EDMONTON - Eskimos rookie linebacker Mike Cornell found two reasons to celebrate Saturday.
Cornell knew he was going get his first-ever CFL start due to Rod Harris’s hamstring injury in Hamilton last week.
Getting a chance to play against the B.C. Lions was impressive enough for the former Ottawa Gee-Gees star.
Late in the game, Cornell’s name was flashed on the Commonwealth scoreboard when he was named No. 3 player of the game in a fan tweet.
“I was a little surprised that I even got a vote,” said Cornell. “Somebody pointed it out to me on the sidelines. I looked up and when I saw it up there, I was kinda surprised.”
In the second quarter, Cornell put another feather in his cap.
He somehow got through B.C.’s special-teams blocking and got his hand on a Paul McCallum punt to score a deflection.
The punt only travelled six yards and helped set up a 21-yard Damon Duval field goal after the Eskimos took possession on the Lions’ 34- yard line.
“We ran our punt-block scheme,” said Cornell. “One of our guys was down, so I went in. I threw my hands up and the ball hit me. It was kind of lucky.”
Cornell had a few blocks during his school and college career.
“Yeah, I had a few back then ... but nothing like this,” said the 24-year-old, who spent his first CFL campaign in Calgary. “This is my first one as a pro.”
All in all, it was a day for Cornell to remember.
“Victory, start and a blocked punt,” said Cornell. “We played well.”
Eskimos head coach Kavis Reed was happy for the kid.
“The guy got an opportunity,” said Reed.
“He was a young man looking for a job in the off-season. We were fortunate to get him, and he’s taken advantage of the opportunities he’s getting by playing hard, smart football.”
con.griwkowsky@sunmedia.ca
