Oct. 18, 2008

Box Score

THIBODAUX, La. - Nicholls held a 19-7 lead after the first quarter and a 29-14 edge at halftime, but Stephen F. Austin rallied in second half to spoil the Colonels' first game in John L. Guidry Stadium this season by winning 50-39.

The Colonels (0-4, 0-2 SLC) piled up 331 yards of total offense in the loss and got a boast from the special teams unit once again with a 75-yard punt return from senior Lardarius Webb in the first quarter, however, the Lumberjacks (4-3, 2-0 SLC) put forth 525 total yards including 416 through the air from sophomore Jeremy Moses to get the victory.

"We didn't capitalize when we had opportunities in the game. We still have not put together four full quarters of football, and we lost today because of it," said Head Coach Jay Thomas.

"The team and I meet for a good while after the game, and we had a good long discussion about the things we did well today, and where we need improvement. That is not to take anything away from Stephen F. Austin. They played an outstanding game."

The Lumberjacks only had one turnover in the game, which was an interception on their opening drive. Junior linebacker Garrick Spain intercepted Moses on the opening drive, and ran it back 23 yards to the 1-yard line. Senior Vincent Montgomery scored on the ensuing play to take the early 6-0 lead at the 14:44 mark. Junior Ross Schexnayder failed on the PAT, his first miss of the season.

Spain led the Colonels with 10 total takedowns, five of which were solo, and an interception. The interception was the first of his career.

Montgomery finished with 59 yards rushing and three touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. He was 3-for-7 passing for 81 yards that included a 62 yard touchdown to junior Antonio Robinson in the first quarter at the 7:58 mark to give the Colonels a 12-0 lead with 7:58 on the clock. The two-point conversion attempt failed.

After the defense forced the Lumberjacks to punt, the Colonels' Webb continued his tirade on special teams with a 75-yard punt return to further boost Nicholls' first quarter lead. Schexnayder made due on his PAT to give the Colonels the 19-0 advantage at the 6:06 mark.

SFA did not get on the scoreboard until the 2:53 mark of the first quarter when Moses hooked up with junior Contrevious Parks from 17 yards out to cap off an 8-play 63 yard drive. Cory Long added the PAT to make the score 19-7.

Nicholls followed with its longest drive of the 2008 season, going 97 yards on 17-plays. The drive consumed 9:17, and was signified by a four yard Montgomery touchdown run. Schexnayder added the PAT for the Colonels to go up 26-7 with 2:53 left in the second quarter.

The Lumberjacks followed up with a score of their own as Moses found senior Dominique Edison from 37 yards out to steadily climb back from their early deficit. Long added the extra point to make the score 26-14 with 2:53 left in the half.

With eight seconds left in the half, Schexnayder tacked on a 27 yard field goal to send the Colonels into the locker room at halftime with a 29-14 lead. At the break, Nicholls was mistake free having no turnovers and 240 yards of total offense that included 11 first downs and a 5-for-8 third down conversion showing.

However, the second half was not one for the record books for Colonels as they were outscored 36-10 and held to only five first downs on offense. Nicholls also shot themselves in the foot with three turnovers that included two interceptions returned for touchdowns within the final 3:44 of the second half.

Despite their second half woes, the Colonels held a 39-36 lead with 3:44 left until Montgomery threw an interception as he was blindsided that junior linebacker Joe Savoie took 24 yards to pay dirt to give the Lumberjacks the lead that they would never relinquish. Long added the extra point to go up 43-39 with 3:44 left.

The following drive ended the same way the previous one did with junior Cory Barlow returning a Montgomery interception for a touchdown. Barlow's return went for 63-yards, and after Long added the extra point, SFA led 50-39. Neither team scored for the remainder of the game.

It was the Lumberjacks third consecutive win, including their second conference win that required a second half come back. Leading SFA on defense was senior Jabar Williams with 17 total tackles (seven solo) that included a forced fumble and a pass break up.

Nicholls will resume action next week in Lake Charles, La. when they take on No.13 McNeese State. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

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