September 5, 2007
GEE-GEES REMAIN NO.3, WHILE WINDSOR RISES TO NO.9
OTTAWA (CIS) - For the second time in as many weeks, the reigning Vanier Cup champion Laval Rouge et Or are a unanimous choice at the top of the CIS football national rankings.
Laval, which received all 15 first-place votes in the national media poll, opens its title defence on Saturday at Sherbrooke against the Vert & Or (4 p.m.), a team the Rouge et Or have yet to lose to in five lifetime meetings.
No. 2 Saskatchewan (1-0), No. 3 Ottawa (1-0) and No. 4 Manitoba (1-0), all of whom were victorious in their 2007 debut this past week, stay put in the rankings behind the national champions. Montreal and Concordia, who like Laval kick off their season this week, also maintain their positions at No. 5 and No. 6.
No. 7 Laurier (1-0), moving up one position following a 36-26 victory over nationally-ranked McMaster, No. 8 Saint Mary's, up two spots before its season debut against StFX, No. 9 Windsor (1-0), new to the CIS poll following a 59-0 drubbing of York, and McMaster (0-1), down one place, round out the new Top 10.
No. 1 Laval Rouge et Or (0-0)
Last week's rankings: No. 1
Last week's result: did not play
This week: open season at Sherbrooke on Saturday (0-0)
The Rouge et Or have won eight of their last nine season openers, their lone setback over that period being a 20-8 home loss to Concordia in 2001"¦ Laval has outscored Sherbrooke 284-36 in five lifetime meetings - all wins - with the Vert & Or, the last team to join the Quebec conference in 2003"¦ The Rouge et Or won last year's lone duel 38-6 at Sherbrooke"¦ The reigning Vanier Cup champs finished second in the country to Ottawa a year ago for fewest points allowed (100 to 97), after leading the nation in that department three straight seasons from 2003-2005"¦
No. 2 Saskatchewan Huskies (1-0)
Last week's rankings: No. 2
Last week's result: 45-14 home win over Alberta (0-1)
This week: visit Calgary (1-0) on Saturday
The Huskies were dominant in their home opener against Alberta, sophomore quarterback Bret Thompson leading the way with a career-high 358 yards passing and two touchdowns"¦ Saskatchewan is riding a five-game win streak against Calgary, outscoring its rival 215-39 over the five meetings"¦ The Dinos last defeated the Huskies 15-10 on Oct. 26, 2002"¦
No. 3 Ottawa Gee-Gees (1-0)
Last week's rankings: No. 3
Last week's result: 31-23 road win over Guelph (0-1)
This week: host Toronto (0-1) on Saturday
2006 Second-Team All-Canadian quarterback Josh Sacobie got off to a solid start in a 31-23 Gee-Gees win over Guelph on Labour Day Monday, completing 23 of 35 passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns"¦ Ottawa has outscored Toronto 294-44 in five straight head-to-head wins since coming back to the OUA in 2001, including a 59-23 victory last fall"¦ The Varsity Blues have dropped their last 42 contests dating back to a 13-11 win over Windsor on Oct. 13, 2001"¦
No. 4 Manitoba Bisons (1-0)
Last week's rankings: No. 4
Last week's result: 36-13 road win over Regina (0-1)
This week: visit UBC (1-0) on Saturday
Kicker Scott Dixon had a dream afternoon in his university debut against Regina last Saturday, going 6-of-7 on field goal attempts to become the ninth player in CIS history to boot six field goals or more in a single game"¦ The Canada West single-game record of seven was set by Saskatchewan's Matt Kellett against Alberta on Nov. 2, 1996"¦ The Bisons have won their last 10 regular season games dating back to an 18-17 loss to Saskatchewan on Oct. 15, 2005"¦ Manitoba beat UBC 43-20 last fall and 35-6 in 2005, while the Thunderbirds prevailed in both head-to-head meetings in 2004"¦
No. 5 Montreal Carabins (0-0)
Last week's rankings: No. 5
Last week's result: did not play
This week: open season at McGill (0-0) on Thursday
