(WOLFVILLE, N.S.) - The Acadia Axemen picked up their second win of the season and improve to 2-4 with a convincing 26-4 win over the second place StFX X-Men who now drop to 3-3.
Third-year kicker Ryan Begin was successful on five field goal attempts as the Axemen scored only one major to grab the eventual victory.
All of Begin's field goals were from 31 yards out or greater, nailing his longest of 46 yards after an earlier 38-yard field goal to give Acadia a 6-0 led heading into the second quarter.
Third-year receiver Brian Jones, who finished with a team-high 66 yards in receiving, posted a 46-yard reception for the only touchdown early in the second frame. Jones' touchdown, his third of the season, was only the second play of the series that started at the Acadia 49-yard line.
With a 13-0 lead, the Axemen stretched the cushion to 19 points after two more additional field goals by Begin from the 32 and 37 yard lines. Begin's fourth field goal was setup by an Acadia blocked punt by dual-sport athlete Sean Stoqua.
The X-Men's only points came from two second-half safeties conceded by the Axemen at the eight minute mark of the third quarter and with less than a minute remaining in the game.
Begin would add a fifth and final field goal that capped a 31-yard drive that stalled at the 26-yard line to give Acadia a 24-2 lead heading into the final quarter. The Axemen picked up an additional two points on the second of two StFX conceded safeties.
While the X-Men pulled together 259 net yards on offence compared to Acadia's 195, Acadia was able to keep StFX off the scoreboard with big plays that included three interceptions by veteran fifth-year defensive back Brett Backman.
Suleiman Semalulu and Drew Morris added an interception each to a great defensive effort, while teammate Jesse St. James complemented the defensive performance with two quarterback sacks.
Head coach Jeff Cummins noted the great effort by his defence. "The defence took it upon themselves to not give up the big play and give our young quarterback an opportunity to win the game. We didn't turn the ball over on offence and we grabbed five interceptions and two blocked punts. We won all three phases of the game and the score reflected it. We gave up only two big plays on defence."
Cummins mentioned the performance of Ottawa native Thompson Richards, who was thrown in the role as the starting quarterback. The Axemen have had four quarterbacks fall out of ranks over the season including two who fell to injury before the exhibition season and two more who sit on the sidelines with undisclosed injuries.
Cummins was happy for the rookie pivot Richards. "I am very proud of our team and happy for the Thompson Richards as he returned home to Ottawa after the game for his Grandfather's funeral."
Thompson's statistics included 8-for-20 pass attempts for 81 yards, but no interceptions were recorded and several well-thrown passes were dropped.
StFX's Tivon Cook, who was replaced late in the second quarter by Dante Djan, was 9-for-24 pass attempts and was intercepted twice before being replaced. Cook returned in the fourth quarter to throw to additional interceptions.
On the ground, neither team posted impressive numbers. DeJon Lynch led the X-Men on 14 carries for 64 yards, while Axeman Zack Clarke had 15 carries for 48 net yards. Acadia out-gained StFX 124-95 net rushing yards.
The Axemen will remain at home for homecoming next weekend as they host the undefeated and first-place Mount Allison Mounties, while the X-Men host the winless Saint Mary's Huskies.
The last time both the Mounties and Axemen met, in the season opener in Sackville, N.B., Mount Allison edged Acadia 20-12.
Source: Acadia Sports Information