Huskie Kodejs kicks three unanswered field goals in second half for win

WOLFVILLE, N.S. - A game of field goals was won by Huskie Chase Kodejs. The rookie kicker put three field goals through the uprights in the second half to bring Saint Mary's back from a 9-0 deficit after one half of play.

Axeman Ryan Begin nailed three field goals in the first half, but Kodejs would have the last crack at winning the game following a team safety early in the second half.

Kodejs scored his first of three field goals from the 37 yard line, followed by a 12 yard kick for three at the seven minute mark of the third quarter. The 37 yard field goal came at the expense of a fumbled punt return recovered by Saint Mary's at Acadia's 38 yard line.

Kodejs' last field goal, the eventual game winner, ended a 44 yard drive that fell short due to one of several Acadia defensive stands.

The game didn't finish without controversy. Acadia's last possession before the end of the half, with a 9-0 lead over the Huskies, resulted in an inadvertent whistle that pulled back the only touchdown of the game.

After Evan Brown found Taylor Renaud on a 29 yard pass, the play was whistled  dead at the same time as the official pulled out a flag for pass interference on the play. The touchdown was called back to the point of the Huskie infraction. With an opportunity to pull out to a 13-0 lead at the half, the Axemen settled for a 32 yard field goal by Begin.

On the last play of the half, Acadia returner Scott Kelly returned a 51 yard Kodejs punt, 87 yards to the Huskie eight yard line with no time remaining on the clock to end the first half.

Begin was good for all three of his attempts, with all field goals scored in the first half including a 30 yard field goal in the first quarter, followed by a 35 yard and the 32 yarder to end the half.

Both Kodejs and Begin were named the players of the game in a low offensive producing game. Saint Mary's edged Acadia 222 to 198 in net offensive yards, while pivot Jack Creighton led the Huskies with 10 completions in 18 attempts for 98 yards.

Acadia's Evan Brown was eight for 22 for 108 yards. Axeman Taylor Renaud posted a game high 66 yards in receiving on five catches, while Huskie Mike Dawes rushed for a game high of 80 net yards on 17 carries.

Head Coach Jeff Cummins was frustrated with the result but acknowledged that his team played a good first half. "We moved the ball effectively in the first half and our defense continued to stymie Saint Mary's. We need to be more consistent and finish what we started, in this case, play a complete game".

The Huskies improve to 4-2 with a three game winning streak that followed their loss to the last place Mount Allison Mounties. The defending AUS Champion Axemen drop to 2-4 and will remain home next weekend against StFX, with hopes in ending their two game slide.  StFX is at Mount Allison tomorrow (Sat.) with an eye on improving to 4-2 and remaining in the hunt for first place.