Solid rainy-day work earns Charles top offensive nod
Not even a rain storm for the ages could wash the smile off Hugh Charles’ face.
The Edmonton Eskimos running back was named the Canadian Football League offensive player of the week on Tuesday after racking up 119 yards on 11 carries in a rain-soaked 30-20 win over the Hamilton TigerCats on Sunday.
Charles’ afternoon was highlighted by a 70-yard scamper into the end zone to open the scoring in the first quarter.
Sunday’s weather in Guelph, Ont., where the Tiger-Cats are making their home this season as the new Ivor Wynne Stadium is being built, was the talk of the Eskimos’ lockerroom on Tuesday.
“It’s a good honour, but especially early in the season, there’s still a whole lot more work to do. My goal now is just to stay consistent and as an offence to stay consistent,” Charles said.
“I wanted to get off to a fast start and, even though it was raining, it allowed the pass game to open.
“That was one of the worst rainy games I’ve ever played in,” he added.
“I think the last bad one I played in was back in high school. I’d rather play in snow than rain.”
Charles said he knew he was going to get lots of work on Sunday because teams usually rely upon the ground game in adverse weather conditions.
“I was kind of glad it rained the whole game,” he said.
“I didn’t want it to dry up and our feet still be soggy, because my shoes weighed like 20 pounds. I think every body, their whole pads and shoes weighed tons.”
The victory was key for the Eskimos, who avoided heading into their home-and-home matchup with the B.C. Lions as the CFL’s lone winless team — a position now occupied by Hamilton.
“It’s definitely important to get a win this week. Last week is behind us, but B.C. is a good team and we want to beat as many opponents in our division as we can,” Charles said. NOTES: Fred Stamps stayed true to form this season, as the star slotback didn’t practise. The four-time CFL all-star is “banged up,” according to head coach Kavis Reed, and needs rest more than practice repetitions to be ready for Saturday’s game … Defensive lineman Marcus Howard took a maintenance day following Sunday’s game, but is fine and will be ready to play when the Lions come to town.