Halifax, N.S.– On an afternoon that saw two rivals clash in AUS football action the Saint Mary's Huskies play host to the Acadia University Axemen in the second game of a back o back, home and home series.
In front of a Covid capacity crowd at Huskies Stadium for Homecoming weekend, the game saw the Huskies defense keep them in the game throughout the half.
The Axemen opened the scoring on a 24-yard field goal from kicker Ben George as they moved the ball into the Huskies end.
As the young Huskies offence looked to find their rhythm the Acadia defense forced the tide of the game throughout the half. Their offense put together a drive on a short field that culminated with a Duncan Patterson 27 yard toss to Julien Porier-McKiggan mid-way through the quarter to put them up 10-0 with the George convert.
The Axemen built on their lead to close the half with a 37-yard field goal from George to enter the locker room up 13-0.
The defensive struggle continued in the second half with both teams trading punts in the opening minute.
The Huskies special teams took charge at the 9-minute mark of the third quarter to put the Huskies on the board with a touchdown on a blocked kick recovery from Treh Bullar (Surrey BC / Arts). Owen MacRae (Halifax / Science) converted to pull the Huskies within a score.
The Huskies' defense held the Axemen a bay in the final quarter surrendering a rouge on a missed FG attempt by George increasing the Acadia lead to 14-7.
The Huskies we looking to pull even late in the game as they had three tries to even the score in the final minute from the Acadia 12 yard line; only to be stopped by the stingy Axemen defense who held on for the 14-7 victory.
Statistical leaders for the contest were Acadia's Duncan Patterson who was 10 for 22 for 86 yards with a touchdown while Cole Estabrooks gained 63 yards on 18 carries. For the Huskies Brett Maisonneuve (Gatineau QC / Arts) was 9 for 15 for 88 yards while A'Dre Simmonds (east Preston NS / Arts) peeled off 72 yards on 20 carries.
Defensively Acadia was led by AUS Subway Player of the Game Kameron Bell who finished with 8.5 tackles including 7 solos while Jake Battenfielder (Redwater AB / Arts) led the Huskies with 7.5 tackles.
Up next for the Huskies (1-2) will be the Bishops University Gaiters as they travel to La Belle Province for an October 8 contest in Lennoxville.
The Axemen (1-2) have a bye next week and return home on October 16 to host those same Gaiters.
Source: SMU Huskies