Three Stars: Mike Reilly, Rico Murray and Tim Brown top Week Eight’s best performances

Rolling forward with our Three Stars series, here's a look at the top offensive, defensive, special teams and Canadian players from Week Eight.

First star/offensive player of the week: Mike Reilly, quarterback, Edmonton Eskimos: Yes, Reilly's Eskimos came up just short against the Toronto Argonauts Sunday night, but he more than delivered on the potential they had hoped to find by sticking with him. Reilly turned in one of the best quarterbacking performances of this season so far, completing 35 of 46 passes (76.1 per cent) for 513 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. The Eastern Washington product also proved effective with his legs, frequently scrambling away from defensive pressure to make throws and also rushing twice for 21 yards. If he can keep playing like this, things may get a lot better for the Eskimos.

(Honourable mentions: Ricky Ray, QB, Toronto; Fred Stamps, SB, Edmonton; Terrence Edwards, SB, Winnipeg.)

Second star/defensive player of the week: Rico Murray, linebacker, Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Murray is in just his first CFL season and is a recent addition to the Tiger-Cats' starting lineup, replacing Brandon Isaac Aug. 2. He looked anything but inexperienced in Hamilton's 37-18 win over Winnipeg Friday, though, recording four tackles, a sack, an interception and a forced fumble (off that crucial sack of Bombers' quarterback Max Hall). It was an impressive all-around performance from the Kent State alumnus, and if Murray can keep that up, he might help the Tiger-Cats' defence improve from its early-season struggles.

(Honourable mentions: Odell Willis, DE, Edmonton; Chip Cox, LB, Montreal; Adam Bighill, LB, B.C.)

Third star/special teams player of the week: Tim Brown, punt returner/kick returner, B.C. Lions: Brown provided one of the best highlights of the week in B.C.'s 26-22 win over Calgary Saturday night, taking a kick back 97 yards for a touchdown. The Temple product's TD return provided a crucial boost for the Lions, as their regular offence wasn't clicking all that effectively against the Stampeders. It also marked one of the best showings by the B.C. return unit this season, with players making plenty of effective blocks and Brown hitting the created holes. If this is a sign of things to come, that could be a big advantage for the Lions going forward this year.

(Honourable mentions: Ricky Schmitt, P, Saskatchewan; Grant Shaw, P/K, Edmonton; Mike Renaud, P, Winnipeg.)

Bonus star/Canadian player of the week: Chris Getzlaf, slotback, Saskatchewan Roughriders: Getzlaf led all Saskatchewan receivers with five catches for 95 yards in Saturday's 24-21 win over Montreal. The Regina Rams product made several huge plays, including a 32-yard grab, and proved crucial to keeping the aerial offence moving, especially after Rob Bagg was hurt. The Riders' passing attack hasn't been as prominent this year thanks to their focus on establishing the run with Kory Sheets, but they have some talented receivers, and Getzlaf's a very impressive player. He may play a bigger role for them in the coming weeks.

(Honourable mentions: Nathan Coehoorn, SB, Edmonton; Andrew Harris, RB, B.C.; Andre Durie, SB, Toronto.)

Have a candidate in mind for next week's Three Stars? Let me know via Twitter or e-mail during the week's games.