Oct. 27, 2007

Final Stats

CONWAY, Ark. - Senior fullback Broderick Cole rushed for 196 yards and four touchdowns against the Bears in Estes Stadium, but Nicholls could not stop the scoring onslaught of Central Arkansas as they fell 49-42 in overtime.

"I remember the last time that we played them (in 2000), and it was a shoot out. Their offense is just so explosive and we gave them to many opportunities tonight," said head coach Jay Thomas. "Broderick (Cole) is a fine young man, and he, like all of our seniors gave it their all tonight. We still have a lot to play for."

Cole's four touchdowns tied the Nicholls record for most in a game. Former Colonel great Oscar Smith accomplished the task in 1985 when he rushed for four scores against Troy State. The New Orleans, La. native now has 30-career rushing touchdowns, which is the most the Nicholls history.

The list of accolades kept coming for Cole as he now stands sixth on Nicholls all-time rushing list with 1,933 yards to his credit and 180 points to his name to place him seventh on the all-time scoring list.

For the game, both teams combined for over 1,000 yards of offense as the Bears recorded 559 and the Colonels put up 470 total in the game. Of the Bears 49 points, 28 of them came in the fourth quarter and overtime.

The Colonels (5-3, 2-2) shut down the Bears (5-3, 4-1) offense to open the game, and took over after a Central Arkansas punt on their own 16-yard line. It only took three-plays for Nicholls to punch it in the end zone as senior fullback Joseph Tobias did the honor from nine yards out. Senior Alex Romero tacked on the extra point to take the 7-0 lead at the 11:22 mark of the first quarter. The 85-yard scoring drive was powered by Cole who had two carries for 75-yards that included a 67-yard dash.

Central Arkansas answered right back with a lengthy scoring drive of their own that went a total of 14-plays for 77-yards. True freshman Spencer Hebert punched it in for the Bears from the one-yard line to cap off the scoring drive that used 7:54 of game clock. Senior James Paul added the extra point to tie the score 7-7.

The Bears offense attack put seven more points on the board after a three and out by the Colonels as junior quarterback Nathan Brown found sophomore Preston Echols in the right corner of the end zone for 20-yards. Paul added the extra point for the Bears to go up 14-7 at the 18:04 mark of the second quarter. Central Arkansas' drive went a total of six plays for 78-yards and used 2:10 of official clock.

Cole answered right back for the Colonels as he scored from the three yard line to put six on the board for Nicholls at the 8:04 mark of the second quarter. Romero added the point after attempt to tie the score up at 14 to cap off the 13-play 72-yard drive that used 5:55 of official game time. Cole's touchdown placed him seventh on the all-time scoring list with 162 career points, surpassing former Colonel great Mark Carrier on the prestigious list.

Senior defensive end Dominic Cooper came up with a huge sack on the Bears ensuing drive that forced Central Arkansas to punt. Then the Colonels offense took over, and Cole carried Nicholls to pay dirt once again for the go ahead score. The New Orleans, La. native scored from five yards out to seal the deal on the eight play 63-yard drive that used 3:58 of official clock. Romero tacked on the extra point to give Nicholls the 21-14 lead at the 2:58 mark of the second quarter.

However, Central Arkansas showed why they are the best offense in the Southland and marched 54-yards down the field in 10-plays to tie the game with 28 seconds left in the first half. Brown hit Marquez Branson from 13-yards out for the touchdown, and Paul added the extra point to tie the score at 21. The Bears drive used 2:22.

At half, Cole had 13 carries for 153 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Colonels rushing attack of 226 yards. Nicholls did not attempt a pass in the first half, with all 28 first half plays relying solely on the ground game.

Junior Ladarius Webb opened the second half with a 61-yard kickoff return, but junior running back Zack Morgan fumbled at the Bears' nine yard line and Central Arkansas took over. However Nicholls defense got the ball back after sophomore linebacker Garrick Spain stripped Hebert of the ball at the 16-yard line, and junior linebacker Dwayne Jones recovered and returned the fumble to the Bears 48-yard line.

It only took three plays for the Colonels to get the go ahead score at the 9:38 mark of the third quarter. Cole crossed the goal-line from five yards out for his third of the game and 29th career touchdown tying Josh Sons for the most rushing touchdowns in Colonels history. Romero missed the extra point as the Colonels led 27-21.

After a strong stand by Nicholls defense, the Colonels added another touchdown as Cole scored again for his fourth trot to pay dirt in the contest. His fourth rushing touchdown tied the most by a Nicholls player in a game, and it was also his 30th career rushing touchdown, which gave him the all-time career rushing record in Colonels history. Romero made up for his extra point miss and ran it in for two points to give Nicholls the 35-21 lead at the 11:12 mark of the fourth quarter.

Central Arkansas scored on their next drive as sophomore Brent Grimes did the deed on a 16-yard touchdown run to cap off a six play 75-yard touchdown. Paul added the extra point to cut into the Colonels lead, 35-28.

Nicholls was forced to punt on their ensuing drive, and the Bears took advantage of their opportunity as Brown tossed a 40-yard off target to junior Eric Ware for the game tying touchdown at the 6:09 mark of the fourth quarter. The drive went a total of five plays 59-yards and used 2:06 of official game time. Paul connected on the extra point to tie the game at 35.

A costly turnover by Cole on the Colonels' next offensive series set the Bears up with good field position at their own 47-yard line with 4:40 remaining in the game. Central Arkansas capitalized as Brown hit sophomore Nick Cowger on the bootleg at the 1:27 mark of the final quarter. The drive went for 53-yards on eight plays and was very time consuming by using 3:17. Paul tacked on the extra point as the Bears went up 42-35.

The Colonels then went to work on offense as Montgomery showed off his passing skills and brought Nicholls to the promise land on the hands of senior wide receiver Michael Okoronkwo on a 20-yard touchdown. The drive went a total used only 48 seconds and went a total of 74-yards on seven plays. Romero added the extra point the Colonels and Bears headed into overtime tied at 42.

The Bears scored on their first possession in overtime on a one yard run by Grimes to go ahead by the full seven after Paul added the extra point. Nicholls failed to score on their offensive series, in which they turned it over to end the game.

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