Final Stats KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Nicholls State University football team was held to one defensive touchdown – a 36-yard interception return by senior cornerback Chika Madu – as Western Michigan University handed the Colonels a 38-7 defeat in front of 19, 888 fans at Waldo Stadium on Saturday night.

Nicholls (1-0) trailed 21-0 in the second quarter before Madu, who moved into ninth place on the Colonels' all-time kick return list with 913 career yards, stripped an intended pass to Western Michigan receiver, Jordan White, before intercepting it and putting Nicholls on the board. Madu finished the game with four tackles and a forced fumble.

Western Michigan (1-1) outgained the Colonels on offense, 399-185, including a 202-86 advantage in the first half to take a 28-7 lead into the break. The Broncos held the Colonels scoreless the rest of the way while adding 10 more points for the 38-7 victory.

Nicholls was led on offense by junior quarterback LaQuintin Caston with 77 total yards offense (46 passing, 33 rushing). Marcus Washington finished with 46 yards on 12 carries while Kenyad Blair had three receptions for 21 yards.

On defense, junior linebacker Jordan Piper put together a career outing with 13 tackles, including 0.5 for loss. Siegan Vergenal and Pa'a Kamouha also had career games with 11 and 10 tackles, respectively, while Bobby Felder and Shawn Elrod finished with seven each. T.J. Lumar added six tackles and an interception. 

In the game, WMU scored on its opening drive to take a 7-0 lead on a two-yard reception. The Colonels responded with three first downs in their drive, but two false starts on 3rd and 2 forced a Nicholls punt. Penalties were an issue for the Colonels all night, finishing with 12 for 101 yards.

On the ensuing punt from Cory Kemps, who finished with eight punts for 353 yards (44.1 avg), the ball bounced off the leg of a Bronco player and was recovered by senior Stefan Bergeron on the WMU 15. However, Nicholls gave the ball up on a fumble, which lead to a 10-play, 53-yard scoring drive to make it 14-0.

Following another three-and-out by Nicholls, Western Michigan extended the lead to 21-0 in the second quarter on their second rushing touchdown of the game. Madu's 36-yard interception return, his first career touchdown, made the score 21-7 with 8:50 remaining until half.

Western Michigan added one more touchdown before the break and tacked on a touchdown in the third as well as a late field goal for the 38-7 victory.

WMU was led by quarterback Alex Carder, who was 12-of-18 with 143 yards and two touchdowns. Tevin Drake led the rushing attack with 86 yards while Brian Fields ran for two scores. White had four receptions for 67 yards.

Nicholls will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 17, when they travel to Louisiana-Lafayette. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.