HALIFAX, NS – Running back Malcolm Bussey scored four touchdowns as the U SPORTS No. 6 ranked STFX X-Men defeated the Saint Mary's Huskies 52-4 on Saturday afternoon at Huskies Stadium.
The win improved the X-Men record to 7-0 on the season and clinched them first place overall in the AUS conference, earning the right to host the AUS championship Loney Bowl on November 12th.
Saturday's game began with a quick drive by the X-Men. On a collapsed pocket by pressure from the Huskies defensive line, X-Men quarterback Silas Fagnan (Bonnyville, AB) escaped and rushed 15 yards to the Huskies goal line. The X-Men then handed it off to running back Malcolm Bussey (Hammonds Plains, NS) who leaped into the endzone for the first score of the game, with a successful Ben Hadley (Halifax, NS) extra point to put the X-Men up 7-0.
The Huskies first score of the game came when the X-Men conceded a safety to cut the lead to 7-2 with 5:33 remaining in the first quarter.
Before the end of the first quarter the X-Men's high-powered offence began to get hot in the passing game, Fagnan found receivers Zachary Houde (Thetford Mines, QC) and Ben Harrington (Dartmouth, NS) on big plays during the drive. Fagnan finished off with a 10-yard strike to the middle of field to fullback Connor Ross (Coldbrook, NS) with the PAT being blocked by Huskies defensive linemen Jerome Tshimpangila (Montreal, QC), as the X-Men took a 13-2 lead into the second quarter.
STFX increased their lead to 14-2 with a rouge early in the second quarter.
The Huskies defence was unable to find an answer for the X-Men's high octane offence, surrendering a passing touchdown to Bussey on a 16 yard reception with 9:41 remaining in the first half.
Playing the field position game once again the X-Men conceded a safety, before Hadley hit for another rouge point to give the X-Men a 22-4 lead.
Towards the end of the second quarter, X-Men linebacker Dyton Blackett (Canning, NS) picked off Huskies quarterback Duncan Patterson (Bedford, NS) at the 55 yard line, returning it 16 yards to SMU territory. The Huskies defence stood tall forcing the X-Men to kick a successful 14-yard Hadley field goal, giving the visitors a 25-4 halftime lead.
The game of safeties continued in the third quarter with SMU kneeling in the endzone to start the half tacking on two points to the X-Men lead.
The X-Men continued to put the foot on the gas with Fagnan finding receiver Devaughn Blackwood (Kanata, ON) taking a 39-yard reception to the Huskies redzone, before feeding Bussey on a 5-yard rushing touchdown for his third score of the game to increase the X-Men lead to 34-4.
The X-Men defensive line caused problems for the Huskies all afternoon with seven total sacks. Near the end of the third quarter, X-Men defensive end Otito Nwaogu (London, ON) caused Patterson to fumble on a strip sack, which was recovered by the X-Men. Within reach of the endzone yet again, the X-Men continued pounding the rock with the workhorse Bussey punching it through with a 9-yard touchdown run, giving the X-Men a 41-4 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
On a fumble recovery by X-Men defensive linemen Morgan Rae (Sackville, NS), StFX capitalized with a 5-yard rushing touchdown to running back Simon Degraff (Calgary, AB) adding to the 48-4 lead with 9:15 remaining in the final quarter.
The X-Men closed it out with an interception by linebacker Zach Taylor (Nanaimo, BC), followed by a Hadley 41-yard field goal and a final rouge as the X-Men would win with a final score of 52-4.
The Subway Player of the Game was awarded to Bussey who led the team in rushing with 16 carries for 68 yards and three rushing touchdowns, along with 24 receiving yards on two receptions and one receiving TD.
Fagnan went 22 of 28 for 269 passing yards and threw two touchdowns, adding 23 yards on four rushing attempts. Harrington led the X-Men in receiving yards with 79 yards, Ross added 48 yards on five receptions, including one touchdown, and Blackwood had the longest catch of the day with one reception for 39 yards.
Huskies quarterback Duncan Patterson completed 5 of 14 passing attempts, throwing for 82 yards and one interception.
Malik Williams (Maple Creek, SK) was the leading rusher for the Huskies with 60 yards on 8 carries. Liam Stewart (Port Coquitlam, BC) was the leading receiver hauling in three receptions for 43 yards.
On the defensive side for the X-Men, Zechariah Williams (Tiny, ON) recorded five tackles with four sacks. Zach Taylor (Nanaimo, BC), Blackett and Ethan Mastin (Chilliwack, BC) each tallied an interception.
For the Huskies defensive side Jacob Morgan (Halifax, NS) led the team in tackles with 7.5, one forced fumble and one pass breakup.
The X-Men (7-0) will look to finish off an undefeated regular season at home next week, as they host Mount Allison on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m.
The Huskies (3-3) will have one last chance to clinch a playoff berth next weekend, as they travel to Sherbrooke, QC to take on Bishop's Saturday in a rare four point game.
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Recap by Vincent Talliman / SMU Huskies Athletics
Malcolm Bussey brings home Subway Player of the Game honours with 4 touchdowns in the X-Men's 52-4 victory at SMU today! #goxgo #SubwayFuel pic.twitter.com/sJnP04EZxh
— StFX Athletics (@StFXAthletics) October 22, 2022