Gaiters stun X-Men in Lennoxville

Dylan Monico – Contributor

On Aug. 31, 2024 the 10th-ranked Bishop’s Gaiters took down the 8th-ranked X-men of St. Francis Xavier 37-27 on Coulter Field. The Gaiters handed X their first loss to an Atlantic University Sport (AUS) opponent since Oct. 11, 2019, ending a 28-game win streak. The Gaiters win snaps an 8-game losing streak against the X-men and helps them improve to 2-0 on the season, earning them first place in the conference after the first three weeks of league play.

Justin Quirion (3rd-year, Saint-Georges, QC) returns as the signal caller for the Gaiters and was a tremendous 29-37 for 361 passing yards, adding two touchdowns. Quirion’s main target against the X-men was 5th-year receiver Oliver Burnett (Fredericton, NB). Burnett finished the day with six catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. As successful as Bishops was through the air, the Gaiters also attributed 259 yards on the ground. Leading the charge for the Gaiters was second year running back O’shae Ho-Sang (Lasalle, QC). Ho-Sang was a spark against the X-men as he tallied 124 rushing yards off of 18 carries, also scoring two touchdowns. In addition, Ho-Sang contributed three catches for 57 yards and an additional 143 yards in the return game. Ho-Sang could not be stopped by the opposition, as he combined for 324 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. Veteran running back Marco Briones (5th year, Monterrey, Mexico) was another constant on the field, earning 95 yards of his own.

Together, the Gaiters offense totalled 604 yards, more than doubling the total of the St. FX. The offense of Bishops wasn’t the only story in the win, as the Gaiter’s defense held the X-men to just 284 total yards. Senior defensive lineman Brandon-James Poulin-Marques (5th year, Montreal, QC) was a force in the trenches, gathering four solo tackles including two tackles for loss and a sack. On the backend for the defense Jean Aubert (4th year, Lyon, France) was phenomenal, racking up six total tackles including one tackle for loss, as well as two pass breakups. Krystopher Isidore (5th year, Montreal, QC) was another crucial piece in the passing game for the Gaiters defense, garnering three pass breakups of his own. Gaiters kicker Xavier Gervais (4th year, Ottawa, On) knocked through two field goals and was 4 for 4 on point after attempts.

The Gaiters move onto a bye week after defeating X and will be back in action on Coulter Field, on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 2 p.m. as they look to defend home soil against the visiting Axemen of Acadia.