Browne and Blaszczak Canada West Football
Athlete of the Week Honours

September 5 - After a strong weekend, Manitoba Bisons athletes were rewarded with two Canada West Football honours. Third year linebacker Brady Browne and second year Simon Blaszczak were named as Canada West Defense and Special Teams Football Athlete of the Week.

Brady Browne was a strong defensive force throughout the season opener where the Bison defense allowed only 260 yards in a come-from-behind 34-24 road victory over the Regina Rams on September 2, 2006.

After the Rams led 20-2 into the second quarter, the Bisons held the home team to four points the remaining 36 minutes of the game. Browne had four tackles with one being crucial for a one-yard loss. In the fourth quarter with the score at 27-20, Browne produced a spectacular tackle on a third down and one play at the Bisons’ two yard line. He stopped Derek Belvedere as he tried to run for the first down and snuffed out a promising and game-tying Rams’ drive.

Browne also registered a blocked kick in the second quarter that set-up the first Bisons touchdown of the game.

Simon Blaszczak made an impressive impact in his first CIS action during the 34-24 road victory over the Regina Rams in the season opener on September 2, 2006.

Blaszczak is a kick specialist who plays on the Bisons’ punt team. He was instrumental in preserving the Bisons road victory when he recovered a punt fumble. Rams’ Chris King coughed up the ball at Regina’s three yard line and Blaszczak proceeded to recover and run the ball into the end zone with only 1:14 left in the game and extend the Bisons lead. This was his second touchdown of the game as he also caught a 17 yard TD pass in the third and accumulated three catches for 44 yards in the win.

The #9 ranked Bisons football team play their second road match this season against the SFU Clan (0-0) on Friday, September 8 at 9 p.m. CT. The game can be heard on Campus Radio UMFM 101.5 FM starting at 8:45 p.m.