Mounties Lose to Acadia

The Mount Allison Mounties lost 33-14 to the Acadia Axemen at Raymond Field in Wolfville on Saturday.  This was the second and final regular season meeting between the two AUS rivals this year, with the Mounties winning 64-23 at home to start the season.

The Mounties got the start they wanted when 4^th year return man Kiel Ambursley returned the opening kickoff 62 yards to the Acadia 38 yard line.   With U SPORTS Rookie of the Year Jakob Loucks out of the lineup with injury, senior quarterback Troy Downton calmly stepped in for the Mounties.  Downton orchestrated a 5 play drive, ending with a 10 yard hook up to Jared Rawlings for the game's first major. This gave the Mounties an early 7-0 lead.

Acadia responded right away, driving 51 yards before Jarett Saumure hit a 21 yard field goal to leave the score at 7-3. Downton and the Mounties offense went right back to work, this time driving 75 yards on 9 plays. This time the scoring play came when freshman Malcolm Miller lined up in the wildcat and scampered 15 yards to the end zone.  This gave the Mounties a 14-3 lead.

Acadia pulled within 4 points when Eugene McMinns caught a 34 yard touchdown pass from Cody Cluett early in the 2^nd quarter. The Mounties saw their lead evaporate for good four minutes later when backup QB Hunter Guenard hit Cordell Hastings for a 39 yard touchdown.  This gave Acadia their first lead of the game at 17-14.

Acadia would add another touchdown before halftime as Dale Wright scored from 8 yards out one play after a botched snap as the Mounties tried to punt from deep in their own zone.  Acadia entered the locker room with a 24-14 lead.

The only scoring of the 2^nd half came from the foot of Saumure as he hit field goals of 18, 19 and 22 yards. The Mounties mounted some offense in the 4^th quarter but interceptions hurt the visiting side and secured the win for the home Axemen.

Downton was 13 of 22 for 129 yards with 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions.  Kiel Ambursley led the ground attack with 61 yards on 16 carries.  AUS All-Star Chris Reid was kept out of the game as a result of injury.  Junior receiver Josh Hicks of Moncton, NB had 5 catches for 53 yards.  

Defensively the Mounties were led by senior Nate Rostek who had 10 tackles on the day.

The Mounties now return to Sackville for their final regular season home game on Saturday, October 7^th when they host StFX.  The Mounties sit in a tie for 4^th place at 1-4 while StFX sits in 3^rd place at 2-3.