(HALIFAX, N.S.) In week 5 of AUS football action, STFX's Zachary Houde and Ben Hadley, along with Bishop's Yani Gouadfel, have been recognized for their outstanding play as the AUS football players of the week.
Offensive Player of the Week
Name: Zachary Houde
University: S. Francis Xavier University
Position: Receiver
Hometown: Thetford Mines, Que.
Year of eligibility: Second
Academic program: BSc
Height and weight: 6'1", 183lbs
STFX X-Men receiver Zachary Houde is the Atlantic University Sport football offensive player of the week for the week ending Sept. 24, 2023.
A third-year science student in his second year of eligibility from Thetford Mines, Que., Houde scored two touchdowns Friday in STFX's 51-21 home win over the Saint Mary's Huskies.
He had touchdown catches from 30 and 23 yards and was named Player of the Game for his efforts.
Houde had five receptions in the win for 141 total yards, averaging 28.2 yards per catch. He currently boasts a U SPORTS-leading receiving average of 123.0 yards per game.
Defensive Player of the Week
Name: Yani Gouadfel
University: Bishop's University
Position: Defensive back
Hometown: Mitry-Mory, France
Year of eligibility: Third
Academic program: Economics
Height and weight: 6'3", 200lbs
Bishop's Gaiters defensive back Yani Gouadfel has been named the AUS football defensive player of the week.
A third-year economics student from Mitry-Mory, France, Gouadfel had a career day on Saturday in the Gaiters' 18-10 win over Mount Allison in Sackville, N.B. He was part of the key play of the game when he picked up a fumble and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
The starting safety doubled down on his performance when he hauled in his U SPORTS-leading third interception of the year with 16 seconds remaining and the Mounties facing 3rd and goal from the two-yard line.
He ended the game with four solo tackles, including one for a loss, plus the pick and fumble recovery.
Gouadfel doubles as the Gaiters' punter. He punted nine times averaging 41.3 yards, had a long of 60 and two inside the 20-yard line.
Special Teams Player of the Week
Name: Ben Hadley
University: St. Francis Xavier University
Position: Kicker/Punter
Hometown: Halifax, N.S.
Year of eligibility: Fourth
Academic program: BBA
Height and weight: 6'2", 190lbs
STFX X-Men kicker Ben Hadley is the AUS football special teams player of the week for the week ending Sept. 24, 2023.
A fourth-year business student from Halifax, N.S., Hadley scored 21 points in the X-Men's 51-21 win over Saint Mary's on Friday.
He kicked three field goals—from 25, nine and 33 yards—and made good on six point-after attempts.
He also rushed for a five-yard touchdown off a fake field goal attempt for STFX's first major score of the game.
Hadley's stats also included seven kickoffs for 447 yards, averaging 63.9 yards per kick. He currently leads the AUS with an 86% kicking average with 12 field goals and 48 points on the season.