Mounties celebrate Homecoming with 36-11 win over X-Men

The Mount Allison Mounties enjoyed a memorable Homecoming on Saturday afternoon as they defeated StFX 36-11 at Alumni Field. This was the first home game for the Mounties since August 31^st after spending the last two weeks on the road.

The Mounties offense went to work right away to energize the large and boisterous Homecoming crowd of 2,187 fans, driving 55 yards to set up 32 yard field goal by sophomore kicker James Parker. StFX's first possession of the game ended when freshman Mountie Lucas Cormier intercepted Bailey Wasdal's pass and ran it back to the X 34 yard line. Moments later Parker gave the Mounties a 6-0 lead with a 40 yard field goal.

Parker posted his 3^rd field goal of the day, this time kicking into the wind and hitting from 32 yards out with 4 minutes gone in the 2^nd quarter.  StFX would come close to grabbing their first points of the day in the 2^nd quarter only to see freshman Mountie Daniel Bell intercept Quinn Stewart's pass in the end zone. StFX would get on the board with 4 minutes left in the first half when the Mounties conceded a safety to make the score 9-2.

Lucas Cormier was back to work moments later, picking up his 2^nd interception of the day and giving the Mounties the ball back on the X 37 yard line.  From there Mounties running back Jack Estabrooks took over, rushing 37 yards on three plays and scoring to give the Mounties a 16-2 lead after Parker's extra point.

The Mounties would use a four minute 70 yard drive half way through the 3^rd quarter to add to their lead. Sophomore quarterback David Patry, making his 2^nd AUS start, found Robbie Walker at the back of the end zone for a 15 yard touchdown. Parker's extra point ran the score to 23-2 for the home side.

StFX started to threaten early in the 4^th quarter, first picking up another safety to make it 23-4 and then engineering a 75 yard drive of their own to post their first touchdown of the day. The scoring play came when Quinn Stewart found Chase Bowden for an 11 yard touchdown.

StFX successfully recovered an onside quick on the ensuing kickoff and were driving again until the Mounties defense would deliver a huge momentum swing. Graeme Stevens came off the edge and forced Stewart to fumble, and then Mount Allison senior Damian Halstead recovered the ball and charged 64 yards the X end zone for touchdown. This gave the Mounties a 30-11 lead and they never looked back. Two more field goals by Parker, his 4^th and 5^th of the day would give the Mounties the 36-11 win.

Patry was 10 for 14 for 130 yards and 1 touchdown at quarterback for the Mounties. Wasdal, StFX's starter, was 2 of 7 for 12 yards and 2 interceptions before being replaced by Stewart. For his part, Stewart was 9 of 20 for 89 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.

The Mounties, who picked up 239 yard rushing on the day, were led on the ground by Sackville native and freshman Jack Estabrooks. Named Subway Player of the Game for his efforts, Estabrooks ran for 148 yards on 19 carries and he picked up his first career AUS touchdown. Richie Cole led the Mounties receivers with 5 catches for 86 yards.

Dylan Cormier led the Mounties defensively with 9 tackles on the day. The Mounties also had interceptions from Lucas Cormier (2), Daniel Bell and Jake Spence.

The Mounties (1-4) return to action on Friday, October 4th when they travel to Halifax to play Saint Mary's. StFX also returns to action on Friday as they host Bishop's.