FB: Efficient, game-changing plays earn UBC, CGY, SSK players weekly honours

CALGARY - Canada West football returned from its bye weekend with a vengeance. As teams turned fields into battlegrounds Saturday, UBC's quarterback, a Calgary defensive back, and Saskatchewan's kicker emerged as key contributors in their respective teams' victories.

UBC's Garrett Rooker, CGY's Jordan Chizda and Saskatchewan's David Solie have been named the Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively.

Rooker played an intelligent and skillful game from the pocket, avoiding tackles from threatening lineman, rushing for downs and making perfect passes to his receivers as he marched the Thunderbirds down for several major scores to give his team an early advantage over the visiting Manitoba Bisons.

He rushed in for a touchdown of his own, jumping right over a Bisons defender in the second quarter.

Working efficiently, Rooker finished the night completing on 14 of 20 attempts, a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown, as his Thunderbirds captured a timely victory to move up in a tight race for the playoffs.

Rooker and the Thunderbirds are slated to be back in action Saturday, when they host the league-leading Saskatchewan Huskies at 1:00 p.m. You can catch all the action on SaskTel maxTV and maxTV stream, TELUS Optik TV or Canada West TV.

Meanwhile, Jordan Chizda of the Calgary Dinos was determined to change his team's luck after a tough start to the season. In a provincial rivalry hosted by the University of Alberta, Chizda showed off his speed, tracking down a pass intended for a Golden Bears receiver, nabbing it clean out of the air and running it back for a touchdown.

The score came at a critical juncture, breaking the 10-10 tie late in the second quarter. Calgary would go on to add an assurance marker in the fourth, but Chizda's play was instrumental in the team notching its first win of the season.

The 33-yard swing of the tide wasn't Chizda's only interception of the game. He frustrated the Alberta offence once more with another grab to give his team possession.

Chizda and the Dinos will be back in action Saturday at 1:00 p.m. when they host the Regina Rams. You can catch all the action on SaskTel maxTV and maxTV stream, TELUS Optik TV or Canada West TV.

David Solie earns the Special Teams Player of the Week nod after hitting several key field goals to keep his Saskatchewan Huskies perfect on the season.

Solie went three for three, knocking down a 20-yard attempt then an 18-yard attempt before lining up for a 37-yard try in the fourth quarter. Solie's skill was evident as he knocked down the lengthy kick, giving his team a cushion they would later need as Regina came surging back for a touchdown as time wound down.

Solie's nine points were key in Saskatchewan's 23-20 win over provincial rival Regina.

He and the Huskies are now set to travel to Vancouver, where they will take on the UBC Thunderbirds Saturday at 1 p.m. local time. You can catch all the action on SaskTel maxTV and maxTV stream, TELUS Optik TV or Canada West TV.