Huskies double Gaitors 18-9 in AUS football

(HALIFAX, N.S.)—It was not pretty but to the U Sports No. 6-ranked Saint Mary's Huskies, a win is a win.

SMU doubled-up the visiting Bishop's Gaiters 18-9 on Saturday afternoon in Atlantic University Sport football action from Huskies Stadium.

The Huskies racked up 328 yards in total offence—down from their conference leading 411.8 yards per game—as neither team managed an offensive touchdown with both majors coming off turnovers.

Saint Mary's opened the scoring in the second quarter when defensive back Adrian Greene (Toronto, Ont.) gobbled up a Gaiter's fumble and trotted 65 yards for the score as Brian Hope's (Port Coquitlan, BC) point after gave the Huskies a 7-0 lead with 10:44 left in the half.

After exchanging possessions, SMU was pinned deep at their own nine-yard line when QB Kaleb Scott's (Mount Albert, Ont.) pass was intercepted by Bishop's Aaron Franklin (West Covina, California) and returned 15 yards for the touchdown as the Gaiters drew even, 7-7 with 8:23 left in the half.

Saint Mary's, forced to play for field position with 3:41 left in the half, gave up a safety and trailed Bishop's 9-7 at half. 

Hope added two field goals in the third quarter, good from 43 and 20 yards out, and a Bishop's safety gave SMU a 15-9 cushion after three quarters.

Hope's third field goal from 30 yards iced the victory in the fourth quarter as the Huskies held-on for the 18-9 victory. 

SMU's Scott finished with 238 passing yards and two interceptions on 15-36 pass attempts while Stephen Casey (Boucherville, Que.) threw 214 yards for Bishop's. 

The Huskies improve to 6-0 while Bishop's falls to 0-6 on the year.

Both teams return to action next weekend when Bishops visit the Acadia Axemen and SMU hosts the 2-3 Mount Allison Mounties in their homecoming game.

Dominic Nolasco, SMU Communications

Photo Nick Pearce