Gaiters defeat Huskies 25-22 in 3OT Loney Bowl thriller
Posted: Nov 09, 2024

Gaiters defeat Huskies 25-22 in 3OT Loney Bowl thriller

Game Leaders
Bishop's
Pa: Justin Quirion - 187
Ru: David Chaloux - 160
Rec: Nykolas Pierre-Masse - 50
Saint Mary's
Pa: Allan Young - 101
Ru: Malik Williams - 66
Rec: Trydell Mintis - 74
Team Stats

LENNOXVILLE, QC – The Bishop's Gaiters won their first Atlantic University Sport football championship, defeating the Saint Mary's Huskies 25-22 in a triple overtime thriller in the to win the 2024 AUS Loney Bowl presented by Bell, on Saturday afternoon at Coulter Field in Lennoxville, QC.

Gaiters kicker Xavier Gervais (Ottawa, ON) hit a 25-yard field goal to seal the win in a wild back-and-forth match-up that saw the Huskies erase a 13-3 lead to force overtime late.

It was the Gaiters who would take the lead early, with Gervais nailing a 27-yard field goal on their second drive, giving the hosts a 3-0 lead. Saint Mary's showed some offensive spark with running back Malik Williams (Ajax, ON) breaking off a 20-yard run, but the Gaiters defence forced a punt, and 3-0 remained the difference after the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, the Huskies defence made the first of several game-changing plays, as defensive back Isaiah Atkins (Los Angeles, CA) picked up a fumble and sprinted 56-yards into Gaiters territory. That set up a 17-yard field goal for kicker Adam Johnston (Rothesay, NB) to tie the game at 3-3.

Saint Mary's defence forced another turnover several drives later, as a big hit from defensive lineman Liam MacDonald (Winnipeg, MB) was recovered by all-star halfback Max Van Nieuwkoop (Burlington, ON), but the Huskies offence wasn't able to take advantage.

Gervais' second field goal of the game, this time from 20-yards out, gave the Gaiters a 6-3 lead going into halftime.

The defensive battle continued into the third quarter, with both teams struggling to move the ball. That was until Bishop's running back David Chaloux (Saint-Charles-Boromée, QC) broke away for a 57-yard rushing touchdown, the first major score of the game, giving Bishop's a 13-3 lead 7:58 into the third quarter.

On the ensuing kick-off, Huskies returner Joshua Jack (Brampton, ON) scampered for a 43-yard return, but Gaiters defensive back Alex MacDonald (Eastern Passage, NS) picked off Huskies quarterback Allan Young (Halifax, NS) to end the Huskies threat, and the Gaiters held the 13-3 advantage into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter began with Johnston hitting a 42-yard field goal to cut the lead to 13-6.

On the first play of the Gaiters drive, Liam MacDonald forced his second fumble of the day, this one recovered by lineman Aiden Hennessey, which led to another Johnston field goal from 42-yards out cutting the Bishop's lead to 13-9.

After Saint Mary's forced a Gaiters punt, Young threw a pass that was deflected twice but somehow ended up in the hands of Huskies receiver Trydell Mintis (Halifax, NS) for a miraculous 28-yard gain.

That set up a two-yard plunge into the endzone by Young, giving the Huskies their first lead of the day, 16-13, with 5:46 remaining in regulation.

Saint Mary's defence continued to make big plays, forcing a turnover on downs, but the Gaiters got the ball back and marched into Huskies territory. With under a minute remaining and the Gaiters inside the Huskies 20-yard line, defensive tackle Payton O'Connor (Lumsden, SK) forced a fumble, giving Saint Mary's possession.

With 48 seconds remaining and their backs against the wall, it was the Gaiters turn to make a big play, as defensive lineman Gabriel Royer, the 2022 AUS Defensive Player of the Year, stripped Huskies running back Malik Williams and Bishop's recovered, setting up Gervais' game-tying 16-yard field goal to tie the game at 16-16 and force overtime.

The two teams traded field goals in overtime – first it was Johnston from 38-yards out, but Gervais responded with a 17-yard make, forcing a second OT period.

Once again, the teams traded field goals, Gervais hitting from 21-yards, and Johnston responding with a 17-yard field goal, his fifth make of the day.

In the third overtime period, Royer made another big play, stopping Williams for a two-yard loss, setting up a difficult 44-yard field goal for Johnston that he missed. The Gaiters took over and Chaloux broke off an 18-yard run, before Gervais hit a 25-yard game-winning field goal, securing Bishop's first Loney Bowl championship and sending the Coulter Field crowd into hysterics.

David Chaloux was named game MVP and hoisted the Don Loney Memorial Trophy.  He finished with 20 carries for 160 yards a touchdown. Gervais finished 6-for-6 on field goals.

AUS Defensive Player of the Year Alex MacDonald led the way for the Bishop's defense with 8.5 tackles including 1.5 for a loss. He also had a pass breakup and an interception. Gabriel Royer had eight tackles, half a sack and the massive forced fumble.

For Saint Mary's, quarterback Allan Young went 11-29 for 101 yards and three interceptions.  He added the Huskies lone touchdown with his legs. His favourite target was Trydell Mintis who caught eight of those passes including a wild double deflection to set up the Saint Mary's touchdown at the 9:14 mark of the fourth quarter to give SMU the lead.

Saturday's Loney Bowl was the third AUS Championship to go into extra time and first since 2017. It was the first to go three extra periods.

Bishop's will face the OUA Champion Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks in the Uteck Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 16.  Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. EST.

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics