Gaiters defense sizzles as they celebrate homecoming victory over Mounties

(LENNOXVILLE, QC)  In front of a capacity crowd, Gabriel Royer picked off Mounties backup quarterback Alex Cassidy and returned it 40 yards to all but seal a victory for the Bishop’s Gaiters on homecoming Saturday in Lennoxville.  

Two plays later quarterback Mason McGriskin found pay dirt for the game’s lone major to put a stamp on what was a spectacular day for the Gaiters.  

 Earlier in the day the 1988, 1990 and 1994 OQIFC Champion teams were inducted into the Bishop’s University Wall of Distinction.  

How it happened 

A defensive battle all day long kept the game snug until the final few minutes.  The Mounties led 3-2 after the opening stanza before a pair of Noah Laursen field goals and a safety gave Bishop’s a 10-3 lead at the break. A Gaiters safety was the lone score in the third. Graeme Mather kicked through a 24-yard field goal at the midway point of the fourth quarter for Mt.A to set-up the frantic finish. With 2:33 left, Mt.A took possession and on the second play of the drive, Royer made the leaping pick and ran it back to the 5-yard line.  

For Bishop’s… 

• Their defense led the way allowing just 145 yards of total offense  

• Royer finished with 10.5 tackles including 2 sacks, a forced fumble, and the massive interception and 40-yard return 

• Kicker Noah Laursen went 2-for-2 on field goal attempts (32 and 27 yards)  

• McGriskin finished 15-32 for 181 yards 
  
• Gabriel Royer was named Subway Player of the Game, finishing with  10.5 tackels, two sacks, one forced fumble and one interception

For Mount Allison...

• Running back Brandt Burzuk ran 23 times for 106 yards 

• Kicker Graeme Mather went 2-for-2 (37 and 24 yards)

Next Up 

• Bishop’s (2-2) heads to Antigonish on Saturday, Oct. 8 to play league-leading StFX (4-0) 

• Mount Allison (3-2) will host Acadia (0-5) on Friday night