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Huskies advance to Loney Bowl with 37-0 win over Acadia
Posted: Nov 01, 2025

Huskies advance to Loney Bowl with 37-0 win over Acadia

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HALIFAX, NS – The Saint Mary's Huskies will host the 2025 Loney Bowl, as they defeated the Acadia Axemen 37-0 in the Atlantic University Sport football semifinal on Saturday afternoon at Huskies Stadium.

The Axemen were able to force a Huskies punt on the opening drive, and were able to move the ball into Saint Mary's territory, but Huskies defensive lineman Romareo Reid (Calgary, AB) made a leaping interception, returning the ball nearly 40 yards into Axemen territory.

Unfortunately wind proved to be a factor, as kicker Adam Johnston (Rothesay, NB) narrowly missed a 36-yard field goal, keeping the Huskies off the scoreboard, and Acadia's Nicholas Welcher receiver (Calgary, AB) returned it 37 yards out of the end zone.

But Saint Mary's wouldn't be denied for long, as Chandler Zinck-Marier (Pleasantville, NS) returned a punt 23-yards into Axemen territory. Huskies quarterback Justin Shibley (Ottawa, ON) found receiver Kade Smith (Halifax, NS) for a 22-yard gain, setting up a Shibley nine-yard quarterback scramble for the touchdown, with Johnston's point after giving the Huskies a 7-0 lead, 4:49 into the first quarter.

The Huskies defence made another big play with a sack from Romareo Reid, but Saint Mary's was unable to add any points before the first quarter ended, holding on to a 7-0 lead. Early in the second quarter, Saint Mary's got a highlight play out of their special teams, as punter Cameron Brown (Hammonds Plains, NS) laid out Welcher on a return, bringing the crowd to their feet.

Saint Mary's defence forced another Axemen two-and-out, and the Huskies special teams made them play as Cherokee Robinson (Halifax, NS) picked up the ball and bounced outside, turning on the jets for an electric 46-yard punt return touchdown, doubling the lead to 14-0.

The ensuing kick-off resulted in a rouge, extending the SMU lead to 15-0. Acadia was able to move the ball into Huskies territory, but a few penalties pushed them back and forced them to punt it away again. But the Axemen defence was able to get the ball back, with defensive back Ryan Duffus (Bedford, NS) picking off Shibley for an interception.

Saint Mary's defence kept making big plays, with a sack from linebacker Matthew Schill (Indian Head, SK). The Huskies offence took over and were unable to move the chains, but Adam Johnston hit a 42-yard field goal to extend the lead to 18-0, with 5:20 remaining.

As they've done all season, the Huskies ball hawking defence continued to force turnovers, with defensive back Kallon Edwards (Toronto, ON) picking off Axemen quarterback Nick Kennedy (Calgary, AB) for the third turnover of the first half.

That's when running back Malik Williams (Ajax, ON) took over, showing his skillset on back-to-back runs. First Williams rumbled through defenders, breaking tackles on his way to a seven-yard gain for a first down. On the very next play, Williams showed off his breakaway speed, breaking out on a 48-yard touchdown run, with Johnston's extra point giving Saint Mary's a 25-0 lead heading into halftime.

The third quarter saw the Huskies force another turnover, as linebacker Markcus Jean-Loescher (Toronto, ON) stripped the Axemen ball carrier, with Kallon Edwards recovering the fumble.

The two teams traded drives without scoring, until another big special teams play from the Huskies saw a fake-punt taken by Cameron Brown for 26 yards and a first down.

That set up a 39-yard field goal from Adam Johnston, pushing the lead to 28-0.

After an Acadia punt, the Huskies were able to move the chains into Axemen territory to end the third quarter, and Malik Williams finished off the 67-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown plunge – his second of the day and 13th of the season – extending the lead to 35-0 early in the fourth quarter.

The Axemen conceded a safety and the Huskies were able to run out the clock on the convincing 37-0 semifinal win, punching their ticket to the Loney Bowl championship next Saturday.

Malik Williams was named Player of the Game, rushing for 118 yards on 16 carries, including two touchdowns. Liam Legge (11 carries for 48 yards) and Reece Wyke (seven carries for 41 yards) chipped in for a Huskies rushing attack that went for 244 yards on the day.

Quarterback Justin Shibley completed 9/16 passes for 76 yards and an interception, adding three rushes for 14 yards and a touchdown, while Allan Young completed 3/4 passes for 31 yards, and added five rushes for 17 yards. Receiver Kade Smith led the Huskies pass catchers with three receptions for 37 yards.

Defensively the Huskies were led by Romareo Reid, who recorded three tackles, including a sack and tackle for a loss, and an interception. Matthew Schill added eight tackles and a sack, and Kallon Edwards recorded six tackles, and interception and a fumble recovery.

The Axemen offence was led in defeat by quarterback Nick Kennedy, completing 13/19 passes for 57 yards and two interceptions, running back Noah Potter, who ran 10 times for 19 yards, and added three receptions for 13 yards, and receiver Xander Matheson who caught eight balls for 26 yards.

Defensively Brandon Kamenz recording a game-high 14 tackles and two sacks, while Rory Litt added eight tackles, including one for a loss.

With the win, the Huskies advance to the Loney Bowl championship game, where they'll host the STFX X-Men next Saturday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. at Huskies Stadium, with a trip to the U SPORTS semifinal Uteck Bowl on the line. Tickets will go on sale Monday at 10 a.m. at SMUHuskies.ca/Tickets.

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics