(WOLFVILLE, N.S.) - The Acadia Axemen posted their second win in a row, improving to 2-2 after a winless start against Saint Mary's and Laval in weeks one and two.
For the second consecutive game, the Axemen scored 40 points, this time handing the now1-3 Mount Allison Mounties a 40-9 loss.
And for the second game in a row, senior defensive halfback Brett Backman added a major to the scoreboard on an interception return. Backman scored a 74-yard touchdown last week against StFX and this weekend added a 55-yard return for six points to his season total.
Acadia struck first with no time remaining in the first quarter on a fake field goal. Place holder Scott Kelly launched a quick pass across the middle that turned into a 34-yard catch and run by Brayden Guy for the first of five Acadia touchdowns.
Backman's 55-yard interception return, just over a minute into the second quarter, gave the Axemen a quick 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.
Mount Allison didn't give in to the early lead, adding three Renaud Lebrecque field goals from the 17, 13 and 14 yard lines. In all, the Mounties compiled 198 net yards offence in one half, compared to Acadia's 137 yards. Brandon Leyh, named the Mounties' Subway Player of the Game, was 17-34 for 220 yards passing in the first half alone.
With an added 37-yard field goal by Acadia's Ryan Begin before the end of the first half, the Axemen went to the dressing room with a 17-9 lead.
When the Mounties failed to pick up a first down at their own 54-yard line, following a third down and thirteen scenario, the Axemen capitalized on the failed Mount Allison drive. A 35-yard rush by Zack Skibin set up the 19-yard strike from receiver Scott Kelly that found quarterback Evan Brown, pushing the lead to 24-9 early in the third frame.
An early fourth quarter Acadia safety (a Mountie 10-yard loss on a rush) advanced the Axemen to a 26-9 advantage. With just over five minutes remaining in the final frame, Subway Player of the Game Zack Skibin punched in for a four-yard touchdown to give the Axemen a well-padded 33-9 lead. Skibin finished the night with 13 carries for 105 yards - 83 yards of which came in the second half on nine carries.
In the closing two minutes of the game, senior receiver Taylor Renaud scored only his second touchdown of the season on a 29-yard pass from backup pivot Darcy Lavoie that capped a five-play, 53-yard drive that began on a Mountie turn-over on downs. Mount Allison was 0-6 on third down conversions while the Axemen gambled six times and were successful on four.
Acadia pulled together 429 net yards on offence and possessed the ball for just over 35 minutes, while the Mounties posted 357 net yards with only 72 yards on the ground. Starting pivot Evan Brown was 16 for 34 with 191 yards in the air for Acadia. Brandon Leyh was 26 for 51 for 278 yards and was sacked six times.
The Mounties leading rusher, Jordan Botel, was reduced to 25 net yards on seven carries. Acadia's Taylor Renaud was the game's leading receiver with 83 yards on seven receptions, while Mountie Rodreke Joseph was Mount Allison's top receiver with 69 yards on eight receptions before leaving the game in the third quarter with a suspected concussion following a hard hit by Acadia's defensive secondary.
Acadia will set their sights on next Saturday afternoon's rematch against the Saint Mary's Huskies. The Axemen lost the season opener 14-11 at Huskie Stadium four weeks ago. The Huskies are 2-2 after their recent win against StFX.
Currently the AUS football standings show a three-way tie for top spot including Saint Mary's, StFX and Acadia, with Mount Allison holding onto a 1-3 record. The Mounties find themselves on the road again next weekend at StFX.
Source: Acadia Sport Information