Dramatic touchdown in final seconds secures victory for X-Men
A touchdown pass from Silas Fagnan to Devaughn Blackwood in the final seconds of the game gave the X-Men a dramatic 20-17 win in a nailbiter against Huskies
ANTIGONISH, NS - A touchdown pass from Silas Fagnan to Gabriel Pizza Player of the Game Devaughn Blackwood in the final seconds of the game gave the STFX X-Men a dramatic 20-17 win in a gridiron nailbiter against the Saint Mary's Huskies on Saturday afternoon at STFX Stadium in front of over 1400 fans.
Blackwood hauled in the 12 yard catch in the corner of the end zone with only two second left on the game clock to secure the come from behind win for the X-Men, their third of the season.
The teams traded touchdowns in the first half, with STFX QB Fagnan finding Zach Houde who broke through for an exciting 70-yard score late in the opening quarter.
The Huskies replied when Malik Williams ran one in late in the second quarter for nine yards. Saint Mary's kicker Adam Johnston hit a pair of field goals, while Payton Plush hit one with X punter Malcolm Cameron adding a rouge, making it 13-11 at half in favour of the visitors.
Saint Mary's opened the third quarter with a safety and picked up another with three minutes to go in the game.
The Huskies conceded a safety with just over a minute to go, giving the X-Men the ball late and trailing 17-13, setting the table for Blackwood's game winning TD reception with two seconds to go. Plesh hit the extra point, giving the X-Men the 20-17 win.
Third year linebacker Owen Watrych continued his stellar play on defense, leading the X-Men with 12.5 tackles. His 9.3 tackles/game and 37.0 total tackles currently leads all of U SPORTS.
With the win, the X-Men improve to 3-1 on the season and move into a tie atop the AUS standings along with the Huskies, also 3-1 as they suffered their first loss of 2025.
The X-Men have a bye next weekend and will return to action on Friday, October 3, for their Homecoming game against the Acadia Axemen. Kickoff is 7:00 pm at STFX Stadium.
Earlier in the day, STFX assistant coach Terry Chisholm saw his name inducted into the STFX Sport Hall of Fame. He joined fellow inductees in a pre-game ceremonial kick-off. Fellow 2025 inductee and former X-Men defensive lineman Mark Verbeek nailed the ceremonial kick-off.
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