Nov. 14, 2009

Final Stats

THIBODAUX, La. - For the second consecutive week, Nicholls offense was without a turnover, while the defense forced two in the Colonels 28-21 victory over the Northwestern State Demons on Senior Day Saturday afternoon in John L. Guidry Stadium.

The win ended Nicholls (2-8, 1-5 SLC) seven game slide, and left Northwestern State (0-10, 0-6 SLC) still in search of its first win of the 2009 campaign.

"I'm extremely happy for our guys. We have battled though some tough things this season, and for our team to rally around our senior class to get this win was something special," said Head Coach Jay Thomas. "We knew they were going to play us tough to the wire, and we got the plays late to get the victory."

Northwestern State had the ball on the Colonels 15-yard line with a little over a minute left in the contest, threatening to send the game into overtime. On a last chance effort on fourth down, Demons true freshman quarterback Paul Harris had his pass deflected in the end zone, and senior defensive back Dominique Daniels picked it off to secure the victory.

"Our seniors have been through so much this season, and to get this win for them was awesome. Our defense stepped up and made the big play at the end, and I'm so proud of them," said Thomas.

There were 21 seniors playing their final game in John L. Guidry Stadium, and all were recognized before the game with their families. The 21 seniors include: Tyson Andrus, Dominique Daniels, Jarrod Fanguy, Aric Flowers, Josh Green, Trey Hopson, Kyle Hughes, Drew Knight, Marlin Meeks, Quenton Mims, Jordan Nevels, Henry Perez, Jordan Ogletree, Zac Reddix, Antonio Robinson, Ross Schexnayder, Jamal Simmons, Garrick Spain, Kyle Tizzard, A.J. Williams, and Yashua Willis.

The senior class produced on Senior Day with Williams rushing for 94 yards and a score on nine carries, while Robinson showcased his talents, going over the century mark with 115 yards on two receptions and a touchdown. Williams had a run of 65 yards in the win, while Robinson recorded a career best 82-yard reception.

The defensive charge was led by Spain with nine total tackles (seven solo), and a forced fumble and fumble recovery in the victory. Spain's forced fumble and recovery came in the middle of the fourth quarter with the Colonels leading 21-14, and a play after, Williams took a pitch from redshirt freshman quarterback Laquintin Caston 65 yards for the touchdown to give Nicholls the 28-14 lead. Caston finished with a career high 197 yards passing and three touchdowns, while completing 5-of-8 passes.

"That was a big time momentum swing for us," added Thomas. "Garrick Spain's strip immediately followed by A.J. Williams' run proved to be the difference in the game. Our seniors did their part today, and the under classmen pitched in as well."

One of those under classmen rising to the challenge was true freshman Mike Barba who had two touchdown receptions to finish with three catches for 84 yards. Barba broke a 7-7 tie with 17 second remaining in the first half with his grab in the corner of the end zone to give Nicholls the 14-7 advantage at the midway point. His second score, a 64-yard reception, put Nicholls ahead 21-7 early on in the third quarter.

Other seniors coming up big for the Colonels included Nevels with eight total tackles (four) and two pass breakups, while Fanguy had a career day with seven stops (six solo). Reddix also added five solo tackles to lead the Colonels defense in the win.

The Demons' Harris finished with 261 yards through the air and a score, completing 18-of-30 passes, and added another 59 yards on the ground that included a touchdown. Harris did also have two costly interceptions in the game.

Nicholls will travel to play Southeastern La. on Thursday to close out the season, while Northwestern State will host nationally ranked Stephen F. Austin next Saturday.

###