WINNIPEG — A dominant force on defence and special teams for Bisons football, fifth-year defensive end Brock Gowanlock has been awarded for his efforts — being named the Canada West Outstanding Lineman for the 2021 season.
Gowanlock will go forward as the conference's nominee for the John Metras award, which recognizes the top lineman in U SPORTS football. He's the third Bisons football player to earn the Outstanding Lineman award since 2010, joining Geoff Gray (2016) and David Onyemata (2015).
Gowanlock, 25, earns his first career major conference award and was also unanimously selected as a Canada West All-Star at the end position. In his fifth and final year of eligibility, the Langley Rams product tallied 24 tackles (19 solo) in the regular season and stuffed the rest of the defensive stat sheet, totalling 2.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries (tied for the most in CW) and a defensive touchdown in Week 1.
In the Hardy Cup semi-final against the Alberta Golden Bears, Gowanlock added a fumble recovery of 20 yards to his resumé, while tallying four tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Gowanlock was a draft pick of the Montréal Alouettes in 2020, picked 66th overall. He made his return to Bison football after the pandemic shutdown and will complete his career in brown and gold at the conclusion of Manitoba's current playoff run.
Bisons football takes on the Saskatchewan Huskies in the 84th Hardy Cup on Saturday, November 20 at 1 p.m. Fans can watch the game on Canada West TV presented by Co-op.
Canada West Football – Outstanding Lineman (Since 1974)
Bart Evans (OL) 1974
Ross Garland (OL) 1985
Jason Rauhaus (DE) 1990
Jason Rauhaus (DE) 1991
Israel Idonije (DE) 2002
Justin Cooper (DE) 2007
David Onyemata (DT) 2015
Geoff Gray (OL) 2016
