In the first week of the 2015 Canada West football regular season, Manitoba Bisons first year running back/kick returner Jamel Lyles was selected Canada West Offence Football Athlete of the Week for the week ending September 6/15. 

Lyles, 19, made an impressive CIS debut in his first game as he rushed for 155 yards on only 11 carries for a whopping 14.1 average plus adding one rush TD in an upset road win by the #10 ranked Bisons over the #8 Saskatchewan Huskies by a 34-28 score on Friday, September 4. 

The first year running back scored on an electrifying 58 yard TD run in the second quarter to bring the Bisons to a one point deficit after down as many as 13 points in the first half.

Lyles had six carries of 10 yards or more during the road victory and his rushes accounted for six first downs as he continued to show his blazing speed on numerous occasions.

The Surrey, BC native was multi-purpose threat as he also added 89 yards in punt returns on eight returns for a healthy 11.1 average and two pass receptions.

Lyles is second in Canada West rushing with 155 yards and first in all-purpose yards with 250 after the first week of conference action.

This is the first time that Manitoba Bisons football players has earned conference player of the week honours in 2015 season (week one: offence – Jamel Lyles). 

Bison Football Notes: Next up for Manitoba (1-0) is the home opener against the Calgary Dinos (1-0) on Friday, September 11 at 7 p.m. CT at the Investors Group Field. It is a rematch of the 2014 Canada West final in which Manitoba won 27-15 at Calgary and this game will also be a SHAW TV Game of the Week match-up.