StFX downs Mount Allison with fourth-quarter comeback

(SACKVILLE, N.B.) The Mount Allison Mounties lost their Homecoming game 35-27 to the StFX X-Men at Alumni Field Saturday afternoon. A big fourth quarter by the X-Men proved to be the difference in the game. 

The visiting X-Men scored the first points of the game when they picked up a single point after kicker Keiran Burnham missed on a 31-yard field goal attempt. 

The Mounties got the Homecoming crowd going 10 minutes into the game.  Facing a second and six from their own 30-yard line, the Mounties lined Malik Richards up in the wildcat formation and he took the direct snap 71 yards for the game's first major. James Parker converted the extra point to give the Mounties a 7-1 lead. 

Three minutes late the Mounties went back to work. Punter Graham Kelly recovered his own punt to give the Mounties possession at the StFX 28 yard line. One play later quarterback Troy Downton found Malik Richards in the end zone to give the Mounties a 14-1 lead. 

After picking up another single point to run the lead to 15-1, the Mounties conceded a safety to leave the score at 15-3 in the second quarter. 

The X-Men would fine the end zone before half time as quarterback Bailey Wasdal hit David Dean for a 13-yard touchdown. This left the score 15-10 for the Mounties at halftime. 

The Mounties would extend their lead in the third quarter when fifth year senior Kiel Ambursley brought the crowd to its feet with a 72-yard touchdown run. The Mounties lead grew to 27-10 with 12 minute remaining in the game when freshman kicker James Parker connected from 27 yards out. 

The X-Men answered quickly with a touchdown drive capped by a one-yard run by quarterback Bailey Wasdal.  With the score now 27-17, the Mounties gave up a safety and kicked the ball back to StFX. One play later Wasdal hit Kaion Julien-Grant for a 56-yard touchdown. The X-Men converted the two-point attempt, leaving the game tied at 27 with seven minutes remaining. 

StFX forced another safety to take a 29-27 lead and then a pair field goals by Keiran Burnham from 31 and 37 yards sealed the win for the X-Men. 

Troy Downton was 21 of 30 for 185 yards on the day with one touchdown pass. Kiel Ambursley rushed for 146 yards on 16 carries, including his 72-yard touchdown in the third quarter.  Josh Hicks had six catches for 67 yards for the Mounties while Malik Richards had four catches for 51 yards and one rush for his 71-yard touchdown. 

Defensively, Damian Halstead was all over the field with 11 tackles and a 61-yard fumble return while senior Nate Rostek had 9.5 tackles and an interception for the Mounties. 

Bailey Wasdal was 14 of 24 for 186 yards with two touchdowns and one interception for the X-Men. Running back Jordan Socholotiuk ran for 177 yards on 33 carries for the X-Men. 

The Mounties now travel to Quebec to play Bishop's next Saturday, Sept. 29. StFX will host Saint Mary's at 2 p.m. at Oland Stadium. 

Source: Mount Allison Sports Information