StFX tops SMU 33-9 in AUS Loney Bowl

(HALIFAX, N.S.)—On a rainy afternoon at Huskies Stadium, the Saint Francis Xavier University X-Men topped the Saint Mary's Huskies to win the AUS conference championship 33-9.  

Running back Jordan Socholotiuk (Waterford, ON) gained 179 yards on 34 carries for StFX and was named AUS Loney Bowl MVP for his efforts.

StFX opened up the scoring 3-0 in on a 32-yard field goal from Keiran Burnham (Cambridge, ON) with 10:25 left in the first quarter. The X-Men added a 1-yard touchdown run from Bailey Wasdal (Calgary, AB) ending a seven play, 50-yard drive and StFX led 10-0 with 5:03 in the opening quarter.

Both teams added points in the second quarter—with StFX adding an early team safety and Brian Hope (Port Coquitlan, BC) kicking a 25-yard field goal for SMU—with 15 seconds left in the half. StFX led 12-3 at the half.

The third quarter saw no score and the X-Men took their 12-3 lead into the fourth quarter.

StFX started the fourth quarter with the ball and took matters and the game into their own hands.

Facing a 3^rd and 4 from Saint Mary's 12-yard line, Gregg Anderson (Sharon, ON) took the ball from the holder and scampered 12-yards for the touchdown on the fake field goal call and the X-Men led 19-3 with 13:18 left in the quarter.

StFX added to their lead with a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown from Dylan Bell (Brockville, ON) and Wasdal added another touchdown from two yards out and StFX led 33-3 with 2:40 left in the game.

The Huskies added a late touchdown on a 5-yard pass from Kaleb Scott (Mount Albert, ON) to AUS rookie of the ear Shedler Fervius (Toronto, ON) as the Huskies trailed 33-9 after driving 82-yards in eight plays as the 2-point conversion failed with 1:08 left.

Wasdal finished with 33 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns.

Scott completed 19 of 33 passes for 208 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions while Fervius caught eight passes for 83 yards and one touchdown.

AUS defensive player of the year and SMU linebacker Brad Herbst (Ottawa, ON) finished with 7.5 total tackles.

StFX moves on to play Laval in the Uteck Bowl.

Dominic Nolasco

Photo Nick Pearce