By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER finishing near the bottom of the pile last year, the Acadia Axemen, featuring three Bahamians, rose to the top to win the 2017 Atlantic University Sports (AUS) championship title on Tuesday night.

It took a shootout for the Axemen to prevail with a 45-38 victory over the Saint Mary's Huskies and a shot at the undefeated OUA champions Western Mustangs in the U Sports UTeck Bowl this weekend.

The UTeck Bowl, which replaced the Atlantic Bowl, is named in honour of Larry Uteck, former head coach (1983-97) and athletic director (1995-2002) of the Saint Mary's Huskies.

While wide receiver Eugene McMinns played exceptionally well in his final conference game, head coach Jeff Cummins said he was pleased with the contributions that he got from defensive back Arrien McDonald and offensive linesman Shelton Williams.

"It was a great opportunity for our players to win a championship and to wear that crown and to hoist the trophy as the champions of our conference," McMinns said.

"I'm pleased for our team, especially Eugene as this is his last year and if we had lost, it would have been his last game, but he was a big reason why we are playing another game this Saturday. He was just outstanding."

McMinns had a big game with a touchdown on a catch and run for a 44-yard reception to power Acadia from a 24-21 deficit in the third quarter for a 28-24 advantage over Saint Mary's.

McMinns ended up with six catches for a total of 144 yards, an average of 8.5 with 11 as the longest yard after he rushed twice for 17 yards for an average of 8.5 with his longest being 11 yards.

McMinns also produced six kickoff returns for 148 yards, an average of 24.7 with the longest 41 yards and he had three punt returns for 66 yards, an average of 22.0 with a 50-yard run as the longest posted.

McDonald, on the other hand, had a couple of kick returns and played very well on the defensive end, according to Cummins. As for Williams, he didn't play a lot of snaps.

"All three of those guys have been a pleasure to coach and to have on the team," Cummins pointed out. "Hopefully Eugene can get to play somewhere as a professional."

After transferring to play with Acadia two years ago, McMinns returned to Holland College last year. However, he returned to Acadia this year to complete his collegiate sting.

He joined Williams, who played two years ago for Acadia, but had to sit out last year because of an injury, only to return this year, while this was the second year for McDonald.

McMinns stands at six feet and weighs 210 pounds, while McDonald is 5-9 and 190 lbs and Williams is 6-6 and 290 lbs.

"These guys are great ambassadors for the Bahamas and we continue to look for talent all over the world, but we are lucky to have these guys playing for Acadia," Cummins summed up. "I'm excited that they got to play for us and to be able to follow their dreams."

Cummins said after finishing second to last place a year ago, the Axemen made a remarkable turn-a-round to capture the conference title on Monday after completing the regular season on top of the standings with a 7-2 record.

On Saturday, the Axemen will have a three-day rest before they host the 10-0 Western Mustangs in the Uteck Bowl game at 1:30pm. Cummins said they are going to be ready to face the 10-0 team.

If they are successful in winning the game, Acadia will go on to play in the 53rd National Championships on Saturday, November 25 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They will be playing for the prestigious Vanier Cup, which is the championship trophy of the Canadian College Bowl that was established in 1965.