Box Score/Play-By-Play

THIBODAUX – The Nicholls State University football team sent its 15 seniors off in style by defeating in-state and conference rival Southeastern La. 27-25 in John L. Guidry Stadium on Thursday night.

The Colonels (4-7, 3-4 Southland) eclipsed last season's win total under first-year head coach Charlie Stubbs, while the Lions (2-9, 1-7 Southland) closed out their season with six consecutive losses.

“We played an exceptionally talented football team tonight that we knew coming in had a lot of very talented skill players. I was very proud of the way that our team kept their composure through the game, and kept focused on what we had set out to do, which was to win the game,” said Stubbs.

“I have to give our hats off to our seniors. In the locker room after the game, there was a lot of emotion. I can tell you right now that there is not a one of those 15 seniors that wouldn't give it all to have another year. As a program, that is a sign that we are heading in the right direction.”

Although it was senior night, it was the youth of the squad that ensured the victory. Sophomore quarterback LaQuintin Caston rushed for 139 yards on 24 carries and three touchdowns, while also completing 11-of-19 passes for 113 yards. His third and final touchdown – a 43-yard quarterback delayed keeper up the middle – put Nicholls up 27-19 after true freshman kicker Andrew Dolan was successful on the PAT try with 4:23 left in the game.

However, the Lions would not go away as quarterback Tyler Beatty scored from 1-yard out with 2:19 left in regulation to bring the game within two, 27-25. On the ensuing two-point conversion try to tie the game, Beatty's pass was batted down by sophomore linebacker Jordan Piper. Piper finished with a game-high nine tackles (five solo).

“I knew that when they [Southeastern La.] got down to the 1-yard line that the odds of them scoring were high. I encouraged my guys to stay positive if they score, the play after is the one that really matters. And the defense comes up with a huge play,” said Stubbs about the two-point conversion.

Nicholls honored its senior class before kickoff, recognizing the culmination of 15 student-athletes' playing careers with Nicholls. The 15 graduating seniors are: Brandon Breaux, Corey Buchanan, Patrick Dolan, Nolan Dumas, Jeremy Garrett, Tarbbaris Hicks, Ed James, Brandon Johnson, Spenser Langthorn, Charles McDade, Earvin Moore, Kenny Owens, Anthony Sparks, Leroy Trahan and Brandon Ward.

Dolan finished his collegiate career with 164 punts for 7,702 yards, giving him a school-record 43.12 yards/punt for his career. He also finishes two-tenths shy of the Southland Conference's all-time mark.

Nicholls started off the scoring in the first quarter on a Caston 7-yard scoring run on the Colonels' opening drive. The score would remain 7-0 until late in the second quarter when Caston squeaked in from 1-yard out to increase the Colonel lead 14-0 with 34 seconds left in the first half to take a 14-0 lead into halftime.

Southeastern La. cracked the scoreboard early in the third quarter to cut into the lead, 14-7. Nicholls responded with a 39-yard field goal by Dolan, but the Lions followed with a field goal and touchdown to bring the game to a 17-16 advantage Nicholls with a chance to tie the game, pending a successful PAT by the Lions.

However, the Lions failed on the center-to-holder exchange, and Nicholls clinged to a 17-16 lead with 2:13 left in the third quarter.

Dolan remained on target, drilling a 32-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter to give Nicholls the 20-16 advantage. The Lions added a field goal to come within one – 20-19 – with 7:09 left in the game before Caston's 43-yard touchdown score.

With the win, Nicholls keeps the River Bell for the second consecutive season, while also marking the first time since 2005 that the Colonels had laid claim to the “Paddle” from Texas State, the “Real NSU” from Northwestern State, and the River Bell in the same season since 2005. That was the only other year that the task had been accomplished.

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