Nov. 7, 2009

Final Stats

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Nicholls played turnover-free on offense, piled up 434 total yards and forced four turnovers on defense, however it was not enough as the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks got the come from behind 31-27 victory on Saturday evening in Homer Bryce Stadium.

Stephen F. Austin scored 10 points in the second half with the dagger coming with 2:45 left in the fourth quarter as Lumberjack quarterback Jeremy Moses connected with Duane Brooks from six yards out to take the lead, 31-27. The Lumberjack defense also limited the Colonels to just 122 yards in the second half.

Nicholls failed to score any points in the second half, but the Colonel defense forced three second half turnovers.

"We played extremely well tonight, and I have to give my team a lot of credit. We came into the game with only seven offensive lineman due to injuries, and everyone stepped up around them. We just couldn't hold on for the win," said Head Coach Jay Thomas.

The Colonels (1-8, 0-5) were led by senior fullback Marlin Meeks in the game with 144 yards rushing on 16 carries and one touchdown. Also turning in an impressive night were senior running back A.J. Williams with 84 yards on six carries and a score, and senior wide receiver Antonio Robinson with 31 yards rushing, 14 yards receiving, and a receiving touchdown.

The Lumberjacks (7-2, 4-1) vaunted spread attack was spearheaded by Moses who was 36-of-47 with 366 yards and four touchdowns in the game.

Leading all tacklers in the game was the Lumberjacks Jabar Williams with 15, while senior safety Jordan Nevels led the Colonels with 11 total tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception.

"Our defense really stepped it up over the final three quarters. I can't express enough how proud I am of these guys. SFA is a really good team, and for us to play the way we did being decimated by injuries was something special," said Thomas.

The Colonels started off the game with an impressive first quarter, turning in 21-points as both teams traded leads throughout the opening period. Of Meeks' 144 yards rushing, 117 of them came in the first quarter on his first seven carries of the game. Williams also had 66 of his 84 yards rushing in the first quarter with only three carries, while reaching pay dirt with Meeks and Caston.

After the first quarter, Nicholls led 21-14, and despite an early second quarter score, the Colonels defense pitched a shutout the rest of the way, giving the offense a chance to put points on the scoreboard heading into halftime.

The offense responded and chipped away at the game clock by running a 12-play 72-yard drive that used 4:33, and was signified by 9-yard touchdown pass from Caston to Robinson. Senior kicker Kyle Tizzard missed the extra point attempt, giving the Colonels a 27-21 advantage with 19 seconds left in the half.

SFA attempt to march down the field and put points on the board in the final seconds of the half, but Willis had other plans and intercepted Moses on the Lumberjacks first play from scrimmage to ensure the Colonels halftime lead. It was only the second time this season that Nicholls had a lead going into the locker room at halftime, while also surpassing this season's point total in a game.

Nicholls will return home next week for its last game of the 2009 campaign when the Colonels host the Northwestern State Demons at 1 p.m. in John L. Guidry Stadium.

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