THIBODAUX – Nicholls snapped a six-game losing streak while extending its winning streak to five consecutive over McNeese with a 31-7 Southland Conference win on Saturday here at Guidry Stadium.
The loss dropped the Cowboys' record to 2-6 overall and 1-3 in league play while the Colonels improved to 2-6 and 2-2 as they won for the first time since the season opener back on Aug. 23 against UIW.
Nicholls controlled the trenches, running for 303 yards while allowing 94 in the Cowboys' running game. Overall, Nicholls out-gained McNeese 464-264 in total offense and was great on third downs, converting 11 of 15 for the game including going 8-for-8 on 3
rd-and-short (1-4 yards) and 3-5 on third and 10 yards or more. The Colonels were a perfect 7-for-7 in the second half.
McNeese trailed 10-7 at the half and possessed the ball to begin the second half, but a 3
rd-and-21 pass by quarterback
Jake Strong on the run trying to evade a sack, was intercepted by Ty Marsh was returned 45 yards for a Nicholls touchdown to grow the Colonels' lead to 17-7. That play was set up after McNeese was flagged for back-to-back holding calls, which negated 16 yards gained and a first down.
The Colonels controlled the rest of the third quarter after that defensive score, converting on four third downs their next drive, including on a 3
rd-and-14 at their own 10-yard line after McNeese was flagged for a roughing the passer penalty on an incompletion which would have forced a punt, and later on a 3
rd-and-11 on a 13-yard completion to get the ball to the McNeese side of the field.
Nicholls added two fourth quarter touchdowns in a three-minute span to build a 31-7 lead.
Miequle Brock Jr. led the Nicholls running game with 104 yards while quarterback Ean Rodrigue added 77 yards and a touchdown. Rodrigue added 161 yards passing and a score on 12 of 20 throws.
McNeese quarterback
Jake Strong completed 10 of 18 passes for 170 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He added 36 yards on the ground on nine carries to lead the team.
Next Up:
• McNeese will return home next Saturday when it hosts Northwestern State at Navarre Stadium. Kick-off is 6 p.m.
Notebook:
• Game went into a lightning delay 16 minutes before kick-off. Game was kicked at 3:24 for a 38-minute delay.
• Nicholls scored on its only two drives of the first quarter, going 10 and 12 plays respectively and totaling 10:25 in possession time.
• The Colonels gained 174 total yards in the first quarter, 128 in the running game.
• TE
Logan Mauldin's 20-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter was his second score on the season.
• WR C.J. Deville and TE
Reed Boyd made their first catches of the season.
• S
Shoes Brinkley recorded 10 tackles to register his third double-digit tackles game on season.
• McNeese won the coin toss and selected to defer to the second half.
How it Happened:
1
st NICH 10:29 – Ean Rodrigue 34 yd rush (Gabriel Showalter kick). 10 plays, 84 yards, 4:25. Nicholls, 7-0.
1
st NICH 00:55 – Showalter 22 yd field goal. 12 plays, 85 yards, 5:54. Nicholls, 10-0.
2
nd McN 13:26 –
Logan Mauldin 20 yd catch from
Jake Strong. 6 plays, 88 yards, 2:21. Nicholls, 10-7.
3
rd NICH 10:49 – Ty Marsh 45 yd interception return (Showalter kick). Nicholls, 17-7.
4
th NICH 14:30 – Shane Lee 1 yd rush (Showalter kick). 17 plays, 86 yards, 8:42. Nicholls, 24-7.
4
th NICH 11:49 – Karaaz Johnson 69 yd catch from Rodrigue (Showalter kick). 1 play, 69 yards, 0:09. Nicholls 31, McNeese 7.
