It was probably an easy choice.

Brandon Banks, whose career statistics continue to skyrocket, became the third Hamilton Tiger-Cat player this season to be selected as one of the CFL's Top Performers of the Week, but the first to be No. 1.

Banks, who had already been named the CFL's No. 2 Top Performer for the month of June, had three touchdowns in Hamilton's 30-23 over Calgary Saturday night at Tim Hortons Field. Two came on fourth-quarter receptions from Jeremiah Masoli, including the game-winner in the final three minutes as the Ticats pulled away for their first triumph in eight years over the Stampeders.

He also lit up the hometown crowd with a 115-yard return of Rene Paredes' wide 51-yard field goal attempt in the final minute of the first half, sending the Ticats into the intermission tied 16-16 despite being outplayed. That was the fifth time in his career that Banks had taken a missed field goal to the house, breaking a CFL record he had shared with former Toronto Argonaut Bashir Levingston. It was his second such return touchdown this year.

Banks leads the CFL in targets (50), receptions (36), receiving yards (506), yards after catch (184), total touchdowns (6) and combined yards (805). The five-foot-seven, 150-pound native of Garner, N.C., now has 50 career touchdowns (32 receiving, five rushing, seven punt returns, one kickoff return, five missed field goal returns)

Tied for fourth in Ticats career touchdowns with Dave Fleming, Banks could easily pass Garney Henley (56) and Tommy Grant (54) this season to move into second place behind Earl Winfield's 87.

In his last 19 regular-season games Banks has registered a phenomenal 17 touchdowns: 14 on passes, one on a run and two on returns.

Montreal quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., and Winnipeg running back Andrew Harris were second and third, respectively, in the Top Performer rankings for last week.

smilton@thespec.com

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