CIS #6 X-Men remain undefeated with 21-10 win over Acadia

WOLFVILLE, NS - The CIS #6 ranked StFX X-Men remain as one of only two undefeated CIS teams in the country (Queen’s is 5-0) heading into week six of the AUS regular season schedule. The X-Men improve to a 5-0 record after defeating the Acadia Axemen 21-10 in the first Subway Turkey Bowl, marking the start of the Thanksgiving weekend.

The Axemen, who were dumped 60-7 last weekend in the first of a home and home series with the X-Men, were able to keep the X-Men "at bay" with only two majors in the first half.  Riley Penner put StFX on the board first on a 78 yard interception return, giving the X-Men an early 2nd quarter 7-0 lead.  Just over six minutes later, X-Man Mark Metulynsky capped a three play drive with his longest reception of the night on a 33 yard touchdown catch to move StFX into a 14-0 advantage.

Acadia's only first half points came from a 34 yard Mike Godfrey field goal with no time remaining on the clock after two quarters of play. Godfrey was short on a first quarter 47 yard attempt and wide on a third quarter 43 yarder.

The game’s turning point came at 5:27 in the fourth quarter when Acadia's defensive rush looked to have X-Men pivot Steve Snyder for a loss.  Snyder escaped several missed tackles to find Akeem Foster in the end zone on a 29 yard strike that completed a six play, 57 yard drive that silenced the Thanksgiving crowd of 1126.

Acadia's Taylor Renaud, who compiled 130 yards on 9 receptions, mostly in the closing quarter of the game, topped the game's receiver output.

Subway Player of the Game Steve Snyder pulled together 317 yards in passing on 26 of 38 passing attempts while Axeman quarterback Keith Lockwood was 22 for 47 passing attempts, accumulating 257 yards in air, but threw one interception and was sacked four times.

Akeem Foster led StFX with 85 yards in receiving and teammate Mark Metulynsku added 74 yards on four receptions.  All-star running back James Green, who was used sparingly, had 47 yards on 16 carries while Acadia's Nick Lauder had the game high 57 yards on eleven carries.

Defensive standouts included StFX’s Tom Lynch with 6 solo tackles including 2.5 for losses while teammates Nate Annan and David Skillen each recorded two quarterback sacks for losses of eight and 17 yards respectively. Acadia’s second year defensive tackle Jake Thomas, who was Acadia’s Subway Player of the Game, had a game high 8.5 tackles and three of which were losses of 13 yards and one forced fumble.

The win clinches StFX a playoff berth, while Acadia drops to 1-4 with games remaining against Concordia (1-4) in the second QSSF-AUS Interlock meeting next weekend, followed by two road games at Mount Allison and Saint Mary's.

The X-Men (5-0) will host the Bishop's Gaiters (1-4) next Saturday in their second QSSF-AUS Interlock game where the two teams will batle for the honor of hoisting the Bigg Bowl trophy.

Story courtesy Eric Cederburg, Acadia Sports Information