Soles, Greig, Fair named OUA football players of the week

Burlington, Ont. – Anthony Soles, James Greig, and Campbell Fair have been named Canadian Football Perspective's OUA Players of the Week for Week 5.

Offensive Player of the Week – Anthony Soles, Queen's



Queen's continued their impressive start to the season on Saturday, and in their latest lopsided win, it was Anthony Soles running wild for the Gaels in what proved to be a record-tying performance.

The third-year running back from Pointe Claire, Que. was all over the scoresheet for the Kingston crew, anchoring the offence with his 19 carries on the day. It wasn't just the quantity of touches that helped Soles stand out, but the quality, as he reeled off an average of 12.8 yards per carry for the Tricolour, including a handful of runs that were capped off in the end zone.

Soles' first major of the day came on a seven-yard scamper early in the second quarter, before picking up his second in the final minute of the half from 15 yards out. The arts and science student would continue his scoring touch in the final frame with back-to-back touchdowns. The first of those – his third of the day – came via a five-yard run and was followed up by a quick four-yard score just four minutes later.

When the dust settled on the team's 62-11 win, Soles would end with 244 yards and a program-tying mark of four touchdowns in the game, a feat that was last accomplished over 10 years ago for Queen's. 

Defensive Player of the Week – James Greig, Toronto



With an Argo Cup on the line in the 52nd Red & Blue Bowl, the Varsity Blues were eyeing a big performance on both sides of the ball, and while the offence shone in the second half, it was James Greig and the defence stepping up early.

Locked in a 3-0 game for much of the opening half, both teams were looking for that coveted first touchdown of the game. With two minutes remaining in the half, York's offence was eyeing a lengthy drive to make that happen, but the Blues fourth-year linebacker had other plans. After a Lions fumble, Greig was quick to scoop up the loose ball deep in York territory and scamper down the sideline for a 26-yard fumble return touchdown. The play helped get the Blues into the break on a high note and carry the momentum into a dominant second half of play.

In addition to his defensive score, Greig, a native of Vancouver, B.C. also picked up four solo tackles to help the Blues retain the Argo Cup in a 39-7 win.

Special Teams Player of the Week – Campbell Fair, Ottawa



For the second time this season, Ottawa called upon kicker Campbell Fair in the dying seconds of a game to secure them a win, and for the second time this season, the veteran Gee-Gee did just that.

After his first field goal attempt of the day was blocked early in the second quarter, the fourth-year kicker was anxious to get another shot at splitting the uprights in what proved to be a closely-contested matchup with Wilfrid Laurier. With his team trailing by three and just 12 minutes remaining in the game, Fair got the opportunity to tie things up, which he did courtesy of a 44-yard connection. The teams proceeded to trade touchdowns from there, with the Hawks answering the bell with just 29 seconds left to play, leaving little time for Ottawa to come away victorious in regulation. But it proved to be plenty for the visiting Gee-Gees.

The Garnet and Grey marched 35 yards in the final seconds to set up a lengthy field goal attempt for the Carrying Place, Ont. native, and he made no mistake. The thrilling 55-yard make not only won the game for the Gee-Gees, but also tied a longstanding OUA record for longest field goal made, matching Western's Kevin Rydeard (Sept. 11, 1982) in the history books.