Football: Most Outstanding Miller

Concordia Stingers Quarterback Given Top Conference, Receiver Lessard Named Most Outstanding Offensive Rookie

SportsJulian McKenzie — Published November 13, 2015 | Updated November 13, 2015 at 10:56pm

Miller expressed joy at winning the award, but he quickly deflected praise to his team, specifically his “great” offensive line.

“It’s a great feeling,” said Miller. “It’s a team award so everybody should be proud at Concordia.”

The American quarterback, who began the season as the backup quarterback to Jahlani Gilbert-Knorren before earning his first start in his team’s third game of the season, established a school record for most touchdown passes with 20, which was good enough to lead the entire conference. Miller also led the conference in passing attempts, completions, and total yards.

During the ceremony, Miller’s teammate, receiver Yanic Lessard, was recognized as the conference’s most outstanding offensive rookie. Lessard led the conference in touchdown catches with eight, and receiving yards with 728.

“Every week, he came to work and the results paid off,” said Miller. “He was with me all summer, [I was] throwing [to him] everyday so I knew that success would come for him.”

Miller, originally from Buffalo, NY, will be a nominee for the Hec Crighton Trophy, an award given to the most outstanding football player in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport. Alongside Miller will be Calgary Dinos quarterback and reigning winner Andrew Buckley and Western University quarterback Will Finch. One more nominee, from the Atlantic University Sport conference, has yet to be announced.

“There’s a lot of great players [nominated for the award] so it’s an honour to be considered,” Miller said.

Scott Syvret was the last Concordia Stinger to win the Jeff Russel Memorial Trophy in 2005. Miller is the fourth Stinger, and third quarterback, to win the award in team history.

In an earlier edition of the article, it was written that Yanic Lessard was the RSEQ’s most outstanding rookie. Lessard was in fact named the RSEQ’s most outstanding offensive rookie. The Link regrets the error.