Recap by: Evan Richtsfeld/UNB Athletics
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS are Atlantic Football League champions after defeating the Dalhousie Tigers 31-28 on Saturday evening at UNB's BMO Centre.
Quarterback Jonah Rawlines played a pivotal role, throwing for two touchdown passes, propelling the REDS to their fifth Moosehead Cup and first since 2019.
"We worked hard all season, and we were able to accomplish our goal today," said Rawlines. "We had a few mistakes during the game, but we played with a lot of passion, a lot of heart and we came out on top in the end."
The REDS' offense came out of the gates firing, scoring on their first two drives.
Rawlines showcased precision passing, connecting with Jace Taylor over the middle, resulting in a 25-yard touchdown and an early 7-0 lead for UNB.
The REDS added a field goal on their ensuing drive, increasing their lead to 10-0.
"That's what our gameplan was all week," said Rawlines. "We've started out slow all year and we really wanted to make a statement today to start the game."
Despite a strong start from UNB, the Tigers managed to put points on the board with a remarkable 44-yard field goal from kicker Okyay Kapenek, narrowing the gap to 10-3 in favor of the REDS.
In the closing moments of the quarter, with the Tigers on the offensive, Dalhousie quarterback Dante Gabrielli threw an interception to UNB's Sebastien Brown. Brown returned the ball to the endzone, extending UNB's lead to 17-3 as the first quarter came to a close.
In the second, the Tigers clawed back, with a well-executed drive culminating in a five-yard touchdown from Caden Quong, bringing the score to 17-10.
UNB's offense, however, remained relentless.
Rawlines connected with Justin Remillard for a 50-yard pass, setting up a short-yardage situation that Cam Haward capitalized on, pushing the REDS' lead to 24-10.
On the final play of the half, Dalhousie exploited a blown coverage play by the REDS, as Gabrielli connected with Ethan Lord for a touchdown, bringing the score to 24-17.
The third quarter saw both teams trading blows, with Dalhousie narrowing the gap to 24-18 through a single from Kapenek.
Rawlines responded for UNB, finding Remillard once again for a long pass that resulted in a touchdown, extending their lead to 31-25.
The Tigers opened the fourth quarter with a touchdown as Gabrielli eluded a UNB rusher to reach the endzone, making it 31-25.
Kapenek later added a field goal, closing the gap to just three points with 6:36 remaining.
In the final minutes, the Tigers attempted a last-ditch effort from their own 15-yard line with 1:27 on the clock. But the REDS' defense rose to the occasion, pressuring Gabrielli on third and 10, forcing an incompletion and allowing the REDS to kneel out the game.
"We got a lot of heart on our team," said Rawlines. "We love this game, and we love each other, and we play hard. That's what helped us in the end."