(LENNOXVILLE, QUE.) Noah Laursen's school-record five field goals and Louis-Phillipe Gregoire's 176 yards on 23 carries led the Bishop's Gaiters past the Saint Mary's Huskies 23-15 on Friday night on Coulter Field.
The victory is Bishop's first over the Huskies since their move to the AUS. It moves them to 4-3 and in solo second place in the conference, while the Huskies drop to 3-3.
Bishop's gobbled up the opportunity early on as they marched seven plays and 81 yards to score on their opening drive, when quarterback Charles Aubry hooked up with fellow freshman Nathan Lupien for a 24-yard catch and run.
Laursen kicked his first field goal on the next drive, a 37 yarder, to put Bishop's up 10-0. The Huskies replied with a field goal of their own as the first quarter wound down to cut the Bishop's lead to 10-3 after 15 minutes.
Justin Julien picked off Aubry and returned it 61 yards for the pick-six to even the score at 10, 11:32 into the 2nd. Bishop's responded on eight plays and 60 yards and Laursen kicked a 28-yard field goal to give Bishop's a 13-10 halftime advantage.
The third frame saw Laursen kick his third field goal of the night, this one from 21 yards for the only score. The Huskies appeared to be marching in for a major, when Aarron Franklin picked off Huskies' pivot Joshua Shim in the end zone and returned it 51 yards to give Bishop's instant field position.
The first play of the fourth was Laursen's only missed field goal but resulted in a rouge. Bishop's conceded a safety but held a 17-10 advantage early in the quarter. The Gaiters' defense held strong following a SMU 9-play, 60-yard drive that resulted in a Brian Hope 22-yard field goal for the visitors.
Gregoire took over late. Laursen kicked a 31-yard field goal with 2:18 left to extend the advantage to 20-15. Antoine Walker-Graham came up with a huge sack on the ensuing drive to force a Huskies' punt and when Gregorie broke free for 38 yards. Laursen's fifth field goal, a 13-yarder, set the school record.
The Huskies were able to cross midfield in a short timeframe, but were unable to find the end zone the Gaiters got the win 23-15.
Aubry finished the day 15-28 for 190 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Gregoire 176 yards led the Gaiters ground game while Ossohou finished with 10 rushes for 63 yards.
The Huskies were penalized 17 yards for 145 yards while Bishop's committed eight fouls that cost them 91 yards.
Brian Hope added two field goals and needs two more to tie Justin Palardy's AUS record of 65.
Next up the Gaiters travel to Sackville, N.B. for a tilt with the Mount Allison Mounties (2-4) and Saint Mary's travels to Acadia for a tilt with the league leading and undefeated Axemen.
Recap and Photo, Bishops Communications