Three Stars: Travis Lulay, Richie Leone and Zach Evans top Week Three's showings

Moving on with our Three Stars series, let's look at the CFL's top offensive, defensive and special teams performers in Week Three.

First star/offensive player of the week: Travis Lulay, quarterback, B.C. Lions: Lulay dazzled in B.C.'s remarkable last-second comeback against Saskatchewan Friday, leading the Lions to 11 points inside the three-minute warning and an eventual 35-32 overtime victory. The Montana State alum was good on the night overall, completing 34 of 44 passes (77.3 per cent) for 404 yards and three touchdowns, but he was particularly effective late, hitting Austin Collie for a 46-yard touchdown and the ensuing two-point conversion in regulation to set up Richie Leone'slate field goal to send the game to overtime. After the Roughriders settled for a field goal in the extra frame, Lulay took over again, finding Shawn Gore for a big gain and Emmanuel Arceneaux for the game-winning touchdown. It was a big step forward from the unimpressive Week Two showing Lulay and the Lions turned in against Ottawa, and if they can keep the passing game ticking like this, they might do well this year.

(Honourable mentions: S.J. Green, WR, Montreal; Adarius Bowman, SB, Edmonton; Eric Rogers, WR, Calgary.)

Second star/special teams player of the week: Richie Leone, punter/kicker, B.C. Lions: The 23-year-old Leone is relatively new to the CFL, only making a brief appearance on the Lions' practice roster last season in between NFL stints, but he showed enough in the preseason to convince B.C. to part ways with veteran Paul McCallum. McCallum went on to sign with the Roughriders and was effective for them Friday, but Houston product Leone was even better, making all five of his field-goal attempts, including a 56-yard one in the game's final minute that set a club record and forced overtime. He was also effective as a punter, averaging 48.2 yards on six boots. Leone did miss one of two convert attempts on the night, but he had a great evening overall, and was a key part of B.C.'s eventual win.

(Honourable mentions: Lirim Hajrullahu, P/K, Winnipeg; Rob Maver, P, Calgary; Skye Dawson, PR/KR, Edmonton.)

Third star/defensive player of the week: Zach Evans, defensive tackle, Ottawa Redblacks: Evans produced the highlight of the week and perhaps of the season so far Thursday against Edmonton, picking off a shovel pass from Eskimos' QB Matt Nichols and returning it 66 yards for a touchdown, something that's rare to see from a 6'4'', 295-pounds defensive tackle. The Regina Thunder product was effective throughout the night, though, also recording a sack and three tackles. Ottawa lost 46-17, so Evans' play wasn't enough, but he can hold his head high after this one.

(Honourable mentions: Dexter McCoil, LB, Edmonton; Adam Bighill, LB, B.C.; Johnny Adams, DB, Winnipeg.)

Bonus star/Canadian player of the week: Quinn Smith, defensive tackle/offensive guard, Calgary Stampeders; Smith is normally a defensive tackle for Calgary, but he played on both lines in college at Concordia, so that made him the best emergency replacement left after Stampeders' tackles Dan Federkeil and Edwin Harrison went down Monday against Toronto. Stepping into a position you haven't played as a pro is never easy, especially when you don't have a lot of pro experience in general; Smith's in his second CFL season, and contributed as a rotational player last year, but only received his first CFL start earlier this year. Smith did admirably, though, and he was given the offensive game ball after the Stampeders' win. He'll likely be used more on the defensive line going forward, as he's shone impressive potential there, but for one night, he was a very useful fill-in on the offensive line.

(Honourable mentions: Zach Evans, DT, Ottawa; Jerome Messam, RB, Saskatchewan; Lirim Hajrullahu, P/K, Winnipeg.)

Thanks for reading! 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.