Postgame Interviews
Interim Head Coach Steve Axman | Mike Henry | Cole  Frazier | Joel  Dullary

CONWAY, Ark. – The Nicholls State University football team trailed by 12 points early in the second half in its Southland Conference opener at Central Arkansas, but the Bears scored 28 consecutive points to defeat the Colonels, 52-18, on Saturday at Estes Stadium.
 
With the loss, Nicholls falls to 0-5 on the year and 7-17 in conference openers. The Colonels have lost six straight to UCA (2-3, 1-0) and 11 consecutive overall.
 
Running back Michael Henry rushed for a career-high 142 yards on 21 carries, averaging 6.8 yards per rush. Most of the damage came in the first half as the junior had 118 yards before the intermission. Henry carried the ball only three times in the second half.
 
The Colonels relied heavily on the run game, rushing the ball 45 times for a net of 127. A large portion of the Colonels' rushing yards were negated on a failed wide receiver pass, an oversnapped ball and three sacks.
 
Kalen Henderson completed 5-of-11 passes for 68 yards, picking up most of his yardage on the Colonels' touchdown drive in the first quarter. Beaux Hebert threw for 45 yards on 4-of-8 and connected with Kyron King for a late touchdown.
 
UCA used a balanced attack, racking up 267 yards passing and 220 yards on the ground. The Bears rushed for four touchdowns and scored three on passes.
 
B.T. Sanders led Nicholls defense with 12 tackles, followed by Kameryon Brown with 11 and Ronnie Walker with 10. The Colonel defense got a big play early on by Sanders as he intercepted a pass by Ryan Howard on UCA's first drive. But after a 21-yard punt by the Colonels, the Bears struck first with a 9-play, 60-yard scoring drive. Blake Veasley scored the game's first touchdown, rushing in from seven yards out.
 
Nicholls answered with a touchdown on their next possession, scoring on a 13-yard run by Henderson. The senior quarterback kept the drive alive with a pair of third-down completions, finding Demon Bolt for 28 yards before an 11-yard completion to Keenan Canty moved the ball into the red zone. On the next play, Henderson powered through the left side from 13-yards to make the score 7-6 with 2:16 remaining in the first. But the Colonels' extra-point was no good, keeping the deficit at one.
 
UCA marched down the field early in the second quarter, taking a 14-6 lead after a Willie Matthews touchdown. Matthews led the Bears with two rushing touchdowns, finishing with 56 yards on 18 carries.
 
Later in the quarter, Nicholls looked to have its first sack of the season as Cole Frazier forced a fumble deep in UCA territory that was recovered by the Gus Ferrat, but the Colonels were flagged for illegal use of hands, which negated the turnover. The Bears went on to add a 35-yard field goal by Jace Denker for a 17-6 lead.
 
Before the break, Henderson and Henry botched an exchange on a handoff, giving UCA the ball back on Nicholls' 16 yard line. Two plays later, Howard connected with Dezmin Smith for a 10-yard touchdown with 1:16 remaining. The Colonels moved close enough for a 49-yard field goal attempt by Francisco Condado right before the intermission, but the kick sailed right to keep the score at 24-6.
 
Nicholls cut the lead in half just one minute into the third quarter as Joel Dullary picked off a pass by Howard and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown. The interception was the freshman's first for his career, and the Colonels' first interception returned for a score since 2011. But once again, no PAT was added as the Bears blocked the kick, leaving the score at 24-12.
 
The special teams woes continued for the Colonels on the ensuing kickoff, surrendering a 78-yard return by Jatavioius Wilson. Three plays later, Howard hit Courtney Whitehead for a 10-yard score. Central Arkansas tacked on two more touchdowns in the quarter, extending its lead to 45-12.
 
After UCA added another touchdown in the fourth, the Colonels scored multiple touchdowns for the second time this season as Hebert and King hooked up with just two seconds remaining. UCA blocked the extra-point once again, giving Nicholls one missed field goal and three unsuccessful extra-points on the day.
 
Nicholls wraps up its road swing on Saturday, Oct. 4, at No. 5/4 McNeese State. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.