Vanier Cup
Football: U SPORTS announces its weekly rankings
Alberta quarterback Eli Hetlinger, Montréal linebacker Nicky Farinaccio, and UBC kicker Keiran Flannery-Fleck are the U SPORTS football players of the week for the period ending September 4, 2023.
Offensive Player of the Week: Eli Hetlinger, Alberta
- Position: Quarterback
- Hometown: Edmonton, Alta.
- Year: 2nd
- Program: Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation
Alberta quarterback Eli Hetlinger had an impressive start to his sophomore season, leading the Golden Bears to a commanding 33-9 win over rival Calgary on Friday night. Hetlinger completed 21 of 31 attempts for 380 yards through the air. Two of those were touchdown connections with Carter Kettyle, coming off screen passes that resulted in 70 and 71-yard touchdowns.
A healthy Hetlinger will be key to success for Alberta, as they look to return to the Canada West playoffs after a fifth-place finish last season.
Other Nominees:
- AUS: Malcolm Bussey, STFX
- RSEQ: Jonathan Sénécal, Montreal
- OUA: Mohsen Jamal, Western
Defensive Player of the Week: Nicky Farinaccio, Montreal
- Position: Linebacker
- Hometown: Montreal
- Year: 3rd
- Program: Criminology
Nicky Farinaccio had a strong game to lead the No. 4-ranked Carabins to a 43-12 road win over the Concordia Stingers on Friday night. The defending Presidents’ Trophy winner led his team to their second victory of the year with nine tackles, including eight solos, and added a quarterback sack, another tackle for loss and forced a fumble.
Other Nominees:
- AUS : Gabriel Royer, Bishop’s
- OUA: Ethan Gregorcic, Laurier
- CW: Sebastien Reid, Manitoba
Special Teams Player of the Week: Keiran Flannery-Fleck, UBC
- Position: Kicker/Punter
- Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
- Year: 3rd
- Program: Arts
Kieran Flannery-Fleck started his season on a perfect note, playing an integral role in UBC’s season opening 25-10 triumph over the Regina Rams. The third-year kicker went six-for-six on field goals, just one shy of a single game Canada West record and tying him for 10th all-time in U SPORTS history. In a tight defensive battle, it was Flannery-Fleck’s accuracy that proved to be the difference. Four of his six field goals were hit from 30 yards out or beyond, including his longest drive from 38 yards.
He also averaged 38 yards on six punts, with a net average of 31.7, and dropped two inside the Regina 20.
Other nominees:
- AUS: Ben Harrington, STFX
- RSEQ : Brandon Ciccarello, McGill
- OUA: Alfred Olay, York