Saint Mary’s loses Uteck Bowl to Montreal but more confident than ever program headed in right direction

Saint Mary’s Huskies running back Reece Wyke goes airborne after being tackled by Montreal Carabins defensive back Tom Graffin and linebacker Benjamin Blaise during the second half of the Uteck Bowl at Huskies Stadium on Saturday. The Carabins beat the Huskies 49-19. Photo by Ryan Taplin /Chronicle HeraldArticle contentThe Saint Mary’s Huskies got back to the top of the AUS football ladder this year but will have to wait until next season to try to climb the next one.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentSMU won its first Loney Bowl since 2010 and had a chance to get back to the Vanier Cup for the first time since 2007. But some unfinished business at inopportune times and a tough opponent from Montreal stood in their way of approaching the ultimate peak. The visiting Carabins built a 22-2 first-half lead on their way to a 49-19 win in Saturday’s Uteck Bowl at Huskies Stadium.Article contentArticle contentArticle content“We know what the score says but I think we were right there,” SMU receiver Chandler Zinck-Marier said. “We just missed a couple of opportunities that definitely would have changed the game. If we came away with points early, I think it would have been a much different game. But I think regardless, if you actually watched the game, I think it showed that we can hang with a team like that.”Article contentDespite letting the Carabins jump out to an early 15-0 lead, the Huskies were just a handful of broken plays from being right in it in the first half. A sequence of agonizing near misses in the red zone in the second quarter, featuring everything from an end zone turnover, a Montreal goal line stand and a called back interception return, robbed the home team of its best shot at some meaningful momentum.Article content“We’ve just got to execute in those situations and get in the end zone. That’s on us as a team,” SMU running back Liam Legge said.Article contentArticle content“I mean, it is what it is. They obviously outscored us but I feel like we just shot ourselves in the foot a few times. We’ll just have to wait until next year now and come back hungrier than ever.”Article content Montreal Carabins defensive back Samuel Lapierre breaks up a pass intended for Saint Mary’s Huskies receiver Cherokee Robinson during the second half of the Uteck Bowl in Halifax on Saturday. Photo by Ryan Taplin /Chronicle HeraldArticle contentEven down three touchdowns entering the second half, the Huskies still felt like a comeback was in reach. They brought a spark early in the third quarter, cutting the Montreal’s lead to 22-12, but the Carabins were just too responsible on both sides of the football to let it get any closer than that.Article content“I think the first little bit of the game was just a feeling out process because we didn’t know each other at all,” Zinck-Marier said. “So there was a point where you’re out there just thinking ‘What are they going to come at us with because we didn’t really know, right?’ But once we settled in, I think we started getting stuff going. We just didn’t come away with points, unfortunately, in the red zone.”