Huskies defeat Axemen 41-33 in overtime thriller
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | 2OT | 3OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saint Mary's (1-1) | 13 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 41 |
|
Acadia (0-2) | 0 | 8 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 33 |
Saint Mary's quarterback Michael Petroschke scored a one-yard rushing touchdown in triple overtime to lift the Huskies to a 41-33 win over the Acadia Axemen on Saturday afternoon at Raymond Field in Wolfville, N.S.
The Huskies used a strong rushing attack, with running backs Nicholas Park (Brampton, ON) and Liam Legge (Stewiacke, NS) combining for 219 yards on the ground, and some clutch special team plays, with kicker Adam Johnston nailing five of six field goal attempts, including a 47-yarder to take the lead in the first overtime period.
The Huskies opened up a 13-0 first quarter lead, with quarterback Michael Petroschke (Toronto, ON) finding receiver Trydell Mintis (Halifax, NS) for a three-yard major, bookended by a pair of 37-yard field goals from Johnston.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) August 31, 2024
Michael Petroschke finds Trydell Mintis for the three-yard touchdown reception! Huskies take a 10-0 lead in the first quarter!
Watch live: https://t.co/EYiaR8n5MD pic.twitter.com/efqPZCpGjb
But the Axemen responded with eight unanswered points in the second quarter, cutting the lead to 13-8 at the half.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) August 31, 2024
Max Van Nieuwkoop with the interception and a nice return to set up excellent field position late in the first half!
Watch live: https://t.co/EYiaR8nDCb pic.twitter.com/y2JFGNr4p0
In the third quarter, the Huskies extended their lead by capitalizing on strong field position on both sides of the football, with Johnston hitting a 15-yard field goal, and the defence forcing a pair of safeties, giving Saint Mary's a 20-8 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Huskies lead could have been larger, but running backs Nicholas Park and Reece Wyke (Winnipeg, MB) both lost costly fumbles at the Acadia two-yard line, and it was another Huskies turnover on the opening drive of the fourth quarter that would give the home team another life, as Acadia defensive back Ewan MacKeen (Halifax, NS) picked off Petroschke and returned it 52-yards to the end zone to cut the lead to 20-15.
Johnston's fourth field goal of the afternoon - this time from 31 yards - extend the Huskies lead to 23-15, but Acadia backup quarterback Riley Naujoks (Winnipeg, MB) was able to orchestrate a drive into Huskies territory, and found receiver Dylan Patterson (Bedford, NS) for an 18-yard touchdown with under a minute remaining. Patterson then threw a two-point conversion to Luke McMillan (Winnipeg, MB) to tie the score at 23-23 with just 52 seconds remaining in regulation.
With neither team able to score in the final regulation time, the game went to overtime where the teams matched their scoring attempts twice to start. Adam Johnston's 47-yard field goal on the first possession forced Acadia to score, which was matched by a 19-yard field goal by Nick Swain (Moncton, NB).
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) August 31, 2024
ADAM JOHNSTON HAS ICE IN HIS VEINS! The kicker hits his fifth field goal of the day - from a season long 47-yards - to put the Huskies ahead 26-23 in overtime! pic.twitter.com/s6FsZ3G1PR
On the second possession it was Luke McMillan catching a 13-yard pass with an extra point kick by Swain to put the pressure on the Huskies. Nicholas Park answered with Saint Mary's touchdown on a 10-yard run, followed by Johnston's extra point kick.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) August 31, 2024
Nicholas Park plunges into the end zone and the Huskies tie it up once again, 33-33 in overtime! pic.twitter.com/umAfvBcYsH
The third possession saw the Huskies clinch the game, with Michael Petroschke pushing it in for a one-yard touchdown, followed by a two-point conversion. Acadia couldn't answer, giving Saint Mary's their first victory of the season.
Petroschke threw for 229 yards and one touchdown in the Huskies win. He was 18-for-29, throwing one interception and adding 31 yards on seven rushes, including the game-winning touchdown.
Riley Naujoks and Nick Kennedy (Calgary, AB) each threw for over 100 yards for Acadia, with Naujoks throwing 117 yards and two touchdowns. Kennedy threw for 102.
On the ground, Huskies second year running back Nicholas Park had a breakout game with 137 yards and one touchdown on 26 attempts, while first year Liam Legge chipped in an efficient 82 yards on 13 rushes.
Luke McMillan led all pass catchers with 90 yards and a touchdown, while the Huskies receiving corps was led by Brycen Mayoh (Port Coquitlam, BC) with 71 yards on three receptions, and Trydell Mintis' 60 yards on eight receptions including a touchdown.
Defensively, Saint Mary's was led by veteran linebackers Isaiah Okoli (Surrey, BC) and Dawson Puk (Kelowna, BC) who each recorded seven tackles, while defensive back Max Van Nieuwkoop (Burlington, ON) had an interception and 3.5 tackles.
With the win, the Huskies improve to 1-1 on the campaign. They'll hit the road next weekend to face the Mount Allison Mounties (1-0) on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Sackville, N.B.
The Acadia loss drops them to 0-2 on the season. They'll head to Antigonish, N.S. next weekend to take on the STFX X-Men (0-1) on Saturday afternoon.
Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Peter Oleskevich / Acadia Athletics
