HAMILTON, Ont. – The following athletes have been named OUA Football Players of the Week for the period ending September 18, 2011.

OFFENCE/SPECIAL TEAMS: Giovanni Aprile, Queen's Gaels, Receiver
Giovanni Aprile (Toronto) was the Gaels top performer on offence and special teams in their win over the Laurier Golden Hawks. Aprile's 177 yard, three touchdown performance on seven catches led the Gaels offensive output. An 85 yard catch and run play by Aprile is the Gaels' longest offensive play of the 2011 season thus far.

Aprile was equally dominant on special teams as his 191 yards returning and one touchdown were record setting. The 191 yards returning now stands as a Gaels record for return yardage in a single game, breaking the previous mark of 180 yards set by Jimmy Allin against the Guelph Gryphons on September 7, 2009. Aprile also tied the Gaels record for number of kickoff returns in a game with seven, which matches the mark set by John Larsen vs. the Bishop's Gaiters on September 15, 1984. The 24 points produced by Aprile puts him in a tie for second all-time on the Gaels' list for points in a single game.

DEFENCE: Wilkerson DeSouza, McMaster Marauders, Line backer

Fourth-year linebacker Wilkerson DeSouza (Mississauga, Ont.) had a breakout day with a season-high 11 solo tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in leading the Varsity Blues football team to their first win over the Guelph Gryphons since 1995. DeSouza was chosen The Score's Porter Player of the Game in Toronto's first nationally televised game since 2006. With Toronto leading 14-7, the Gryphons drove deep into Blues territory early in the third; however, U of T's defensive corps held strong as DeSouza forced a fumble and recovered it on his own one-yard line.