Montreal, Que. — Andrew Buckley, the fourth-year quarterback from the University of Calgary, was awarded the Hec Crighton Trophy as the outstanding player in CIS football at the Sheraton Montreal Centre awards gala Thursday.
The gala was a part of the 50th TELUS Vanier Cup celebrations. The McMaster Marauders will face off with the University of Montreal Carabins in the championship game Saturday at 1 p.m. EST in the Percival Molson Memorial Stadium on Sportsnet, Sportsnet 360, Radio-Canada and CIS-SIC.tv.
Buckley became the first player in CIS history to win both the Crighton Trophy and the Russ Jackson Award in a career. This is his second consecutive Russ Jackson honour for “excellence in football, academics and citizenship.”
“Sun Life Financial is thrilled and proud to partner with Canadian Interuniversity Sport for the presentation of the 50th Vanier Cup banquet,” said Robert Dumas, President, Sun Life Financial, Quebec. “I salute the determination, passion and commitment of the players who excel not only on the field but also in the classroom. Among those exceptional models are without a doubt the leaders of tomorrow and maybe our future colleagues.”
Other CIS award winners announced during the Sun Life Financial All-Canadian Banquet were linebacker Jonathan Langa, who was honoured with the Presidents’ Trophy as defensive player of the year; Ettore Lattanzio, who captured the J.P. Metras Trophy as most outstanding down lineman; Hugo Richard, who won the Peter Gorman Trophy as top rookie; and Mount Allison head coach Kelly Jeffrey who was given the Frank Tindall Trophy.
The fourth Dino to win the Hec Crighton, Buckley follows quarterback Greg Varva (1983), receiver Don Blair (1995) and pivot Erik Glavic (2009). The quarterback was at the helm of the country’s most formidable offence in 2014, helping to set school records in points, touchdowns and total offence – numbers they led the nation with as well.
His team became the first in Canada West history to break the 5000-yard mark in total offence in addition to a staggering 51 touchdowns and 419 points.
Buckley was a focal point all season, achieving a 64.3 completion percentage, 2175 passing yards and 18 touchdowns through the air. He threw fewer interceptions than any starting quarterback in Canada West.
As dominating as he was in the air, Buckley’s work on the ground was impressive as well. He averaged nearly 64 rushing yards per game, totalling 510 yards for the year. He led the country in both yards-per-carry and rushing yards by a quarterback. His 10 rushing touchdowns was second amongst all CIS players.
“Very few quarterbacks have been able to pass and run as effectively as Andrew Buckley,” said Dinos head coach Blake Nill. “His statistics are very impressive, but what is more impressive is that he only played the equivalent of 6.25 games – and there is no question his stats would have been even greater had he played more.”
The three-time Academic All-Canadian is an honours student in the field of Kinesiology and hopes to pursue a career in orthopedic surgery – following in his father’s footsteps – after graduation.
Buckley has put an emphasis on giving back to both his school and community. He volunteers with Alberta Health Services and once embarked on a 10-day humanitarian trip to Guatemala to help build efficient wood-burning stoves.
“He is an outstanding leader and competitor,” said Nill. “He reads exceptionally well and he is extremely humble and unselfish.”
Other nominees for the Hec Crighton Trophy were Acadia’s Brian Jones, Laval’s Hugo Richard and Wilfrid Laurier’s Dillon Campbell.
The nominees for the Russ Jackson Award were Acadia’s Sean Stoqua, Montreal’s Alexandre Laganière and Mcmaster’s Adam Dickson.