Three Stars: Jeff Mathews, Gabriel Knapton and Ed Gainey light up Week Sixteen

Here's another edition of the Three Stars, our regular look at each week's top performers on offence, defence and special teams. This time, we're examining the top showings from Week Sixteen's games. 

First star/offensive player of the week: Jeff Mathews, quarterback, Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Mathews has been thrust into the spotlight since Zach Collaros was lost for the season Sept. 19, and on Saturday against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, he thoroughly shone. Mathews completed 22 of 33 passing attempts (66.7 per cent) for 385 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in Hamilton's 30-15 win, and he made a case that the Ticats might be fine proceeding without a veteran quarterback. Those are remarkable totals for a CFL rookie, but it is worth noting that Mathews does have the advantage of playing under Hamilton head coach/general manager Kent Austin and offensive coordinator Tommy Condell in college at Cornell, so he has at least some experience with their system. Moreover, his numbers did come against a 2-13 Saskatchewan team. Still, Mathews delievered the most consistently-impressive performance of the week. If he can keep that up going forward, the Ticats may be able to survive losing Collaros.

(Honourable mentions: Emmanuel Arcenaux, WR, B.C.; Trevor Harris, QB, Toronto (for their first game in particular); Terrell Sinkfield Jr., WR, Hamilton.)

Second star/defensive player of the week: Greg Knapton, defensive end, Montreal Alouettes: Knapton had a remarkable three sacks Monday against Toronto, and also recorded four tackles. The Wyoming product has eight sacks this season and has been a big part of Montreal's pass rush. He and the Alouettes couldn't quite pull off a comeback against the Argos, eventually falling 25-17 when time ran out, but their playoff hopes are still alive, and Knapton may be crucial to sustaining those.

(Honourable mentions: Brandon McDonald, DB, Calgary; Maurice Leggett, LB, Winnipeg; Winston Venable, LB, Montreal.)

Third star/special teams player of the week: Ed Gainey, defensive back/cover teams, Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Gainey recorded one of the week's best plays Saturday against Saskatchewan, blocking a Ray Early punt deep in Riders' territory and setting up Mathews' first passing touchdown. The Appalachian State alum has 46 defensive tackles on the season, but has also shown he can make some nice plays on special teams.

(Honourable mentions: Sean Whyte, P/K, Edmonton; Justin Medlock, P/K, Hamilton; Rob Maver, P, Calgary.)

Bonus star/Canadian player of the week: Henoc Muamba, linebacker, Montreal Alouettes: Muamba recently returned from the NFL, and so far, he looks to be worth the steep price Montreal paid. He had five tackles and a nice interception Monday against Toronto. If the St. Francis Xavier product can keep this up down the stretch, he may be a big boost to the Alouettes' playoff hopes.

(Honourable mentions: Cauchy Muamba, DB, Edmonton; Courtney Stephen, DB, Hamilton; Anthony Coombs, SB, Toronto.)

Watch 55-Yard Line for next week's Three Stars, and if you'd like to nominate a candidate during the week's games, contact me via Twitter or e-mail. Thanks for reading!