6:18 remaining in the 1st quarter. Daniel Ellis attempted a 36 yard field goal for Alberta that was blocked by Nova Scotia just before the end of the quarter.
Special teams began to become a big factor in the 2nd quarter, starting with a muffed punt return by Nova Scotia that Alberta recovered on the NS 38 yard line . Alberta converted the turnover on a QB keeper by Boston Rowe to put them up 14 to 0 Alberta with 7:51 remaining in the 2nd quarter. Alberta added to their lead with 3:13 remaining in the half with a Daniel Ellis 26 yard field goal. Nova Scotia blocked a punt and Taylor MacDonald picked it up and ran it in for a TD with just 1:19 remaining in the half.
Halftime: Alberta 17 Nova Scotia 7
The second half started with a rouge single off the opening kickoff by Nova Scotia’s Chase Kodejs. Some back and forth action ensued, with Alberta inserting QB Chris Merchant after an errant throw by Rowe. Merchant made a key scramble for a first down, to the Nova Scotia 2 yard line. Rowe returned to run the QB Keeper in to make it 24 to 8 Alberta mid way through the quarter. Nova Scotia tried on a 3rd and long yard gamble at their own 49 yard line – but Alberta’s defensive line came up with the stop. On the next drive Scott Hannah made an acrobatic catch in the end zone from Merchant, putting Alberta up 31 to 8.
After a Nova Scotia fumble, Alberta drove the field behind the running of Ryder Stone and Chris Merchant but the Nova Scotia defense held strong and forced a turnover on downs. Alberta defense forced a two and out and Nova Scotia conceded safety on 3rd down. Alberta drove the field again and after a bad snap QB Chris Merchant picked it up and ran it in for the Alberta touchdown (PAT blocked) making score Alberta 39 Nova Scotia 8 with 5:59 remaining in the 4th quarter.
FINAL
Alberta 39 Nova Scotia 8
GAME MVPs:
Alberta
Offense:
QB 12 Chris Merchant
Defense
LB 10 Troy Hansen
Nova Scotia
Offense:
11 K Chase Kodejs
Defense:
DB 28 Taylor MacDonald
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