A new era begins for the Carabins, who lost star running back Joseph Mroué, the Quebec conference career (3367) and single-season (1046) record holder for rushing yards"¦ Montreal has taken six straight from McGill since the Redmen defeated their cross-town rivals twice in the Carabins original season in 2002"¦ Montreal has dropped its last two season openers (both to Laval), while McGill has started 0-1 the past six years"¦
No. 6 Concordia Stingers (0-0)
Last week's rankings: No. 6
Last week's result: did not play
This week: open season at home vs. Bishop's (0-0) on Friday
The Stingers jumped out to a 5-0 start a year ago but could only muster two wins in their final five outings (including playoffs)"¦ Concordia is riding a seven-game win streak against Bishop's dating back to a 33-23 loss on Oct. 27, 2001"¦ Third-year junior Rob Mackay enters his first season as the Stingers starting pivot"¦
No. 7 Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (1-0)
Last week's rankings: No. 8
Last week's result: 36-26 win over McMaster (0-1)
This week: host No. 9 Windsor (1-0) on Saturday
Trailing 19-12 after three quarters in its season opener against McMaster on Monday, Laurier scored 17 points in a span of 2:32 early in the fourth en route to a 36-26 victory"¦ The Hawks, OUA finalists four years running, face their second Top Ten battle in as many weeks against No. 9 Windsor and reigning Hec Crighton Trophy winner, running back Daryl Stephenson"¦ Laurier dropped a 38-29 decision to the Lancers in the final game of the regular campaign in 2006 but did a good job containing Stephenson, who was held to 104 rushing yards and no touchdowns on 25 carries"¦
No. 8 Saint Mary's Huskies (0-0)
Last week's rankings: No. 10
Last week's result: did not play
This week: open season at StFX (0-0) on Saturday
The Huskies dropped their season opener 21-19 to StFX a year ago, the first of three straight SMU defeats at the start of the 2006 campaign"¦ Saint Mary's would avenge the early season loss to the X-Men by defeating their rivals 32-0 in the regular season finale and 24-6 in the first round of the AUFC playoffs"¦ Six-foot-six sophomore Eric Glavic was 3-0 as the Huskies starting quarterback last fall"¦
No. 9 Windsor Lancers (1-0)
Last week's rankings: not ranked
Last week's result: 59-0 home win over York (0-1)
This week: visit No. 7 Laurier (1-0) on Saturday
Reigning CIS player of the year Daryl Stephenson picked up where he left off a year ago on Monday as he rushed for 211 yards and two touchdowns in the Lancers 59-0 shutout of York"¦ Stephenson is now seventh on the CIS all-time rushing list with 3849 yards, 289 yards behind OUA career leader Jesse Lumsden of McMaster (4138) and 889 behind CIS record holder Dominic Zagari of Manitoba (4738)"¦ Fourth-year Windsor pivot Dan Lumley, who only attempted 13 passes Monday against York, had a career-high four touchdown passes in last year's 38-29 Lancers win over Laurier"¦
No. 10 McMaster Marauders (0-1)
Last week's rankings: No. 9
Last week's result: 36-26 road loss to No. 7 Laurier (1-0)
This week: host Western (0-1) on Saturday
Monday's 36-26 loss to Laurier was McMaster's first season-opening loss since a 37-29 defeat at the hands of Western in 1998"¦ The Marauders have not suffered back-to-back losses to begin the campaign since an 0-4 start in 1997"¦ McMaster has lost its last two duels against Western, 29-12 in 2006 and 55-31 in 2005"¦ Fifth-year quarterback Adam Archibald was stellar despite the loss to Laurier on Monday, completing 26 of 37 passes for 361 yards and two touchdowns"¦
CIS FOOTBALL TOP 10 (#2)
Voting is based on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 point system, with a first-place vote worth 10 points. The CIS Football Top Ten Committee is made up of 15 media members from across Canada. A total of 10 national rankings will be released for the 2007 season, with the final Top 10 being released once all teams have completed the regular season.
