Fajardo, Hughes among Roughriders’ award nominees

Fajardo came into the 2019 season expected to only contribute on short-yardage plays, but he has taken over as the team’s leader and signal-caller.

Fajardo was thrust into the starting role after quarterback Zach Collaros suffered a concussion on the third play of the season against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 13.

The 27-year-old Fajardo now leads the league in passing yards (4,302) and has thrown 18 touchdowns against just eight interceptions.

He has thrown for the second-most yards by a quarterback during the season of their first start. David Archer holds the record with 6,023 yard while quarterbacking the Sacramento Gold Miners in 1993.

Fajardo, who was a unanimous selection, also has sprinkled in some running back-esque rushing stats with 611 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.

In his first year as a starter in the CFL, Fajardo has led the Green and White to a 12-5 record with a chance to claim the West Division’s top spot against the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

Most Outstanding Defensive Player — Charleston Hughes

To the 35-year-old defensive end, age appears to just be a number.

Hughes has caused nightmares for quarterbacks for most of the season, recording a league-leading 15 sacks in 16 games. That includes a three-sack performance against the B.C. Lions on July 20.

Hughes has also forced four fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 48 tackles in 2019.

Hughes has gone four games without a sack but if he finishes the season as the league leader, he will be the oldest player to ever lead the league in that category.

He’s ranked eighth all-time with 129 sacks.

This is the fourth time he has been nominated for the reward (2012-13, 2016, all with the Calgary Stampeders) and he was the West finalist in 2013.

Most Outstanding Special-Teams Player — Jon Ryan

On May 13, Ryan posted a music video on Twitter to announce he was coming back to his hometown of Regina to play with the Roughriders.

It was the first time the punter had played in the CFL in 12 years after spending time in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks, winning a Super Bowl with the latter in 2014.

Since coming back to Canada, the 37-year-old has punted the ball 104 times for 5,098 yards. That’s an average of 49 yards per punt. While it’s not a stat punters hold in high regard, he has kicked a league-leading 12 rouges this season.

Most Outstanding Canadian — Cameron Judge

Judge has enjoyed a career year in 2019, proving why he was taken second overall in the 2017 Canadian draft.

After playing only three games in his rookie season and earning the starting job in 2018, Judge has been a force on defence for the Green and White. He was a unanimous selection for the nomination.

He has recorded a career-high 59 tackles, 11 special-teams tackles, five sacks, one interception and one forced fumble in 16 games in 2019.

This is the first time Judge has been nominated for the award.

The last Rider to win the award as the CFL’s most outstanding Canadian was Andy Fantuz in 2010.

Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman — Dan Clark

In a year where the Roughriders’ offensive line has dealt with a bevy of injuries and shakeups, Clark has been a steady presence in the middle of it all. The Regina-born centre has played in all 17 games for the Green and White in 2019.

The group as a whole has given up only 35 sacks on the season, good enough for third-fewest in the league. The O-line also has led the way on the ground for the Roughriders, who lead the league in rushing touchdowns (25) and are third with 115.2 rushing yards per game.

Clark was a unanimous selection for the nomination. Teammate Brendon LaBatte was the last Roughrider to be named the CFL’s most outstanding offensive lineman, having won the award in 2013.

Most Outstanding Rookie — Dakoda Shepley

Much like fellow nominee Clark, Shepley helped the offensive line remain one of the CFL’s best despite many injuries to the group.

While the unanimous rookie-of-the-year nominee has returned to a backup role with guards Philip Blake and LaBatte getting healthy, Shepley started in 14 games this season.

The Windsor, Ont., product joined the Roughriders late last season after attending training camp with the New York Jets. He signed a two-year deal with the Roughriders in March.

The last Roughrider to be named the CFL’s top rookie was Weston Dressler in 2008.

by Britton Gray