PREVIEW: Huskies host two-time defending champion Axemen Friday night in AUS football opener

(HALIFAX, N.S.) - With a thirteen-game winning streak versus conference opponents over the last two seasons, the Axemen head to Halifax Friday night with their sights set on a third consecutive AUS banner.

With four championships in the past eight seasons, reigning AUS coach of the year Jeff Cummins enters his 11th season as the Axemen's head coach.

Cummins, who has 11 AUS all-stars, two AUS major award winners and six all-Canadians returning from last year's roster, knows it will be an uphill climb with only five AUS All-Stars and two All-Canadians returning this season.

The Axemen head into tonight's road game against the Saint Mary's Huskies with 13-of-24 starters from last season returning. The loss of two-time AUS MVP Kyle Graves will be a blow to Acadia, but Cummins points out that while the loss at quarterback is a concern, Graves' punting abilities were also exceptional and a "game changer" in many respects.

Acadia's Evan Brown, who acted as backup quarterback for the last three seasons, will debut tonight. Brown was a perfect 6-for-6 last weekend in first quarter action against StFX in pre-season play.

On defence, the Axemen return seven starters, losing two linebackers, two defensive linemen and one defensive back. Cummins' hope is that those stepping into the empty positions will solidify the integrity of a strong defence.

Coach Cummins is happy with several rookie standouts including quarterbacks Cody Cluett and Darcy Lavoie, who saw plenty of playing and practice time over the past two weeks. Standout Adam Melanson will start at the defensive tackle position Friday night. Melanson, a Horton High School grad, played at Champlain College last season and was a defensive CEGEP all-star. Receiver Shaquille Cezont-Holmes has also shown great athletic ability and explosive speed as a returner and receiver.

On the other side of the ball, the Saint Mary's Huskies, who had to deal with the injury of starting pivot Jack Creighton at the beginning of last season, look to bounce back with the return of 18 of their 24 starters from the 2012 season.

Second-year head coach Perry Marchese says the Huskies have a nice mix of new and experienced players with nine returning on offence and defence.

"We should be balanced on offence and athletic and physical on defence," says Marchese. "We have a number of very good pass rushers too that will add to the mix".

Ben Rossong, a transfer from Western University and Jack Creighton give the Huskies a pair of legitimate quarterbacks. Marchese confirmed at the AUS football media day held Thursday in Halifax that Rossong will get the start.

Running backs Melvin Abankwah and Michael Dawes rushed 632 yards and 584 yards respectively last season and will likely contribute to the Huskies' ground attack once again this year.

The veteran defence will be led by 2012 AUS lineman of the year and career sack leader Rob Jubenville, linebackers Matt Lalande and Marvin Golding, as well as two-time all-Canadian defensive back Kayin Marchand-Wright.

On special teams, the Huskies have had great kickers over the last decade or so and Marchese feels that newcomer Chase Kodejs will continue that tradition.

"Offensively, we need to be more balanced than last year," Marchese added, when asked what his team will need to do to topple the defending AUS champions. "Defensively we will need to stop the running game and avoid giving up big plays."

Rookies to watch on the Huskies roster include offensive lineman Sean Guihan who has looked promising thus far, running back Derek Pisani who stood out in the Huskies' exhibition game and Kodejs, who looks as if he has already been in the CIS for years in just his rookie season.

Friday night's game kicks off at 7:00 PM and will also be available via webcast at www.AUStv.ca.

Live stats for tonight's game can be found here: http://livestats.prestosports.com/stmarys/.  

Source: Acadia Sports Information
Photo courtesy of Saint Mary's Sports Information