Final Stats

THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University football team played nearly perfect in the first half to build a 27-0 lead against Northwestern State and the Colonels would go on to win their Southland Conference opener 33-21 on Saturday at John L. Guidry Stadium.

With the win, Nicholls improves to 4-2 overall and 1-0 in Southland play. The victory snaps a 14-game conference losing streak which spanned two seasons. It was also the first conference opening win for the Colonels since 2007 when Nicholls defeated Northwestern State 58-0.

After setting the Colonels' single-game record with 281 rushing yards in the win against Arkansas Tech, sophomore quarterback Tuskani Figaro showed his versatility by passing for a career-high 245 yards and two touchdowns on 14 of 21 attempts. Running back Marcus Washington also had a career day as the senior rushed for three touchdowns, finishing with 77 yards on 23 carries.

Washington's first touchdown gave Nicholls a 6-0 lead on the opening drive. After Nicholls used over seven minutes off the clock, Washington, who moved into eighth-place on Colonel all-time rushing list (1,827), capped the 13-play drive with a 2-yard TD run.

Early in the second, Figaro hooked up with Demon Bolt for 30-yard touchdown and Andrew Dolan's PAT was good to make the count 13-0. Bolt posted career highs in both yards (78) and receptions (5) to lead the Colonel receivers.

After the defense forced a three-and-out, the offense put together an eight-minute drive which ended on Washington's second TD of the game. At the Demon 2, Nicholls went for it on fourth-and-1 and Figaro was stopped short of the goal line, but was able to pick up enough for the first down. On the next play, Washington punched it in as Nicholls upped its lead to 20-0.

The Colonel defense continued to dominate in the first half, tacking on another three-and-out to give Nicholls the ball back at midfield with just under three minutes to go. On the very next play, Figaro threw a bomb to Erik Buchanan for a 55-yard score as Nicholls took a 27-0 advantage. Right before the break, Figaro just missed on another long touchdown pass as the ball sailed over a wide-open Darryl Waston.

Figaro completed 10 passes in the half for 174 yards. As a team, Nicholls held the ball for over 20 minutes in the first two quarters, helped by converting 7 of 10 third downs. Nicholls also had a significant advantage in offensive yards at the half, outgaining NSU 241 to 79.

The Demons wasted little time erasing the shutout in the second half as Daniel Taylor, who had 102 yards on eight carries, ran for 54 yards to set up a Garrett Atzenweiler touchdown. Nicholls answered by driving into NSU's red zone, but Dolan missed wide right on a 35-yard field goal.

Nicholls took a 33-7 lead late in the third after piecing together a 9-play, 70-yard drive. Washington started off the drive with a 19-yard run and a 24-yard reception by Josh Dudley put Nicholls inside the Demon 5. On the next play, Washington scored from four yards out for his third rushing TD of the game.

The Demons were able to score two touchdowns in the fourth to make the final 33-21.

Nicholls finished with 404 yards on offense while holding NSU to 269. Nicholls had the ball for nearly 42 minutes and converted 13 of 20 first downs.

The Colonel defense arguably had their best showing of the season, holding the Demons to 3 of 14 on third down and forced six three-and-outs. Nicholls also recovered two fumbles, both by defensive lineman Chris Lorden. Davin Bovie led Nicholls with nine tackles and Byron Cobb finished with eight.

Nicholls will play its second-straight televised game as the Colonels hit the road to face Stephen F. Austin on Saturday, Oct. 19. The game will be aired on the Southland Conference Television Network with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m.