2022 CFL Awards: Collaros, Rourke make history, Bombers clean up

The Canadian Football League handed out its annual awards Thursday, and the list of winners was tinted blue and gold for a second straight year. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were handsomely rewarded for their 15-win season, claiming four of the league's major awards at the ceremony in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Here's a look at all of the night's big winners:

Most Outstanding Player: Zach Collaros, Blue Bombers

Zach Collaros can now take his place among the greatest quarterbacks in CFL history.

The Blue Bombers quarterback was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player for a second consecutive season, earning 47 of 50 first-place votes to easily beat Montreal Alouettes wideout Eugene Lewis. Collaros becomes the fifth player to win MOP in consecutive seasons, joining CFL legends Jackie Parker (1957-58), Dieter Brock (1980-81), Doug Flutie (1991-94 and 1996-97), and Anthony Calvillo (2008-09).

"If it wasn't for football, I'd probably be working in a steel mill somewhere in the Ohio Valley," an emotional Collaros said during his acceptance speech. "I have no idea what I would be doing without this league. So thank you to the CFL and to everybody who puts so much into ... putting events like this on tonight, hosting the entire season, and goes above and beyond for us to play this game."

Collaros was almost unstoppable this year. The 34-year-old threw a league-best 37 touchdowns - 12 more than second-place Nathan Rourke - and completed 70% of his passes for a career-high 4,183 passing yards. He led Winnipeg to a franchise-best 15 wins and will try to guide the club to a third straight Grey Cup title Sunday against the Toronto Argonauts.

This is the fourth time the Blue Bombers have had MOPs in consecutive seasons and first since Khari Jones and Milt Stegall won in 2001 and 2002, respectively.

Most Outstanding Canadian: Nathan Rourke, Lions

Rourke needed just one season as a starting quarterback to put himself in the pantheon of Canadian greats, running away with the Most Outstanding Canadian award. He joins four-time winner Russ Jackson and Gerry Dattilio (1980) as the only quarterbacks to win this award.

Before a foot injury halted his campaign, the native of Victoria, British Columbia, took the league by storm. He passed for 3,349 yards and 25 touchdowns in just 10 starts for the BC Lions, completing 78.7% of his passes while running for another 304 yards and seven TDs. Rourke's 123.6 rating is the second-highest in CFL history. He threw for 300-plus yards on six occasions - including three 400-yard performances - and set a Canadian single-game record of 488 yards on Aug. 13 against the Calgary Stampeders.

The 24-year-old is the seventh Lions player to win Most Outstanding Canadian.

Rourke beat out Argonauts wideout Kurleigh Gittens Jr. for the honor with 41 first-place votes.

Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Lorenzo Mauldin IV, Redblacks

Mauldin broke out as a defensive star during his third CFL season and first with the Ottawa Redblacks. An all-around beast on the line, he tallied a league-high 17 sacks to go with 43 defensive tackles and two forced fumbles. He's the first Redblacks player to win this award and just the second Ottawa player to do so after the Rough Riders' Greg Marshall won in 1983. The 30-year-old received 32 first-place votes to best Calgary veteran Shawn Lemon and deny Winnipeg its fourth straight winner in this category.

Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Stanley Bryant, Blue Bombers

For the fourth time in five seasons, Bryant is the CFL's best offensive lineman. The future Hall of Famer becomes the first four-time winner of this award - he was already the first and only three-time winner - and is the fifth player in CFL history to win four league awards. The 36-year-old anchored a Blue Bombers line that allowed fewer than two sacks per game in 2022. Bryant beat Brandon Revenberg of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for the honor with 34 first-place votes.

Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Mario Alford, Roughriders

Alford made sure the Saskatchewan Roughriders had outstanding field position all season, racking up 1,649 total return yards off punts, kickoffs, and missed field goals in just 14 games. He's the 11th player in CFL history to record four return TDs in a season: He notched one on a punt return, one on a missed field goal, and tied another single-season record by scoring two on kick returns. The native of Greenville, Georgia, easily beat out Montreal's Chandler Worthy for the honor.

Most Outstanding Rookie: Dalton Schoen, Blue Bombers

Schoen exploded onto the CFL scene with one of the best rookie seasons in league history. The Kansas State product led the CFL in both receiving yards (1,401) and touchdowns (16), becoming the first player to do so since 1988. He was also the only wideout to average over 20 yards per game. Schoen, who defeated Tyson Philpot of the Alouettes with 48 first-place votes, is the seventh Winnipeg rookie to win this award and first since 2012.

Annis Stukus Trophy (Coach of the Year): Mike O'Shea, Blue Bombers

O'Shea once again guided the Blue Bombers to the top of the CFL. Winnipeg earned a league-best 15 wins to secure its sixth straight season with double-digit victories, and it owned the CFL's second-best offense while allowing the fewest points against per game. O'Shea is the first repeat winner of Coach of the Year since Montreal's Charlie Taaffe in 1999 and 2000.

Tom Pate Memorial Trophy: Emmanuel Arceneaux, Elks

The Canadian Football League Players' Association bestows this award to recognize sportsmanship and significant contributions to team and community. Arceneaux, 35, earned the honor for his work as the leader and mentor of a young Edmonton Elks squad. He came out of retirement to record over 500 receiving yards in 12 games.

Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Award: Dan Clark, Roughriders

This award is presented to a Canadian player "who demonstrates the attributes of Canada's veterans." Clark, a staple of the Roughriders' offensive line since 2009, suffered horrific leg and ankle injuries in Week 2 that required some difficult rehabilitation, but he managed to return to the field late in the season. The native of Regina also remained on the sidelines with his teammates throughout his rehab process. Clark - who previously returned to play after sustaining serious injuries in a 2019 car accident - also does community work in Saskatchewan, championing anti-bullying and mental wellness causes.

Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award: Rick LeLacheur

This award honors leadership and significant contributions to the CFL. LeLacheur, who is retiring from his post as BC Lions president, helped transfer the Lions from the estate of David Braley to new owner Amar Doman and oversaw their attendance spike this year. LeLacheur is the first two-time winner of the award, having also received it in 2011 with Edmonton.

Jane Mawby Tribute Award: Gail Mund

Established in 2019, this award is given to a CFL employee who works behind the scenes and outside of the spotlight. Mund has been the Roughriders' director of ticket operations since 1996.

CFL Commissioner's Award: Jeff Harbin

This award is presented annually by the CFL commissioner to a person who has made significant contributions to the league. Harbin, the CFL's manager of officiating, has worked for the league for the past 22 years.

The CFL announced its 2022 All-Star team earlier this week.