Other teams receiving votes: Western Ontario (11), Calgary (9), Queen's (9), Acadia (4), Guelph (1).
(Source: Michel Belanger, Canadian Interuniversity Sport)
Laval, which received all 15 first-place votes in the national media poll, opens its title defence on Saturday at Sherbrooke against the Vert & Or (4 p.m.), a team the Rouge et Or have yet to lose to in five lifetime meetings.
No. 2 Saskatchewan (1-0), No. 3 Ottawa (1-0) and No. 4 Manitoba (1-0), all of whom were victorious in their 2007 debut this past week, stay put in the rankings behind the national champions. Montreal and Concordia, who like Laval kick off their season this week, also maintain their positions at No. 5 and No. 6.
No. 7 Laurier (1-0), moving up one position following a 36-26 victory over nationally-ranked McMaster, No. 8 Saint Mary's, up two spots before its season debut against StFX, No. 9 Windsor (1-0), new to the CIS poll following a 59-0 drubbing of York, and McMaster (0-1), down one place, round out the new Top 10.
No. 1 Laval Rouge et Or (0-0)
Last week's rankings: No. 1
Last week's result: did not play
This week: open season at Sherbrooke on Saturday (0-0)
The Rouge et Or have won eight of their last nine season openers, their lone setback over that period being a 20-8 home loss to Concordia in 2001"¦ Laval has outscored Sherbrooke 284-36 in five lifetime meetings - all wins - with the Vert & Or, the last team to join the Quebec conference in 2003"¦ The Rouge et Or won last year's lone duel 38-6 at Sherbrooke"¦ The reigning Vanier Cup champs finished second in the country to Ottawa a year ago for fewest points allowed (100 to 97), after leading the nation in that department three straight seasons from 2003-2005"¦
No. 2 Saskatchewan Huskies (1-0)
Last week's rankings: No. 2
Last week's result: 45-14 home win over Alberta (0-1)
This week: visit Calgary (1-0) on Saturday
The Huskies were dominant in their home opener against Alberta, sophomore quarterback Bret Thompson leading the way with a career-high 358 yards passing and two touchdowns"¦ Saskatchewan is riding a five-game win streak against Calgary, outscoring its rival 215-39 over the five meetings"¦ The Dinos last defeated the Huskies 15-10 on Oct. 26, 2002"¦
No. 3 Ottawa Gee-Gees (1-0)
Last week's rankings: No. 3
Last week's result: 31-23 road win over Guelph (0-1)
This week: host Toronto (0-1) on Saturday
2006 Second-Team All-Canadian quarterback Josh Sacobie got off to a solid start in a 31-23 Gee-Gees win over Guelph on Labour Day Monday, completing 23 of 35 passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns"¦ Ottawa has outscored Toronto 294-44 in five straight head-to-head wins since coming back to the OUA in 2001, including a 59-23 victory last fall"¦ The Varsity Blues have dropped their last 42 contests dating back to a 13-11 win over Windsor on Oct. 13, 2001"¦
No. 4 Manitoba Bisons (1-0)
Last week's rankings: No. 4
Last week's result: 36-13 road win over Regina (0-1)
This week: visit UBC (1-0) on Saturday
Kicker Scott Dixon had a dream afternoon in his university debut against Regina last Saturday, going 6-of-7 on field goal attempts to become the ninth player in CIS history to boot six field goals or more in a single game"¦ The Canada West single-game record of seven was set by Saskatchewan's Matt Kellett against Alberta on Nov. 2, 1996"¦ The Bisons have won their last 10 regular season games dating back to an 18-17 loss to Saskatchewan on Oct. 15, 2005"¦ Manitoba beat UBC 43-20 last fall and 35-6 in 2005, while the Thunderbirds prevailed in both head-to-head meetings in 2004"¦
No. 5 Montreal Carabins (0-0)
Last week's rankings: No. 5
Last week's result: did not play
This week: open season at McGill (0-0) on Thursday
