MontrealAlouettes.com
MONTREAL – Alouettes linebacker Bear Woods was named the CFL’s Defensive Player of the month for October. Woods earns this recognition on the heels of three outstanding performances in the midst of his team’s fierce race for a playoff berth. This is the second consecutive month the veteran has been tabbed for this defensive honour.
Woods shone his star on the most memorable of days, registering seven tackles and two sacks en route to a 40-9 romp of the Saskatchewan Roughriders this past October 13 as Anthony Calvillo’s number was retired by the organization at halftime
The Troy University product continued his torrid pace the following week against the rival Toronto Argonauts, registering seven special teams tackle as the Alouettes defensive corps remarkably limited pivot Ricky Ray to 202 passing yards. The Alouettes topped the Argonauts by a score of 20-12 that afternoon, weathering the strong Toronto offence to four field goals.
And, finally, during last Friday’s emotional tilt in the nation’s capital, Bear Woods led the charge on defence once again with 10 tackles – tying a career high set the month prior against the Tiger-Cats – a sack on Henry Burris, and generating two turnovers on a stripped fumble and an interception.
In three October contests, Woods recorded an impressive 24 defensive tackles, including 3 quarterback sacks. He also added one special teams tackle, forced a fumble, and notched one interception in a span where the Alouettes won three consecutive games and allowed just three touchdowns. The Macclenny, Florida native has currently places sixth in the CFL’s defensive tackle leaderboard with 70 despite being sidelined for the first six games of the season.
With this third defensive honour of the season to go along with the previous month’s recognition, Bear Woods has established himself as a key piece of defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe’s squad.
