X-Men defeat Huskies 19-17
Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
StFX (2-2) | 3 | 0 | 10 | 6 | 19 | |
Saint Mary's (2-2) | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
StFX
Game Statistics | StFX | Saint Mary's |
---|---|---|
Passing Yards | 317 | 71 |
Rushing Yards | 138 | 163 |
Turnovers | 5 | 3 |
Time of Poss. | 34:32 | 25:28 |
HALIFAX, NS – STFX X-Men kicker Ben Hadley kicked a last-minute field goal to secure a X-Men comeback win, 19-17 over the Saint Mary's Huskies on Friday night in front of 1561 fans at Huskies Stadium in Halifax.
The first half was a defensive battle, with the two opponents combining to force five turnovers. On the opening drive, the X-Men were able to march 75 yards down the field to set up a 19-yard field goal from kicker Ben Hadley (Halifax, NS) to put them ahead 3-0 with 10:13 remaining in the first quarter.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) September 20, 2024
Cherokee Robinson makes something out of nothing to keep the Huskies drive going! X-Men lead 3-0 after the first quarter of play. pic.twitter.com/4dtjgKc20v
That would be all the scoring in the first quarter, as both teams made some outstanding defensive plays, including a pair of interceptions from STFX defensive backs Logan Ritchie (Winnipeg, MB) and Naijaun David (Dartmouth, NS).
In the second quarter, X-Men quarterback Silas Fagnan (Bonnyville, AB) was able to orchestrate a drive all the way to the Huskies 19-yard line, but Huskies defensive back Logan Mendes (Quispamsis, NB) made a huge defensive play on an interception in the end zone.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) September 20, 2024
Logan Mendes with the interception in the end zone to end the X-Men scoring threat! STFX still up 3-0 midway through the second quarter. pic.twitter.com/xR60ePcTmA
After a Huskies three-and-out, the X-Men took over with good field position, but another interception by Mendes and a 49-yard return brought the ball all the way back to the X-Men eight yard line.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) September 20, 2024
Logan Mendes does it again!!! His second interception of the quarter and a 49-yard return to give the Huskies excellent field position! pic.twitter.com/HPoviFQ6YN
After a seven-yard rush from running back Malik Williams (Ajax, ON), Huskies quarterback Michael Petroschke (Toronto, ON) plunged into the end zone to put the Huskies in front 7-3, with 2:54 remaining in the second quarter.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) September 20, 2024
Michael Petroschke plunges in to the end zone for a two-yard touchdown to put the Huskies ahead 7-3 late in the second quarter! pic.twitter.com/hcQ14uVs0Y
The Huskies once again made a great defensive play to get the ball back, as defensive back Isaiah Atkins (Los Angeles, CA) forced a fumble, setting up a 42-yard field goal from kicker Adam Johnston, extending their lead to 10-3 at the half.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) September 20, 2024
Adam Johnston is AUTOMATIC! Nails a 43-yard field goal to give Saint Mary's a 10-3 lead at the half! pic.twitter.com/8HV8QnVME2
STFX opened up the third quarter with a 85-yard drive, capped off by a 13-yard touchdown pass to receiver Caleb Tremblay (Fredericton, NB), tying the game at 10-10. Saint Mary's struggled to move the chains in the third quarter, with X-Men linebacker Owen Watrych (Yorkton, SK) intercepting Petroschke to set up an 18-yard field goal from Hadley, as the X-Men took a 13-10 lead into the final quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Huskies defence made another big play, with defensive back Max Van Nieuwkoop (Burlington, ON) stripping X-Men running back Caleb Fogarty (Moncton, NB).
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) September 21, 2024
Max van Nieuwkoop forces the fumble as the Huskies take over possession in the fourth quarter! pic.twitter.com/0dWfWr12ob
Saint Mary's took over at the STFX 31-yard line, and it took just two rushes from Malik Williams to get into the end zone and retake the lead 17-13 with 11:53 remaining in regulation.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) September 21, 2024
Malik Williams with a great 19-yard touchdown rush to give the Huskies a 17-10 lead in the fourth quarter! pic.twitter.com/6D0zpRw8zy
The X-Men were able to force a Huskies three-and-out and after Fagnan hit receiver Tyler Ivany (Moncton, NB) on a 21-yard completion, Hadley drilled a 24-yard field goal to cut the lead to 17-16 with 5:23 remaining.
Saint Mary's struggled to get their offence going, and the X-Men forced another three-and-out, giving them the ball back with 2:59 remaining. That's when STFX's running game came alive, as running backs Caleb Fogary and Giancarlo Wylie (Calgary, AB) combined to rush for 43 yards on the final drive, setting up a 34-yard field goal attempt from Hadley, who split the uprights to put the X-Men ahead 19-17 with just 49 seconds remaining.
Saint Mary's was unable to find any connections down field and the clock ran out with the X-Men securing their second straight win, 19-17.
X-Men receiver Caleb Tremblay was named Player of the Game with nine receptions for 188 yards and a touchdown. Silas Fagnan completed 22 of 40 attempts for 317 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions and Caleb Fogary led the ground attack with 91 yards on 15 carries.
For the Huskies, Malik Williams had a huge day rushing the ball with 113 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. Petroschke completed seven of 14 attempts for 71 yards and three interceptions, with Cherokee Robinson leading all pass catchers with three receptions for 42 yards.
Defensively, Saint Mary's was led by linebacker Dawson Puk (Kelowna, BC) with 6.5 tackles, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup, while defensive back Logan Mendes hauled in two interceptions and added three tackles. The X-Men defence was led by Owen Watrych who stuffed the stat-sheet with 6.5 tackles, an interception and a sack.
The X-Men win improves their record to 2-2 on the season. They'll head into the bye next weekend, with their next action coming at home on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. AT as they host the league-leading Bishop's Gaiters (3-0) in Antigonish, NS.
The loss drops the Huskies record to 2-2 on the campaign. They'll be on the road next week, visiting the league-leading Bishop's Gaiters (3-0) on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. AT in Lennoxville, QC.
Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics