Three Stars: Zach Collaros, Eric Norwood and Brandon Banks lead Week Eight

Continuing our Three Stars series, here's a look at the top performances of Week 8, where all three stars come from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats' 52-22 beatdown of the B.C. Lions Saturday. 

First star/offensive player of the week: Zach Collaros, quarterback, Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Collaros was dominant against the Lions, throwing for 290 yards (the week's highest total) and four touchdowns. What was really remarkable was his efficiency, though; Collaros completed 19 of 23 passes, so he only had four incompletions all day, and no interceptions. (He did have one fumble, but it wasn't lost.) That's a staggering completion percentage of 82.6 per cent for the Cincinnati product. He's been very accurate this year in general, completing 70 per cent of his passes heading into this game, but Saturday saw him take that to a new level.

(Honourable mentions: Bo Levi Mitchell, QB, Calgary; Luke Tasker, WR, Hamilton; Derel Walker, WR, Edmonton.)

Second star/defensive player of the week: Eric Norwood, defensive end, Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Norwood did it all for Hamilton Saturday, making tackles (he had four), providing a pass-rushing threat (he recorded one of the Tiger-Cats' four sacks), forcing a fumble and even scoring on a 26-yard fumble recovery and return. The South Carolina alum has been an impressive pass-rusher for Hamilton this year, posting four sacks to date. He may be a big part of their defence going forward.

(Honourable mentions: Odell Willis, DE, Edmonton; Erik Harris, DB, Hamilton; Fred Bennett, DB, Calgary.)

Third star/special teams player of the week: Brandon Banks, punt returner/kick returner, Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Banks showed off his speed again Saturday, taking a punt 96 yards to the house for a touchdown. That marked his third punt-return touchdown of the season, which is remarkable, and he could have had more if not for some flags nullifying returns. The Kansas State product has more big-play potential than any other returner in the league right now, and he's making an impact on offence as well (he had three catches for 49 yards and another touchdown as well Saturday), but it's special teams where he really shines. He finished the game against the Lions with 121 punt return yards on six attempts and a 26-yard kick return.

(Honourable mentions: Richie Leone, P, B.C.; Rob Maver, P, Calgary; Joe Burnett, cover teams, Calgary.)

Bonus star/Canadian player of the week: Rob Maver, punter, Calgary Stampeders: Maver was consistently effective all night in the Stampeders' 48-3 destruction of the Ottawa Redblacks Saturday, pinning the Redblacks inside their five-yard line twice and averaging 45.6 yards per punt on 12 punts. The Guelph alum was a big reason why Calgary started with such favourable field position; their average drive began from the Ottawa 53. Maver is third in the league (amongst punters with more than five attempts) with an average of 47.1 yards per punt this year.

(Honourable mentions: Lirim Hajrullahu, K/P, Winnipeg; Austin Collie, WR, B.C.; Matt Walter, RB, Calgary.)

Keep an eye on 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!