Now he wouldn’t call it a personal goal of his, but Week 1 of the CFL season was an indication to Stamps running back Jon Cornish of exactly what it takes to become the Most Outstanding Player of the season.

On the basis of 172 rushing yards, 192 total yards and two touchdowns in the Stamps first week victory, Cornish was named the Canadian player of the week for the opening slate of games of the schedule.

“For me, it’s an indication of what I’ll have to do to get the MOP at the end of the season,” said Cornish, the 2012 West Division nominee for Most Outstanding Player. 

“I only set goals on a per-play basis, I want to be as good as I can be on a per-play basis, but I understand now, there is a lot more media on (the East) side than there is here. 

“I’m not saying I deserve the Outstanding Player this week at all — Ricky Ray had an outstanding performance. For me, it’s just an indication of where I have to be. I have to be as good as the Ricky Rays, the Anthony Calvillos of this league to get there. For a final goal, that wouldn’t be too bad.” 

Ray, signal-caller for the Toronto Argonauts, was named offensive player of the week after throwing for 386 yards and four touchdowns in a 39-34 come-from-behind win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. 

As for his performance itself, Cornish was quick to credit the offensive line in front of him for opening the holes. 

“If I get the opportunity to run behind them, the honour will be mine,” Cornish opined. “They have shown to be a tremendous force already and, if we can continue to do that, really good things will happen to this football team.”

Before the week, Cornish pledged $10 a yard for the Alberta flood relief, cutting a check of $2,000 after the game. 

Joining Cornish for the weekly awards was defensive end Charleston Hughes, who sacked BC Lions QB Travis Lulay three times during the Stamps opening-week victory.

“I had the opportunity to get to him three times, which is a great accomplishment for me,” said Hughes, a six-year veteran with the Stampeders. 

“He’s just like any other quarterback in the league — it’s hard to take them all down. It’s hard to take Calvillo down if you have to get to him first.”