CIS-CFB Game Preview: Saint Mary’s Huskies (3-0) vs. St. Francis Xavier X-Men (2-1)

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Venue & Logistics

  • Venue: Oland Stadium, Antigonish, Nova Scotia
  • Kickoff Time: 2:00 PM ADT
  • Broadcast: AUS TV, Eastlink Community TV, and local radio affiliates

Weather Forecast (Antigonish, NS)

  • Conditions: Partly cloudy skies
  • Temperature: 20°C (68°F) at kickoff, dipping to 16°C (61°F) by late game
  • Winds: 11 km/h from the northeast
  • Precipitation: 15% chance of light showers
  • Impact: Passing game should be unaffected; slight wind could influence special teams play

Injury Report

  • Saint Mary’s Huskies:
    • QB Duncan Patterson (shoulder) – Probable
    • WR Josh Henry (ankle) – Questionable
    • LB Liam O’Brien (concussion protocol) – Out
  • St. Francis Xavier X-Men:
  • RB Malcolm Bussey (hamstring) – Probable
  • OL Ben Cross (knee) – Out
  • DB Jayden Clarke (groin) – Game-time decision

Key Player Matchups

  • QB Duncan Patterson (SMU) vs. X-Men Secondary – Patterson’s mobility could test a StFX defense that has been opportunistic in the red zone.
  • RB Malcolm Bussey (StFX) vs. Huskies Front Seven – Bussey is the engine of the X-Men offense; if he’s healthy, expect 20+ touches.
  • WR Josh Henry (SMU) vs. DB Jayden Clarke (StFX) – If both are active, this one-on-one battle could swing momentum.
  • StFX Offensive Line (without Cross) vs. Huskies Pass Rush – Protection breakdowns could tilt the game toward SMU.

Recent Team Form

  • Saint Mary’s Huskies: 1-2
    • W vs. Mount Allison 24-17
    • L vs. Acadia 14-27
    • L vs. StFX (Exhibition) 21-29
    • Offense averaging 19.7 points per game; defense allowing 24.3.
  • St. Francis Xavier X-Men: 2-1
  • W vs. Bishop’s 28-14
  • W vs. Mount Allison 31-10
  • L vs. Acadia 20-23
  • Balanced attack; defense allowing just 15.7 points per game.

Series History

  • All-Time Meetings: StFX leads 42-38
  • Last 5 Meetings: StFX 4-1
  • Most Recent: StFX 29, SMU 21 (Exhibition, 2025)

Betting Trends

  • StFX is 6-2 ATS in last 8 vs. Saint Mary’s.
  • The Under has hit in 5 of the last 7 meetings.
  • Saint Mary’s is 2-7 ATS in last 9 road games.
  • StFX is 9-1 straight up in last 10 home games.

Historical Betting Results

  • 2024: StFX -7.5, won 27-14 → Cover, Under
  • 2023: StFX -10, won 31-17 → Cover, Push on Total
  • 2022: StFX -6.5, won 24-21 → No Cover, Under

Game Odds

Saint Mary’s Huskies                      46.5

St. Francis Xavier X-Men               – 8.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025