WOLFVILLE, NS - With only two touchdowns scored in a low scoring affair, the unranked Acadia Axemen chopped down the Canadian Interuniversity Sport #4 ranked Saint Mary's Huskies in a 17-7 victory in front of 2300 fans at Acadia's Raymond Field. The win snaps a losing streak at home against the Huskies that dated back to Acadia's 32-24 win over Saint Mary's in the 2006 AUS Championship game.
Saint Mary's registered the first points on the opening kickoff when Brett Lauther forced Acadia to give up the single point on a 70 yard kick.
The Axemen responded back in the second quarter with two points on a given safety by the Huskies. Less than three minutes later, Acadia pivot Kyle Graves connected with receiver Stu Clow on a 22 yard pass that capped a six play, 60 yard drive to give the Axemen a 9-1 lead.
Matt Archibald added a rouge with no time remaining in the second quarter on a missed field goal from the 32 yard line to give Acadia a 10-1 advantage after one half of play.
The only points the Huskies could muster up were two third quarter field goals that brought Saint Mary's to within three late in the third frame.
Acadia's Stu Clow added his second touchdown of day on a 16 yard reception from Graves at 12:15 of the final quarter to solidify the season opening win.
Clow led the Axemen with 6 receptions for 47 yards and two majors while quarterback Kyle Graves got the job done on 15 of 30 attempts for 154 yards passing.
The Saint Mary's runningback duo of Devon Jones and Craig Leger accounted for only 100 yards rushing (54 and 46 yards respectively), while Acadia's Graves led the Axemen rush attack with 49 yards. Third year quarterback Jack Creighton was 17 for 36 attempts, offering only 151 yards in passing for Huskies.
Cameron Wade led Acadia's stingy defense with two timely interceptions as the Axemen held Saint Mary's to 258 net yards of offence. Wade's second interception of the day, deep in Huskie territory, led to Clow's final touchdown.
Head coach Jeff Cummins was happy with his team's effort and the win. "Our team played well enough to win versus a very tough opponent. We constantly preach that if you win the turnover battle, you have a great chance to win the game and we did that today. It was only one game, but it is a great start to 2010 and we will see this team 2 more times in the regular season, but we will enjoy this one today and start tomorrow looking at Bishop's"
Acadia will now prepare for the long road trip to Lennoxville, QC to take on the Bishop's Gaiters next Saturday, September 18, while the Huskies host the CIS #1 ranked Laval Rouge et Or next Saturday in Halifax.
Source:
Acadia Sports info