With two returning all-star tailbacks, it was easy to assume the run game would be the least of the Saint Mary’s Huskies’ concerns in 2010.
But with a rebuilt offensive line learning the ropes, the Huskies faltered on the ground as they stumbled to three straight losses to open the Atlantic University Sport football season.
It wasn’t until Week 4 that the Huskies — led by the dash-smash tandem of Craig Leger and Devon Jones — broke through, rushing for 454 yards and three touchdowns in a win over the Acadia Axemen.
“It was kind of nice to be able to get that part of our game moving,” Huskies head coach Steve Sumarah said. “We made a huge commitment all year but we really committed to it against Acadia, and the end result was it worked out.”
The Huskies will look to keep rumbling tomorrow night in Antigonish, when they play a pivotal game against the St. Francis Xavier X-Men at 7 p.m.
The teams are tied for last at 1-3, meaning the winner will climb out of the basement and sit tied for second place at 2-3.
“We win, the league’s tighter … We lose, and everyone else is getting farther and farther away,” Sumarah said.
While 454 rushing yards isn’t a reasonable expectation on a week-to-week basis, continued success on the ground will be paramount to the Huskies’ success.
“Unfortunately, it’s a new game and a new week,” Sumarah said. “X has played us tough every game, every year. We’re not resting on our laurels and saying, ‘Oh, we’re back now’ (because of one win).
“This is a huge, huge game for us.”
