Nov. 8, 2008

Box Score

THIBODAUX, La. - Nicholls fell behind 24-0 in the first quarter and could not overcome the early deficit, as Sam Houston State won 47-37 in John L. Guidry Stadium on Saturday.

The Colonels (2-5, 2-3 SLC) had an impressive ground attack, piling up 196 yards rushing while also adding another 107 yards through the air. However, the Bearkats (3-4, 2-3 SLC) countered with some offensive firepower of their own, racking up 576 total yards of offense, and capitalized on five Colonel turnovers. The Colonels first three possessions resulted in three turnovers, leading to 21 first quarter points for the Bearkats.

Sam Houston State was also very efficient on third down, converting 8-of-16, while also racking up 34 first downs. Nicholls was limited to 4-of-11 on third down conversions, while only managing 15 first downs.

"We can't expect to beat somebody in the Southland Conference if we play like we did today. That's not to take any credit away from Sam Houston State. We knew coming in their record was deceiving, and they played an excellent ball game," said Head Coach Jay Thomas.

"I have to give credit to our guys and how they responded to being down a lot early. They never gave up, and we made a game of it. But we dug ourselves a big hole early."

The Bearkats were aided in their win by running back James Aston, who accounted for 142 yards rushing and a school-record tying four touchdowns. Of Aston's four touchdowns, three of them were in the first half. Also, being as good as advertised was quarterback Rhett Bomar, who was 25-for-48 for 394 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Bomar connected with seven different receivers, and leading the group was wide receiver Catron Houston with eight receptions for 116 yards.

Nicholls was led statistically by senior quarterback Chris Bunch who gained 199 total yards (107 passing) including two passing touchdowns. Bunch also started the game, marking his first start under center this season. Senior running back Isa Hines also added two touchdowns, one receiving and one rushing, in the loss.

After the first quarter, the Bearkats led 24-0 and Nicholls did not get on the scoreboard until junior Ross Schexnayder connected on a 44-yard field goal with 13:01 left in the half.

On the ensuing possession, junior defensive back Jamal Simmons recorded his first career interception as he picked off Bomar in the end zone. The Colonels offense sputtered and was forced to punt, leading to another score for the Bearkats to go up 31-3 at the 7:56 mark of the second quarter.

The Colonels found the endzone at the 4:00 mark of the second half via a Hines 4-yard touchdown run to seal a 9-play 62 yard drive. Schexnayder missed the extra point, and the Colonels trailed 31-9. Nicholls closed out the first half with a 5-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Vincent Montgomery to further cut into the Bearkat lead, making it 31-16 after the PAT by Schexnayder at the 2:13 mark.

The drive was made possible by senior Lardarius Webb's interception, his second of the year. Webb, who led the Colonel defense with 10 tackles, all solo, a fumble recovery and three pass breakups, intercepted a Bomar pass and returned it 37 yards to the Sam Houston State 10-yard line. After Montgomery's score, neither team scored for the remainder of the first half.

The first play from scrimmage of the second half was a 66-yard touchdown reception from Bunch to Hines. After the extra point was made, the Bearkat lead was cut to eight points, 31-23.

However, that was as close as the Colonels would come as Sam Houston State scored back to back touchdowns to go up 44-23 with 12:28 left in the fourth quarter. Nicholls did cut the lead to 14 with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Bunch to senior wide receiver Patrick Gordon, but still could not overcome their early deficit.

After a 32-yard field goal by Sam Houston State's Taylor Wilkins, the Colonels found the endzone with 55 seconds left in the game when senior running back DeMarko Hutchinson ran the ball in from four yards out. After a failed onside kick, Sam Houston State ran out the clock to get the victory.

Nicholls will be back in action next week at Texas State for the "Battle For The Paddle." Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. in San Marcos, Texas.

(Story written by Jason Anderson)

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