NATCHITOCHES, La. – Senior wide receiver
C.J. Bates finished with 179 yards receiving and tied the program single-game record with three touchdown receptions as the Nicholls State University football team scored 17 unanswered points in the second half to defeat rival Northwestern State, 31-14, Saturday night at Turpin Stadium.
With the win, Nicholls improves to 4-4 overall, 4-2 in the Southland and claims the NSU Trophy for the first time since 2013. The win is also just the fifth for the Red and Gray in Natchitoches in 22 games.
Quarterback
Chase Fourcade racked up 253 yards passing on 21-of-36 and had a hand in all four touchdowns. He hit Bates for 24-, 2- and 74-yard touchdowns and scored on a 1-yard keeper in the second to give Nicholls a 14-7 lead.
The Colonels finished with 432 yards of offense, with 179 coming on the ground.
Mason Boudreaux carried the load for Nicholls with career-highs in carries (21) and yards (85). But it was Bates who was the star of the night as he put his name in the record book with his three touchdown catches – tying Mark Carrier, who did it three times, and Brian Stropolo, for the program single-game mark.
After NSU (1-7, 0-6 SLC) scored on a 34-yard touchdown by De'Mar Llorens, who had 112 yards on 16 carries, the Colonels answered early in the second quarter. Starting the drive at midfield, Nicholls needed just six plays to tie the game as Fourcade found Bates over the middle for a 24-yard score.
On their next possession, the Colonels chewed up nearly eight minutes on a methodic 20-play drive that went 80 yards. Boudreaux had nine carries before Fourcade plowed through the pile on a 3rd-and-goal from the 1.
The lead was short-lived however as the Demons scored on a 56-yard touchdown catch by Bobby Chan-Chan from Brooks Haack before the break. Despite the long reception, the Colonels caused problems for the Demon passing game as they had just 112 yards and threw three interceptions.
Two of the picks came in the second half, but not before the Colonels were able to take a 21-14 lead. Nicholls scored on the opening drive of the third as Bates fought off a defender for a 2-yard touchdown catch. A minute later, linebacker
Hezekiah White recorded his first career interception with a snag on the sideline and it led to a 74-yard strike from Fourcade to Bates down the right sideline.
The Colonel defense pitched a shutout in the second half, holding NSU to just 256 yards for the game.
David McKey added a 31-yard field goal in the fourth to make the final.
Darryl Adams led the defense with seven tackles and
Sully Laiche, who was named to the STATS FCS Freshman of the Year Watch List earlier this week, recorded 1.5 sacks.
Jeff Hall had an interception on the game's first drive.
Nicholls returns home for its next game, hosting Lamar on Thursday night (Nov. 3). Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the contest will be televised on Cox Sports TV.
For the latest news on Colonel football, follow the team on twitter @Nicholls_FB.
