Final Stats THIBODAUX  - The Nicholls State University football team received a record setting performance from senior  Chika Madu, who returned two kick returns for touchdowns, but Stephen F. Austin racked up seven touchdown passes and nearly 400 yards in the air as the Lumberjacks handed the Colonels a 57-21 loss on Saturday at John L. Guidry Stadium.

Madu, who needed only 22 kick return yards to pass Darryl Pounds' mark of 1,555 to become the Nicholls all-time leader, broke the record on his first attempt by taking a 91-yard return back for a touchdown. In the third, Madu added a 94-yard score on his way to setting the Southland Conference and Nicholls record in kickoff return yards with 304 for the game. Madu's two TDs were also single-game records for Nicholls and the SLC.

For the game, Madu's first touchdown gave Nicholls (1-7, 0-4 SLC) an early 7-6 lead, but Stephen F. Austin (2-5, 1-2 SLC) reeled off the game's next 45 points to take a commanding 51-7 lead in the third quarter,  fueled by quarterback Brady Attaways' seven TD passes.  Nicholls finally got on the board again after Madu's second TD, and Marcus Washington added a late 2-yard touchdown reception from LaQuintin Caston. SFA tacked on a pair of field goals to make the final 57-21.

The Colonels were held to 168 yards on offense, led by Caston's 86 yards passing on 9-of-16. Caston also chipped in with 30 yards on 18 carries. Donovan Tate had 41 yards on two receptions while freshman Demon Bolt added 26 yards receiving on three receptions.

The Lumberjacks compiled 480 yards of offense, including 385 in the air. Attaway threw for 364 yards on 30-of-49, passing for seven touchdowns. Cordell Roberson caught three scores, finishing with 115 yards on eight receptions.

The game started out as defensive battle, as both teams forced punts and stood tall on fourth-down attempts in the first quarter. SFA struck first on a 10-yard reception by Ryan Gambel, but Rashar Knight blocked the PAT. On the ensuing kickoff, Madu raced 91 yards to give Nicholls a 7-6 lead with 2:36 remaining in the first.

The Lumberjacks quickly responded with a 46-yard strike to Roberson, and then outscored Nicholls 17-0 in the second to go into the break up 30-7.

The aerial assault continued in the third quarter as Attaway tossed three more touchdown passes before Madu's second TD return made it 51-14. Nicholls added a late TD sandwiched between field goals by SFA's Jordan Wiggs to make the final 57-21.

Linebacker Jordan Piper led the defense with nine tackles (four solo), while TJ Lumar and Jordan Hanberry added seven each. Bobby Felder and Kerry Guidry each had an interception.

Nicholls will have next weekend off, and returns to action on Nov. 5 at McNeese State. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.