Oct. 24, 2009

Final Stats

CONWAY, Ark. - Nicholls could not stop the explosive Central Arkansas offense on Saturday in Estes Stadium, losing 42-13 in front of 10,653 in attendance for the Bears' homecoming game.

The No.14 Bears (5-2, 2-1 SLC) showed no ill effects of their loss last week to the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks, putting forth 35 first half points and 400-plus yards in the first two quarters. Of the Bears 405 first half yards, 164 of it was on the ground with Brent Grimes leading the way with 95 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. Grimes, a Baton Rouge, La. native, finished with 155 rushing yards in the game.

The Colonels (1-6, 0-3 SLC) only had 109 yards of total offense in the first half, and finished the game with 253.

"I'm highly disappointed in the way our defense played the first two quarters, and in my 11 years coaching here, that was the worst I have ever seen us play through two quarters on defense," said Head Coach Jay Thomas. "We are going back to the practice fields this week, and we are going to keep on working to get better."

Nicholls only bright spot of the first half was a 41-yard touchdown pass from redshirt freshman quarterback Laquintin Caston to senior wide receiver Antonio Robinson at the 11:00 mark of the second quarter. The scoring drive was made possible due to a successful fake punt that senior linebacker Kyle Hughes ran 15 yards for the first down.

Senior kicker Ross Schexnayder's point-after-attempt was blocked to make the score 14-6, and that was as close as the Colonels would come in the game.

In the second half, the Bears picked up right where they left off before intermissiowith a quick scoring drive to open the half that was all done by the legs of Grimes. Grimes rushed twice to get UCA in the endzone with his second carry on the drive going to the house for 42-yards to make the score 42-6 with the extra point.

The only other score in the game for Nicholls was on a reverse that Robinson sprung loose on, and raced 42-yards for the touchdown in the fourth quarter. Robinson finished the game with two touchdowns - one rushing and one receiving - and 83 yards of total offense.

Senior fullback Marlin Meeks led all Colonel rushers with 73 yards on 17 carries, and on the defensive side, the Colonels were led by senior linebacker Yashua Willis with nine total takedowns.

The Bears turned in 287 yards rushing in the win, while Bear quarterback Robbie Park checked out in the third quarter with 245 yards passing and two touchdowns. Park was also 12-of-20 with no turnovers in the game.

Nicholls will look to bounce back next week when they play host to No.12 McNeese State on Saturday October 31 in John L. Guidry Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

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