A new era begins for the Carabins, who lost star running back Joseph Mroué, the Quebec conference career (3367) and single-season (1046) record holder for rushing yards"¦ Montreal has taken six straight from McGill since the Redmen defeated their cross-town rivals twice in the Carabins original season in 2002"¦ Montreal has dropped its last two season openers (both to Laval), while McGill has started 0-1 the past six years"¦
No. 6 Concordia Stingers (0-0)
Last week's rankings: No. 6
Last week's result: did not play
This week: open season at home vs. Bishop's (0-0) on Friday
The Stingers jumped out to a 5-0 start a year ago but could only muster two wins in their final five outings (including playoffs)"¦ Concordia is riding a seven-game win streak against Bishop's dating back to a 33-23 loss on Oct. 27, 2001"¦ Third-year junior Rob Mackay enters his first season as the Stingers starting pivot"¦
No. 7 Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (1-0)
Last week's rankings: No. 8
Last week's result: 36-26 win over McMaster (0-1)
This week: host No. 9 Windsor (1-0) on Saturday
Trailing 19-12 after three quarters in its season opener against McMaster on Monday, Laurier scored 17 points in a span of 2:32 early in the fourth en route to a 36-26 victory"¦ The Hawks, OUA finalists four years running, face their second Top Ten battle in as many weeks against No. 9 Windsor and reigning Hec Crighton Trophy winner, running back Daryl Stephenson"¦ Laurier dropped a 38-29 decision to the Lancers in the final game of the regular campaign in 2006 but did a good job containing Stephenson, who was held to 104 rushing yards and no touchdowns on 25 carries"¦
No. 8 Saint Mary's Huskies (0-0)
Last week's rankings: No. 10
Last week's result: did not play
This week: open season at StFX (0-0) on Saturday
The Huskies dropped their season opener 21-19 to StFX a year ago, the first of three straight SMU defeats at the start of the 2006 campaign"¦ Saint Mary's would avenge the early season loss to the X-Men by defeating their rivals 32-0 in the regular season finale and 24-6 in the first round of the AUFC playoffs"¦ Six-foot-six sophomore Eric Glavic was 3-0 as the Huskies starting quarterback last fall"¦
No. 9 Windsor Lancers (1-0)
Last week's rankings: not ranked
Last week's result: 59-0 home win over York (0-1)
This week: visit No. 7 Laurier (1-0) on Saturday
Reigning CIS player of the year Daryl Stephenson picked up where he left off a year ago on Monday as he rushed for 211 yards and two touchdowns in the Lancers 59-0 shutout of York"¦ Stephenson is now seventh on the CIS all-time rushing list with 3849 yards, 289 yards behind OUA career leader Jesse Lumsden of McMaster (4138) and 889 behind CIS record holder Dominic Zagari of Manitoba (4738)"¦ Fourth-year Windsor pivot Dan Lumley, who only attempted 13 passes Monday against York, had a career-high four touchdown passes in last year's 38-29 Lancers win over Laurier"¦
No. 10 McMaster Marauders (0-1)
Last week's rankings: No. 9
Last week's result: 36-26 road loss to No. 7 Laurier (1-0)
This week: host Western (0-1) on Saturday
Monday's 36-26 loss to Laurier was McMaster's first season-opening loss since a 37-29 defeat at the hands of Western in 1998"¦ The Marauders have not suffered back-to-back losses to begin the campaign since an 0-4 start in 1997"¦ McMaster has lost its last two duels against Western, 29-12 in 2006 and 55-31 in 2005"¦ Fifth-year quarterback Adam Archibald was stellar despite the loss to Laurier on Monday, completing 26 of 37 passes for 361 yards and two touchdowns"¦
CIS FOOTBALL TOP 10 (#2)
Voting is based on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 point system, with a first-place vote worth 10 points. The CIS Football Top Ten Committee is made up of 15 media members from across Canada. A total of 10 national rankings will be released for the 2007 season, with the final Top 10 being released once all teams have completed the regular season.
Other teams receiving votes: Western Ontario (11), Calgary (9), Queen's (9), Acadia (4), Guelph (1).
(Source: Michel Belanger, Canadian Interuniversity Sport)
