CFL M.O.P. CANDIDATES

TORONTO (CP) – CFL rushing leader Jon Cornish has been nominated to defend the two individual titles he secured last year.

The Calgary Stampeders’ running back was the team’s nominee as outstanding player and top Canadian after winning both honours last year.

Voting was conducted by members of the Football Reporters of Canada and CFL head coaches.

Despite appearing in just nine games this season, Cornish leads the CFL in rushing with 1,082 yards.

The other West Division nominees for outstanding player include B.C. Lions linebacker Solomon Elimimian (CFL-record 137 tackles), Edmonton Eskimos receiver Adarius Bowman, Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman John Chick and Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Drew Willy.

Toronto Argonauts quarterback Ricky Ray, the CFL passing leader, headlines the list of East Division nominees that also includes Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Zach Collaros, Montreal Alouettes receiver Duron Carter and Ottawa Redblacks linebacker Jasper Simmons.

Winnipeg kicker Lirim Hajrullahu secured the most nominations with three (top Canadian, special-teams player and rookie).

Cornish, Simmons (outstanding player, defensive player), Toronto’s Chris Van Zeyl and Montreal’s Jeff Perrett (both top Canadian and lineman), Elimimian and Chick (both outstanding player, defensive player) and Argos defensive lineman Tristan Okpalaugo (defensive player, rookie) were all double nominees.

The East and West division nominees will be announced Nov. 13 with the CFL awards banquet slated for Nov. 27 in Vancouver.