Virtanen named AUS football defensive player of the week

Atlantic University Sport Football Players of the Week (Week 10)
Week ending Oct. 27, 2019

Offensive Player of the Week
Name: Josh Hicks
University: Mount Allison University
Position: Receiver
Hometown: Moncton, N.B
Year of eligibility: Third
Academic program: Commerce
Height and weight: 6'1", 190 lbs

Mount Allison Mounties receiver Josh Hicks is the Atlantic University Sport football offensive player of the week for the week ending Oct. 27, 2019.

A commerce student from Moncton, N.B., Hicks set a new AUS record Saturday for receptions in a single game with 16. The previous record of 15 was set in 1987 by former Mounties standout Frank Sajous and tied in 1993 by Saint Mary's Steve Sarty.

His 300 receiving yards tied the AUS record. He also had a receiving touchdown in the close loss.

The Mounties ultimately fell 33-31 to the undefeated Acadia Axemen in what was the final regular season game. However, after finishing third in the AUS standings, they secured their place in the AUS postseason for the first time since 2016.

Defensive Player of the Week

Name: Cole Virtanen
University: St. Francis Xavier University
Position: Defensive back
Hometown: Nanaimo, B.C.
Year of eligibility: Second
Academic program: BA HK
Height and weight: 5'9", 195 lbs

StFX X-Men defensive back Cole Virtanen has been named the AUS football defensive player of the week.

A second-year human kinetics student from Nanaimo, B.C., Virtanen had two interceptions in StFX's 14-4 win over the Saint Mary's Huskies to close out their season Saturday in Halifax, N.S.

He had 53 interception return yards, including one 42-yard return for a touchdown.

Virtanen also added six solo tackles and forced fumble for the X-Men defence.

Special Teams Player of the Week
Name: Ben George
University: Acadia University
Position: Kicker
Hometown: Moncton, N.B.
Year of eligibility: First
Academic program: BKin
Height and weight: 5'9", 175 lbs

Acadia Axemen kicker Ben George is the AUS football special teams player of the week for the week ending Oct. 27, 2019.

A freshman kinesiology student from Moncton, N.B., George had eight punts for 336 yards (42-yard average), including three downed inside the 20 in Acadia's 33-31 win over the Mount Allison Mounties in Sackville, N.B.

He was successful on one of two field goal attempts and three of four point-after attempts and added a rouge for seven points in the win.

George also added four kickoffs for 210 yards (52.5-yard average).

With the victory, the Axemen completed an undefeated regular season, securing first place in the AUS standings and hosting rights to the Subway AUS Loney Bowl.

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