FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Nicholls State University football team fell behind 35 points after the first quarter against Arkansas and the Colonels could never get much going in their first-ever meeting with a Southeastern Conference program as Nicholls was handed a 73-7 loss on Saturday in front of 63,108 fans at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. 
 
Nicholls (0-2) dropped its eighth consecutive game, and the loss was the third largest deficit in program history. The win for Arkansas (1-1) put an end to its 10-game losing streak.
 
The Colonels were overmatched on both sides of the ball against the Razorbacks, as Nicholls finished with 242 on offense and gave up 684 yards. In the first half, the Colonels had only five first downs, with two coming from penalty, and were held to 55 yards. Arkansas rumbled for 326 yards rushing in the first two quarters, finishing with 495 yards on the ground.
 
With the help of the 35-point first quarter, Arkansas headed into the locker room with a 56-0 lead. The Razorbacks scored once in the third before Kalen Henderson threw a strike to Keenan Canty for a 10-yard touchdown for the Colonels' only score of the game. Henderson finished with 105 yards passing on 12 of 30, while Canty had a solid day, catching four balls for 41 yards. Xavier Marcus led the Colonels with five catches for 59 yards.
 
To start the game, the Colonels received the opening kickoff and moved the chains after their first two plays, but the Razorback defense did not give up much else for the rest of the quarter.
 
Arkansas then needed only two plays to gain a 14-0 advantage. After the Colonels punted on their first drive, Keon Hatcher scored on the first play, running untouched for 82 yards. On the Razorbacks' next possession, Alex Collins opened the drive with a 33-yard rush for an early two-score lead. For the day, Arkansas had a total of five scoring drives that were only one play.
 
Later in the quarter, two touchdown passes by Brandon Allen doubled up the lead for Arkansas, and Collins capped off the quarter with a 2-yard touchdown.
 
In the second, the Colonel defense finally forced a punt, but after another three-and-out by the offense, Hatcher broke wide open for a 50-yard touchdown catch. The Razorbacks continued to pour it on, adding a 90-yard scoring run by Jonathan Williams before Collins recorded his third touchdown run of the half to give Arkansas a commanding 56-0 lead. Williams had 143 yards rushing on just four carries while Collins had 131 yards.
 
After the break, the Razorbacks wasted no time in scoring again as Allen hit Jared Cornelius for a 38-yard score to open the half. The Colonels then put together their best drive of the day, marching 75 yards down the field on nine plays. On first-and-goal from the 10, Henderson connected with Canty over the middle to prevent the shutout.
 
In the fourth, Arkansas added a field goal and a touchdown to make the final.
 
B.T. Sanders led the defense with seven tackles, and John Williamson added a 50-yard interception that halted a scoring drive in the third.
 
Nicholls will open its home slate next weekend, taking on Henderson State on Saturday, Sept. 13. Kickoff against the Reddies is scheduled for 6 p.m.