X-Men score Homecoming win over Mounties

(ANTIGONISH, N.S.) - The StFX X-Men cruised to a 30-9 victory over the visiting Mount Allison Mounties Saturday afternoon at Oland Stadium in Antigonish.

More than 4,200 fans attended the game, which was part of Homecoming 2013 celebrations at StFX.

"It was a huge win for us. We came out ready to play," X-Men receiver Donald Tabor said after the game.

Tabor, who led the blue and white with 109 yards on eight receptions, added his team "stayed consistent" and played for four quarters.


The X-Men opened the scoring on their first offensive possession with starting quarterback and Subway Player of the Game Tivon Cook connecting with Devon Bailey for a 12-yard touchdown.

Bailey soared for a leaping catch against the Mounties' defence along the end-zone sideline.

With the Jeremy Ford convert, StFX led 7-0.

By the eight-minute mark of the first quarter, the X-Men led 14-0 on an Ashton Dickson touchdown and Ford point after.

Dickson caught a seven-yard pass from Cook for the major score.

With 4:31 remaining in the first 15 minutes, the Mounties sliced the lead to 14-7 on a 78-yard punt return touchdown by Michael Bohan and a Matt Rose convert.

On Cook's third TD pass, a 20-yarder to freshman receiver Tivon Cook with 26 seconds remaining in the first quarter, the X-Men extended their advantage.

With the Ford convert, StFX led 21-7.

The only scoring of the second quarter came on a 38-yard field goal by Ford, giving the X-Men a 24-7 lead at halftime.

Things were quiet on the scoreboard in the second half, with the X-Men getting two third-quarter field goals from Ford, both from 14 yards, while the Mounties collected two points on a conceded safety by StFX.

The X-Men amassed 414 yard in net total offence, while the Mounties collected 294.

Cook was 26-36 for 274 yards, with three touchdowns.

Freshman Dante Djan, who played in short yardage situations and during a few series in the second half, was successful on five of six pass attempts for 43 yards.

Through the air, Bailey caught seven balls for 98 yards, while freshman Keon Hughes grabbed six for 95 yards. On the ground, the X-Men gained 111 yards, with Dickson collecting 90 on 17 carries.

For the Mounties Brandon Leyh was 6-14 for 57 yards, while Alex Field, who relieved the starter in the third quarter, completed six passes for 41 yards. Mount Allison gained 211 yards rushing, led by all-Canadian Jordan Botel with 121 yards on 19 carries.

Emmanuel Musangu and Troy Trentham chipped in 40 and 35 yards, respectively, on the ground.

Defensively, the X-Men intercepted Leyh four times, including two from Justin Holland and one apiece from Hugo Rajotte and Chris Shibley. Linebacker Samni Adereti led the team with nine tackles, while adding two quarterback sacks.

Defensive back Paulo Edwards collected 6.5 tackles, while Ron Omara and Jesse Stevens added five apiece.

Dylan Cossar, Kwame Adjei and Te Nguyen each had 7.5 tackles for the Mounties. Christian Plante and Jacob LeBlanc collected sacks.

The X-Men coaches and players credited the Homecoming crowd for their support in the victory. "The crowd is amazing," Tabor said.

X-Men head coach Gary Waterman said there is a "sense of pride" with the players and coaches when playing on Homecoming weekend. "I am happy we played well and got the victory," he noted.

StFX president Sean Riley said the players deserve tremendous credit, noting the pressure on them to perform for the Homecoming crowd.

"They gave us exactly what we wanted," Riley, in his last Homecoming game as StFX president, added.

The X-Men return to action Saturday, Oct. 12, when they travel to Sackville, N.B. to face the Mounties. Opening kick-off is set for 2 p.m.

"It is going to be a week of adjustments and we have to be ready to play," X-Men head coach Gary Waterman said of next week's re-match with the Mounties.

He noted the Mounties "rebound well" after losses and will be prepared to defend their home field.

In other AUS football action Saturday, the Saint Mary's Huskies (3-2) defeated the Acadia Axemen (2-3) 17-10 in Halifax. Those teams will also battle again next weekend.

Source: StFX Sport Information