Jon Cornish is again chasing CFL history.
The Calgary Stampeders running back was named a finalist for the league's outstanding player award, along with receiver/kick-returner Chad Owens of the Toronto Argonauts.
Cornish ran for a league-best 1,457 yards and not only became the first Canadian to lead the CFL in rushing since '88 but also broke Norm Kwong's 56-year-old record for most rushing yards in a season by a Canuck of 1,437.
The six-foot, 217-pound native of New Westminster could become the first Canadian to claim the award since Tony Gabriel in 1978.
Gabriel and former standout quarterback Russ Jackson (1963, '66, '69) are the only Canadians to ever win it.
"It's going to be very interesting," Cornish said. "I think him coming out of the East is sort of a statement about how the season has played out.
"It hasn't been a typical season in terms of statistics. You have a special-teams player leading the league in receiving and you have a running back [outgaining] the longest receiver. It's very interesting."
Owens set a pro football record of 3,863 all-purpose yards. The 30-year-old Hawaii native and also led the CFL in receiving (94 catches, 1,328 yards, six TDs), kickoff returns (71 for 1,588 yards) and total return yards (2,510).
Voting was conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada and eight CFL head coaches. The award winners will be named Nov. 22 in Toronto.
Cornish and Montreal Alouettes linebacker Shea Emry, of Richmond were nominated in two categories. They're finalists for the top Canadian award, while Emry will go up against Edmonton linebacker J.C. Sherritt for outstanding defensive player honours. Sherritt had a league-record 130 tackles this season.
The other nominees include: Hamilton receiver Chris Williams and B.C.'s Tim Brown (top special-teams player); Lions' offensive lineman Jovan Olafioye and Montreal tackle Josh Bourke (outstanding lineman); and Winnipeg receiver Chris Matthews and B.C. defensive lineman Jabar Westerman (top rookie).
