HOUSTON, Texas – Senior C.J. Okpalobi rushed for 103 yards with the final 12 leading to the game-winning touchdown as the Nicholls State University football team defeated HBU in double overtime, 33-30, on Saturday night at Husky Stadium.
 
The game marked the third overtime contest for the Colonels in just six games as they improved their record to 3-3 overall and 3-1 in the Southland. Nicholls will host undefeated Sam Houston State next weekend, which will more than likely head to Thibodaux as the No. 1 team in the country.
 
HBU (2-4, 1-3 SLC) took the lead in the fourth, 27-24, on a 24-yard touchdown run by Tony Dawson with just 1:25 remaining in the game. But the Colonels sent the game into overtime when David McKey booted a 35-yard field goal with six seconds remaining.
 
After both teams missed field goals in the first overtime, HBU connected on a 35-yarder to start the second. On the Colonels' possession, the offense picked up a first down before Okpalobi found a seam and ran untouched into the end zone for the 33-30 victory.
 
Okpalobi ran the ball 23 times for his second career 100-yard outing, while Chase Fourcade threw for 218 yards and a touchdown on 16-of-26 passing. His touchdown came in the second quarter to Damion Jeanpiere on a 50-yard strike, which gave Nicholls a 14-10 lead.
 
The Colonels' first touchdown was via special teams when Sully Laiche blocked a field goal in the opening quarter and it was returned 84 yards by Ronald Ollie, giving Nicholls a 7-3 advantage. HBU answered with a 2-yard TD run by B.J. Kelly early in the second before Fourcade and Jeanpiere connected on a touchdown for the fourth time this season.
 
Nicholls scored with 3:17 to go before the break on a 10-yard run by Fourcade for a 21-10 lead.
 
The Huskies stormed back in the third, outscoring Nicholls 10-0. With the offense struggling, Jeff Hall gave the Colonels the play they needed with an interception as Nicholls took over at the HBU 18. McKey extended the lead to 24-20 with a career-long 44-yarder.
 
HBU then took the lead on Dawson's 24-yard rush with 1:25 to go in the game. But the Colonels caught a huge break on the final drive, getting 25 yards off penalties to setup McKey's game-tying field goal.
 
After recording a career-high 10 tackles last week, Allen Pittman set a new mark with 14 stops. B.T. Sanders finished with 11, while Ahmani Martin and Christian Boutte had eight each. Darryl Adams was credited with a sack late in the second quarter, which prevented HBU from being able to kick a field goal before time expired.
 
Jeanpiere led the Colonel receivers with 90 yards on four receptions.
 
Next weekend's game against Sam Houston will be televised on the American Sports Network. The game will also be the annual Family Day and will kickoff at 2:30 p.m.