 2, 2022) – Saskatchewan quarterback Mason Nyhus and Laval’s Alec Poirier and Vincent Blanchard have been named the U SPORTS Football Players of the Week for the period ending November 20, 2022.

Offensive Player of the Week – Mason Nyhus, Saskatchewan

Mason_Nyhus_DE1_7589.jpg (5.76 MB)

  • Position: Quarterback

  • Hometown: Regina, Sask.
  • Year of eligibility: 5th
  • Academic program: Education

Mason Nyhus led the Saskatchewan Huskies to their second straight Vanier Cup berth as he led his squad to a 36-19 win in Saturday’s Uteck Bowl. The veteran quarterback completed 30 of 38 passes for 327 yards, including a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns that broke the game open for Saskatchewan and was named the offensive player of the game.

The Huskies take on the Laval Rouge et Or in Saturday’s Vanier Cup.

Defensive Player of the Week – Alec Poirier, Laval

Alec_Poirier_-_credit_Mathieu_Belanger_(27).jpg (17.24 MB)

  • Position: Linebacker

  • Hometown: Blainville, Que.
  • Year of eligibility: 4th
  • Academic program: Multidisciplinary B.A.

Alec Poirier led the Laval defence as they overcame a 17-0 first-quarter deficit to upset the host Western Mustangs and advance to Saturday’s Vanier Cup. The former Champlain Cougar and two-time RSEQ All-Star led all players with 12 tackles, seven solo and 10 assisted, as the Rouge et Or shut down the high-powered Mustang offence, holding them to a solitary field goal in the second half.

Laval will face Saskatchewan in Saturday’s Vanier Cup

Special Teams Player of the Week – Vincent Blanchard, Laval

Vincent_Blanchard_-_credit_Mathieu_Belanger_(36).jpg (12.54 MB)

  • Position: Kicker
  • Hometown: Quebec City, Que.
  • Year of eligibility: 3rd
  • Academic program: Urban Planning (cert.)

 Laval kicker Vincent Blanchard was a key factor in the Rouge et Or’s comeback over Western on Saturday. The 24-year-old made four of his five field goal attempts, hitting from 26, 15, 9 and 28 yards. Altogether, including two converts and a single, he accounted for 15 of Laval’s 24 points on the day. He also made a key pass completion on a fake field goal early in the third quarter that set up Laval’s first touchdown of the game.

Laval will face Saskatchewan in Saturday’s Vanier Cup.