AUS Football Team Previews

• 2017 regular season record: 6-2
• 2017 regular season standings: 1^st in AUS
• 2017 playoff record: 1-1
• 2017 playoff finish: Won AUS; Lost to Western in national semi-final

General Write-Up:

The 2017 season was a strong year for the Acadia Axemen. Posting a 6-2 record and finishing first in the AUS conference, the Axemen went on to defeat Saint Mary’s 45-38 in the Loney Bowl after a second overtime period. Both sides of the ball had strong personal contributions. Linebacker Bailey Feltmate was named the AUS Defensive MVP and Second Team All-Canadian; running back Dale Wright was named the AUS Offensive MVP and first team conference all-star; cornerback Jadin White-Frayne led U SPORTS with six interceptions and was named a first team AUS all-star.

Leading into 2018, Acadia will look to many familiar faces to push for a second consecutive AUS Loney Bowl victory. Hunter Guenard will step into the starting quarterback role with a strong supporting cast in Wright at tailback, and junior receiver Cordell Hastings who posted 603 yards receiving and 8 touchdowns.

Defensively, senior free-safety Brandon Jennings returns to lead the secondary that doesn’t lose a starter from 2017. Junior linebacker Feltmate will look to anchor the linebacking core once again. The defensive line will have a few new faces after losing seniors All-Canadian Adam Melanson and Gabriel Bagnell, who was drafted by the Edmonton Eskimos in the 2018 CFL Draft this past May.

Quote from head coach: Jeff Cummins

This time of year is always exciting. We’re ready to get going on another season of Acadia Axemen football. Winning the Loney Bowl in 2017 puts a big target on our backs, and we’re ready for the rest of the AUS to push us. We want to continue to improve throughout the season and build towards another deep playoff run come November.  

Head Coach: Jeff Cummins

• Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2018): 16 years
• Number of seasons as head coach in U SPORTS (including 2018): 16 years
• Career regular season record with team: 62-59
• Career regular season record in U SPORTS: 62-59
• Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only):69-71
• Career overall record in U SPORTS (reg. season & playoffs only): 69-71

• 2017 regular season record: 1-7
• 2017 regular season standings: 5^th in AUS
• 2017 playoff record: N/A
• 2017 playoff finish: N/A

General Write-Up:

The Bishop’s Gaiters enter their second season in Atlantic University Sport conference, a year older and a year wiser. After a season of transition in 2017, the Gaiters are poised to make a move in 2018. A year ago it was not only the first time Bishop’s was in a conference with their Atlantic foes, but it was also head coach Cherif Nicolas’ first year as a bench boss in U SPORTS.

In 2018, Bishop’s will look to improve on their 1-7 record and cement their place in the AUS as   Nicolas has a year under his belt, and the majority of the team will now be familiar with the game-day charter flights in and out of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Both the Gaiters’ offence and defence will have new faces calling the plays in 2018. Justin Chapdelaine will take the reins of the offence, while Fabrice Raymond will work with Nicolas to coordinate the defence. Jerome Erdman is back as the Special Teams Coordinator.

Quote from head coach: Cherif Nicolas

“We want to be the best version of the Bishop’s Gaiters that we can be,” said Nicolas. “We will work hard each and every day to accomplish this.  I’m excited to have Fabrice and Justin join our staff, they both have post-season experience in U SPORTS and I’m sure will get the respect from our players and staff.”

Head Coach: Cherif Nicolas

• Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2018): 2
• Number of seasons as head coach in U SPORTS (including 2018): 2
• Career regular season record with team: 1-7
• Career regular season record in U SPORTS: 1-7
• Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 1-7
• Career overall record in U SPORTS (reg. season & playoffs only): 1-7

• 2017 regular season record: 4-4
• 2017 regular season standings: 4th
• 2017 playoff record: 0-0
• 2017 playoff finish: Missed playoffs

General Write-Up:

The Mounties finished the 2017 strong, by winning their final three games. The finished tied for third place in the AUS but missed the playoffs based on tiebreakers. After the season, the Mounties hired Peter Fraser to be the new head football coach.

Coach Fraser is very familiar with the AUS, as he spent eight seasons with Acadia University. Coach Fraser also brings CFL experience to the Mounties, having spent two training camps with the Saskatchewan Roughriders as an intern. Most recently, he was the defensive coordinator with the Windsor Lancers

In the upcoming season, the Mounties have holes to fill at many key positions, but have many strong returning starters and contributors who are ready to step in. The Mounties believe they have the ability to defeat anybody in the conference.

Quote from head coach: Peter Fraser

“I am excited to see what 2018 brings. We have a great group of players and assistant coaches here at Mount Allison. Our players are tough, fast, and physical. It is our goal to compete to win every game. Chris Reid on offence is a very special player, and running behind our offensive line, one of the best in the AUS should make it a very good year for Chris. Defensively, we have a very strong group, lead by Nate Rostek (safety), and Damien Halstead (linebacker). We are looking to take steps towards becoming one of the top defenses in the AUS. Our new special teams coordinator, James Price will be looking to continue Mount Allison’s history of being great on pecial teams. Idahosa Yorke is one of the best returners in the country.

Head Coach: Peter Frase

• Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2018): 1
• Number of seasons as head coach in U SPORTS (including 2018): 1
• Career regular season record with team: 0-0
• Career regular season record in U SPORTS: 0-0
• Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 0-0
• Career overall record in U SPORTS (reg. season & playoffs only): 0-0

• 2017 regular season record: 5-3
• 2017 regular season standings: 2^nd in AUS
• 2017 playoff finish: Lost 45-38 in 2OT to Acadia in Loney Bowl

General Write-Up:

As the Huskies look forward to 2018 while refelecting back on how far they have come, two seasons ago the program had lost 18 straight games. In 2017, the Huskies played for a Loney Bowl.  The 2018 team will be fighting for a whole lot more this season.

Quote from head coach: James Colzie III

“Excited to get the season going, as we return five starters on the offensive line and the All-AUS quarterback under centre. We lost some pretty good players on the defensive side of the football but that’s why you recruit and believe in the developmental side of your football team.”

Head Coach: James Colzie III

• Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2018):3rd
• Number of seasons as head coach in U SPORTS (including 2018):3rd
• Career regular season record with team: 7-9
• Career regular season record in U SPORTS: 7-9
• Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only):7-10
• Career overall record in U SPORTS (reg. season & playoffs only):7-10