Gaiters top Huskies 25-22 in 3OT to capture first-ever AUS Loney Bowl

(LENNOXVILLE, QUE.) Xavier Gervais' 25-yard field goal in triple overtime sent Coulter Field into a frenzy as the Bishop's Gaiters topped the Saint Mary's Huskies 25-22 in triple overtime to win the 2024 AUS Loney Bowl presented by Bell.

The fireworks came even earlier as seemingly down and out with 16 seconds left and down by three Gabriel Royer forced a Saint Mary's fumble that led to a Gervais game-tying field goal with six seconds left to force OT.

The Royer magic came after the Gaiters were in field goal range to tie the game but had a fumbled themselves and gave Saint Mary's the ball and what appeared to be the game and title with 48 seconds left an no timeouts left.  The Huskies ran the ball, and Royer, the 2022 AUS Defensive Player of the Year forced the ball loose.  Kyle Chorney pounced on it to give the Gaiters life and a movie script ending.

Gervais calmy booted through a 16-yard field goal to tie the game.

In overtime SMU had the ball first and Adam Johnston connected on a 38-yard field goal his fourth of five made on the day.  Bishop's responded with a Gervais 17-yard connection.  

The teams also exchanged field goals in double overtime.

As the third extra stanza started, the Huskies offense was stopped on first down.  Royer again made a defensive play with a tackle for a loss of two yards. An incompletion later and the Huskies lined up for a 44-yard field goal attempt that sailed wide left.

Bishop's took over and David Chaloux immediately broke an 18-yard run. Two plays later Gervais sent the Gaiters into the history books. His 25-yard field goal gave Bishop's their first AUS title after moving to the conference in 2017.  It's their first title of any kind since 1994 when they won the OQIFC's Dunsmore Cup.

Chaloux was named game MVP and hoisted the Don Loney Memorial Trophy.  He finished with 20 carries for 160 yards and an impressive 57-yard touchdown run.  Gervais finished 6-for-6 on field goals.

The game was marred by mistakes as Bishop's fumbled four times, turning the ball over each time. They were also 0-for-3 on third down gambles but still found a way to win. Saint Mary's also struggled on the frigid Lennoxville Saturday. They threw three interceptions, fumbled once and were stopped on a third down attempt.

Bishop's outgained the Huskies 440 to 235 and had the ball for 5:36 seconds longer than the visitors.

AUS Defensive Player of the Year Alex MacDonald led the way for the Bishop's defense with 8.5 tackles including 1.5 for a loss. He also had a pass breakup and an interception.

Royer had eight tackles, half a sack and the massive forced fumble.

For Saint Mary's quarterback Allan Young went 11-29 for 101 yards and three interceptions.  He added the Huskies lone touchdown with his legs. His favourtie target was Trydell Mintis who caught eight of those passes including a wild double deflection to set up the Saint Mary's touchdown at the 9:14 mark of the fourth quarter to give SMU the lead.

Saturday's Loney Bowl was the third AUS Championship to go into extra time and first since 2017. It was the first to go three extra periods.

The Gaiters win sends them to their fourth ever National semifinal with the last coming in 1994.  They also participated in 1990, 1988 and 1986.

Bishop's will face the OUA Champion Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks in the Uteck Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 16.  Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m.

Tickets for the contest go on sale on Sunday at noon at www.gaiters.ca/tickets.