Begin leads Axemen to 26-4 win over StFX with five field goals

WOLFVILLE, N.S. - The Acadia Axemen picked up their second win of the season, improving to 2-4, with a 26-4 win over the second place StFX X-Men (3-3). Third year kicker Ryan Begin was perfect on five field goal attempts as the Axemen scored only one major in the victory.

All of Begin's field goals were from 31 yards out or greater, nailing his longest of 46 yards after an earlier first quarter 38 yard field goal, to give Acadia a 6-0 lead heading into the quarter.

Axemen receiver Brian Jones, who finished with a team high 66 yards in receiving, posted a 46 yard reception for the only touchdown early in the second frame. Jones' touchdown, his third of the season, was the second play of the series that started at the Acadia 49 yard line.

With a 13-0 lead, the Axemen stretched the cushion to 19 points after two more field goals by Begin from the 32 and 37 yard lines. Begin's fourth field goal was setup by an Acadia blocked punt by Sean Stoqua.

The X-Men's only points came from two second half safeties conceded by the Axemen at the eight minute mark of the third quarter and with less than a minute remaining in the game.

Begin would add a fifth and final field goal that capped a 31 yard drive that stalled at the 26 yard line to give Acadia a 24-2 lead heading into the final quarter. The Axemen picked up an additional two points on the second of two StFX conceded safeties.

While the X-Men pulled together 259 net yards on offense compared to Acadia's 195, Acadia was able to keep StFX off the scoreboard with big plays that included three interceptions by veteran fifth year defensive back Brett Backman. Suleiman Semalulu and Drew Morris each added an interception in a great defensive effort, while teammate Jesse St. James complemented the defensive performance with two quarterback sacks.

Head Coach Jeff Cummins noted the great effort by his defense. "The defense took it upon themselves to not give up the big play and give our young quarterback an opportunity to win the game. We didn't turn the ball over on offense and we grabbed five interceptions and two blocked punts. We won all three phases of the game and the score reflected it. We gave up only two big plays on defense."

Cummins mentioned the performance of Ottawa native Thompson Richards, who was thrown in the role as the starting quarterback. The Axemen have had four quarterbacks fall out of ranks over the season including a pair to injury before the exhibition season and two more who sit on the sidelines with undisclosed injuries.

Thompson's statistics included 8 for 20 pass attempts for 81 yards, but no interceptions were recorded and several well thrown passes were dropped.

X-Men quarterback Tivon Cook, who was replaced late in the second quarter by Dante Djan, was 9 for 24 pass attempts and was intercepted twice before being replaced.

On the ground, DeJon Lynch led the X-Men on 14 carries for 64 yards, while Axeman Zack Clarke had 15 carries for 48 net yards. Acadia out-gained StFX 124-95 net rushing yards.

The Axemen will remain at home for Homecoming next weekend as they host the undefeated and first place Mount Allison Mounties (6-0), while the X-Men host the winless Saint Mary's Huskies (0-6). Kick-off for both games is 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 18^th. 

Courtesy Acadia Athletics Communications