CFL Canadian Football League

Gibson's Finest CFL Players of the Week Named

Published on July 6, 2010 under Canadian Football League (CFL) News Release


Toronto, ON - (July 6, 2010) - Darian Durant, Joe Lobendahn, Marcus Thigpen and Andy Fantuz were named the Gibson's Finest CFL Players of the Week for week one, the Canadian Football League announced today.

The four players were chosen by a panel of judges that includes former Canadian Football League players Matt Dunigan and Duane Forde, now of TSN, and Pierre Vercheval of RDS.

Gibson's Finest CFL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

QB - Darian Durant - Saskatchewan Roughriders

Montreal Alouettes 51 @ Saskatchewan Roughriders 54 (2OT)

Highlights / Key Stats:

In what has already been dubbed an 'instant classic' and one of the best games in CFL history, Saskatchewan quarterback Darian Durant delivered the strongest performance of his career. Durant posted career highs of 478 passing yards and five touchdowns to ignite the Roughriders offence en route to a 54-51 double overtime victory against the Alouettes. After overcoming a 21-point deficit late in the third quarter, Durant capped off his heroic efforts with a three-yard touchdown pass to slotback Weston Dressler on the game-winning drive. The win exacted some revenge on Montreal who had defeated the Riders in last year's Grey Cup.

Durant also ran for 52 yards on five carries and added one rushing touchdown.

*Unanimous Selection

Gibson's Finest CFL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

LB - Joe Lobendahn- Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Hamilton Tiger-Cats 29 @ Winnipeg Blue Bombers 49

Highlights / Key Stats:

Joe Lobendahn came up big for the Blue Bombers defence this week, recording two quarterback sacks. The Winnipeg linebacker racked up a total of eight tackles in helping the Bombers earn a 49-29 victory over the visiting Ticats.

Runner Up DB - Korey Banks - BC Lions

Gibson's Finest CFL SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

KR - Marcus Thigpen - Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Hamilton Tiger-Cats 29 @ Winnipeg Blue Bombers 49

Highlights / Key Stats:

In a week that featured not one but two missed field goal returns for touchdowns, Hamilton kick returner Marcus Thigpen gets the nod as Gibson's Finest CFL Special Teams Player of the Week. In addition to his 118-yard missed field goal touchdown return, Thigpen took the opening kickoff 93 yards to open up the scoring against the Blue Bombers. The Tiger-Cats return specialist tallied a combined total of 340 return yards with six kickoffs for 158 yards and one touchdown, as well as, two missed field goal returns for 155 yards and one touchdown.

Thigpen also returned four punts for 27 yards in the Ticats losing effort.

*Unanimous Selection

Gibson's Finest CFL CANADIAN PLAYER OF THE WEEK

SB - Andy Fantuz - Saskatchewan Roughriders

Montreal Alouettes 51 @ Saskatchewan Roughriders 54 (2OT)

Highlights / Key Stats:

Slotback Andy Fantuz played a prominent role in the Roughriders 54-51 triumph over the Alouettes this week. The Chatham, Ontario native led the way for the Saskatchewan offence with two touchdown receptions and contributed 77 yards on eight catches in the epic double overtime battle. Fantuz is currently in his fifth CFL season, all as a member of the Roughriders.

Runner Up WR - Rob Bagg - Saskatchewan Roughriders




Canadian Football League Stories from July 6, 2010


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