Oct. 11, 2008

Final Stats

NATCHITOCHES, La. - After coming back from a 16-point deficit in the first half to take a 22-21 lead to the locker room, the Colonels only managed one score after the halftime interlude, falling 36-28 to Northwestern State Saturday night in the opening Southland Conference match-up of the season.

"The guys played hard, and we played well. This is always a tough place [Turpin Stadium] to come and play," said Head Coach Jay Thomas.

With the loss, Nicholls drops to 0-3 (0-1 SLC) on the season, while the Demons improve to 4-2 (1-0 SLC) with the victory.

"We had our opportunities in the game and capitalized on some, but we missed out on some key ones. The team is definitely looking forward to playing in front of their own fans for a change next week."

The Colonels first two scoring drives were made possible to two 50-plus yard kickoff returns by Nicholls' special teams unit. Both resulted in field goals by junior Ross Schexnayder (27, 36) as the offense struggled to move the ball down field. Webb was responsible for the first return of 52-yards, and true freshman Cornell Howard made due on the second by scampering 54-yards.

Nicholls finished with seven kickoff returns for 251 yards and a touchdown. Senior Lardarius Webb finished with 178 yards on three returns with a 78-yard touchdown. He was also led the game with 214 all-purpose yards.

In between Schexnayder field goals in the first quarter, the Demons reached pay dirt on a 46-yard pass play from John Hundley to Dudley Guice. The scoring drive went a total of 60-yards on four plays and used 1:50 off the clock. It was also the first Northwestern State touchdown against Nicholls since the 2005 season.

The Demons added to their lead in the first quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run at the 1:24 mark. Byron Lawrence did the honor and Robert Weeks followed with the point after for Northwestern State to take the 14-6 lead. The drive used 3:06 off the clock, and covered 48-yards on six plays.

Hundley continued to have success against the Colonel defense as he found Gordon Freeman for the two-yard strike early in the second quarter. Weeks added the PAT to cap off the five-play, 30-yard scoring drive that resulted from a senior Vincent Montgomery fumble. The touchdown gave Northwestern State a 21-6 lead, and 14 unanswered points.

However, the Colonels offense settled in and got in a groove as they ended the first half with 17 consecutive points to take a 22-21 halftime lead. Schexnayder connected on a 20-yard field goal at the 9:39 mark, which was followed by a powerful Nicholls defensive stand to put the offense back on the field. With that series, senior Chris Bunch found junior Antonio Robinson down the left side for a 63-yard scoring reception. Schexnayder added the PAT to cut the Demon into the lead and make the score 21-16 at the 7:28 mark.

Bunch finished the game 4-of-15 for 100-yards and a touchdown by air, while also having 12 carries for 95 yards. Robinson, a former junior college teammate of Bunch's, had four receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown in the loss.

After forcing another punt, the Colonels cashed in on what could have been a disastrous situation when Bunch over-pitched junior A.J. Williams in the backfield on fourth and goal from the 1-yard line. The Demons failed to recover the lose ball, but Colonel senior Isa Hines scooped it up and fully extended to cross the plane for the score. Schexnayder added the PAT, and Nicholls took the lead 22-21 at the 3:13 mark. Neither team scored for the remainder of the half.

The third quarter was dominated by special-teams play, which was responsible for both teams' points during the 15-minute period. NWLA's Weeks nailed two field goals in the quarter with the first testing his leg from 48-yards, but he made it with ease to retake the lead 24-22 at the 10:29 mark.

Nicholls' Webb took all momentum back with his 78-yard kickoff return following the Weeks field goal, giving the Colonels the 28-24 lead. Weeks made his second field goal of the quarter at the 7:16 mark with this one coming from 43-yards out. The field goal was made possible by a seven play 36-yard drive.

The Demons padded their lead in the fourth as Sterli Endsley ran it in from 10 yards out to put Northwestern ahead for good, but then Branch failed to convert on the two-point conversion and the Demons were left hanging on to a six-point advantage. But Northwestern State would get on the board once more before the end of the night as Weeks put one between the uprights from 29 yards out for a 36-28 lead to finish out the night.

Leading the Colonels on defense was junior Garrick Spain with a game-high 10 tackles (nine solo) despite only playing the final three quarters. Following Spain was redshirt freshman Anri Stewart with six, all of which were solo.

Nicholls will return to action next Saturday (Oct. 18), facing Stephen F. Austin in the first home game of the 2008 season. Kick off is set for 2 p.m. at John L. Guidry Stadium. Saturday will be Family Day for the Colonels, and will also feature the 2008 Hall of Fame inductions.

Notes: When Nicholls takes the field in John L. Guidry on October 18, they will be the last NCAA Division I institution to play a home football game... Senior Chris Bunch took every snap under center from the 14:31 mark of the second quarter on... Nicholls was perfect on fourth downs on the season until the 11:19 mark of the fourth quarter... The Colonels have six touchdowns this season; two rushing, two passing and two from special teams... Junior Ross Schexnayder is 4-for-4 on field goals this season with a long of 36-yards.

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