Axemen edged by Gaitors in 15-14 win

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – Senior running back Louis-Phillipe Gregoire posted 124 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns to lead the Bishop's in a 15-14 win over the host Acadia Axemen in front of a partisan Homecoming crowd. It was the first time the Gaiters beat Acadia since entering the AUS football conference.

Gregoire, who was named the Subway Player of the Game for his performance, scored the only two majors for the Gaiters on eight and six-yard runs capping drives of 64 yards and 78 yards respectively.

The Gaiters took a late first quarter 1-0 lead off of a Yani Gouadfel rouge, but Acadia replied at 14:50 in the second quarter when Acadia pivot Duncan Patterson squeezed in on a one-yard dive into the end zone to conclude a 3 play, 48-yard drive.  Patterson's touchdown was setup by a 47-yard reception by Matt Gledhill.

Gregoire scored his first major at 9:34 of the second quarter to give Bishop's an 8-7 advantage - their first lead of the game.

Ben George's rouge in the closing minutes of the first half and a 13-yard field goal with one second remaining in the second quarter gave the Axemen an 11-8 lead heading into the locker room.

George would post his second field goal of the game late in the third quarter to extend the lead to 14-8.

Gregoire capped a six-play, 78-yard drive on a six-yard run to give back the Gaiter's a slim 15-14 lead that would hold for the win.

George was given a chance to win the game in the closing seconds of the game on a 41-yard field goal that went wide.

The Gaiters led on the ground with 140 net yards rushing, yet the Axemen lead offensively overall with 347 yards in total offense that included 213 net yards in the air. Bishop's total offence of 294 yards was good enough for the win.

Mason McGriskin posted 11 completions on 22 attempts for 164 yards, while Acadia's Patterson was 21 for 31 for 213 net yards.

McGriskin was thrilled with the win. "It feels amazing. We are 0-7 against Acadia, but no more. We came in and won their Homecoming and have a game like that, it's just incredible," said McGriskin.

When asked what was working for them, McGriskin pointed out it was the mismatches.

"The mismatches. We felt our wideouts had an advantage of speed. We took advantage of that and it worked out for us," noted McGriskin.

Gaiter Brendan Griffiths led all receivers with 99 yards on five receptions. Acadia's Matthew Gledhill had a team-high 67 yards on three receptions. Axemen running back Cole Estabrooks had 20 rushes for 101 yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, Axeman Riley Gabriel and Gaiter Digaan Goms each had an interception. Bishop's Keagan Hughes led all with 12 solo tackles and 2 assisted – three for a loss of 43 yards. Riley Gabriel had 6 solos – 1 for a loss.

The Axemen slip to 1-3 and fourth place in the AUS standings, while the Gaiters improve to 2-2 and sit two points ahead of Acadia in third place.

The Axemen have their second bye week and then host Mount Allison on Sat. Oct. 30 – 2:00 pm. The Gaiters return home to host the undefeated StFX X-Men next Saturday.

Courtesy of Acadia Athletics