Late field goals give Axemen comeback win over Gaiters

A pair of fourth-quarter field goals by Jarett Saumure gave the Acadia University Axemen a 27-24, come-from-behind victory over the Bishop’s University Gaiters in Atlantic University Sport football action at Coulter Field in Lennoxville, Oct. 7.

The rookie place kicker from Timberlea, NS connected on a 10-yarder with 4:51 left to tie the game, and his 21-yarder with 1:55 left put the visitors ahead, capping an Acadia comeback from 24-12 down in the third quarter.

The Axemen got off to a quick start, as they blocked the Gaiters first punt of the game, and took possession on the Bishop’s 47. Four plays later, a five-yard run by Dale Wright put the visitors up 6-0 with only 1:38 gone in the contest. The teams traded field goals later in the quarter, and a late safety touch gave Acadia an 11-3 lead after 15 minutes.

Playing with the wind in the second quarter, the Gaiters offence under rookie quarterback Stephen Casey started to find its footing. Vincent Dubé connected on a pair of field goals to cut the margin to 11-9. The Gaiters finally found pay dirt with 53 seconds left in period, as Casey, making his first career start, scampered on a 44-yard touchdown run. His run put the Gaiters on top, 16-11, for the first time in the game. A kickoff single by Kevin Simard and one on a missed field goal by Saumure rounded out the first half scoring, as the Gaiters took a 17-12 lead into the break.

Acadia (4-2) is back in action Oct. 14, when they host the STFX X-men.