Football Axemen edge Mounties 25-24 to improve to 2-0

SACKVILLE, N.S. - The Acadia Axemen defeated the Mount Allison Mounties 25-24 in AUS Football action in Sackville on Saturday afternoon, snapping the Mounties' 12 game winning streak that dated back into the fall of 2014.

The Mounties, playing their first home game on their new turf field, led throughout most of the afternoon until Acadia scored with a minute remaining to take the lead on a 53 yard reception and run by fourth year receiver Brian Jones.  Mounties kicker Ryan Lambert attempted a 48 yard field goal with 20 seconds remaining but the kick sailed wide right. 

The two-time defending AUS Champion Mounties started quickly, striking on a blocked punt just 4 minutes into the game.  With Acadia backed up inside their own 10 the Mounties were able to block Colin Murney's punt and Quinn LeBlanc jumped on the loose ball in the end zone to put the Mounties up 7-0.  

Acadia responded before the end of the 1st quarter with an 80 yard drive that ended with a Thomas Troop 8 yard touchdown.  Colin Murney added a rouge point late in the 1st quarter to give Acadia an 8-7 lead. With six minutes remaining in the first half Mounties quarterback Brandon Leyh quick kicked a ball through the Acadia end zone to even the score at 8-8.

The Mounties then exploded for 9 points in the final minute of the first half, first with Acadia conceded a safety.  Shortly after, Mountie Kyle Horsman blocked a Murney punt to give the Mounties great field position.  After a 32 yard completion to Dakota Brush, Brandon Leyh found Christian Plante in the end zone for a 1 yard touchdown.  This brought the score to 18-10 for the Mounties at halftime. 

With 8 minutes into the 3rd quarter Acadia quarterback Cody Cluett hit Eli Prochnau for a 76 yard touchdown to bring the score to 18-15.  Acadia then forced a Mounties safety before the Mounties responded with a 32 yard field goal from Ryan Lambert.

With the score 21-17, the Mounties defence forced a fumble and used good field position to add another Lambert field goal, this time from 25 yards. The Mounties continued to lead 24-17 until taking a safety with 2 minutes to play. On the ensuing possession Cluett found Brian Jones for a 53 yard touchdown to give Acadia a 25-24 lead.

 The Mounties had one last chance when kicker Ryan Lambert attempted a 48 yard field goal with 22 second remaining but the kick sailed wide right. Brandon Leyh was 27 of 36 for 195 yards and 1 touchdown for the Mounties.  

Axemen head coach Jeff Cummins summarized an up and down day with few words. "We did enough to win, even when it seemed like we were trying not too. The players battled through the adversity and for a second week proved to me that you can't count them out, ever"

Acadia quarterback Cody Cluett was 20 of 34 for 278 yards and 2 touchdowns. Coming up in week 3 of AUS action will be the interlock week with the RSEQ.  Mount Allison will play home to Sherbrook for Homecoming while Acadia travels to McGill.  

Submitted by Mount Allison Sports Information