WOLFVILLE, N.S. –  The Acadia Axemen turned a 14-0 halftime lead in into a 31-9 win over the Bishop's Gaiters thanks to a 17-point outburst in the third quarter on Saturday afternoon at Raymond Stadium in Wolfville, N.S.
 
The loss dropped the Gaiters to 0-7 on the year while Acadia improves to 3-3 in the Atlantic University Sport conference.
 
Early momentum went in Bishop's favour when safety Aarron Franklin (West Covina, Calif./Citrus College) stopped AUS leading receiver Cordell Hastings on an end around on third and goal.  Hastings fumbled into the end zone and the Gaiters took over on their 20-yard line but were unable to make any noise.
 
Acadia was first to strike. Quarterback Hunter Guenard connected on a 42-yard pass with Caleb Ryder for the major 11:35 into the first quarter.
 
There was stagnant offence from both teams before a few fireworks midway through the second stanza. A high snap for Bishop's gave Acadia the ball on the Gaiters' 15-yard line. The next play Gaiters' defensive lineman Chris Sabat (Whitby, Ont./Trinity College School) got to Guenard and forced a fumble that Remi Desbiens (Sherbrooke, Que./Cégep de Sherbrooke) recovered.  
 
The ensuing drive was a promising one for Bishop's as they marched down to Acadia's 42-yard line.  Unfortunately, for the visitors, it quickly turned around when Rory Kelly picked off Stephen Casey (Boucherville, Que./Champlain College St-Lambert) and returned it 78 yards for the touchdown and a 14-0 Acadia advantage. The Axemen missed a 42-yard field goal as the half ended to remain up 14-0 at the break.
 
First Half Highlights:

 
Mathieu Demers (Lévis, Que./Cégep LImoilou) started the second half at quarterback for Bishop's and was picked off on his first pass attempt. The Gaiters defence forced a 29-yard field goal that was no good and the Axemen earned but a single point for a 15-0 advantage. On the ensuing drive, Bishop's was flagged for roughing and Demers was sacked. That forced them to give up a safety and Acadia's lead grew to 17-0.
 
A 62-yard delayed draw by Dale Wright on the ensuing possession put the game all but out of reach as the Axemen went up 24-0.
 
Bishop's got on the board at the nine minute mark of the third quarter after the hosts conceded a safety.
 
Acadia added their fourth major of the day before the frame ended and led 31-2 entering the final 15 minutes.
 
A relatively uneventful fourth quarter left the final score at 31-9 for the Axemen.
 
Demers connected with Dashaun Smellie (Mississauga, Ont./Champlain-Lennoxville) in the back of the end zone with just two seconds remaining to give the Gaiters their major score.
 
Second Half Highlights

 
Nathan Walker (Brampton, Ont./St. Roch C.S.S.) was a silver lining for the Gaiters. He caught six passes for 78 yards and added 30 rush yards while Franklin finished with 7.5 tackles and the forced fumble.
 
Next Up
The Gaiters are conclude their sophomore season in the AUS next Saturday, Oct. 20 on Coulter Field in Lennoxville. They host the St. FX X-Men at 2 p.m. with the Bigg Bowl on the line. Tickets are available at www.gaiters.ca/tickets.
 
Social Corner
Stay up-to-date anytime with the Bishop's Gaiters at www.gaiters.ca or on social media by using @BishopsGaiters and #GaiterNation.
 
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Marty Rourke
Bishop's Sports Information