NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Behind career-high rushing efforts from Kyran Irvin and Tahj Smith, the Nicholls State University football team racked up a season-high 418 yards on the ground while the defense turned in another outstanding effort in a 34-13 victory against Stephen F. Austin Saturday at Homer Bryce Stadium.
The win was the Colonels' sixth straight, improving their record to 8-2 overall and 7-1 in the Southland. It also was only the fourth win in Nacogdoches in the series history.
Irvin did all of his damage in the first half, finishing with 160 yards on just 11 carries. He left the game with an injury to make way for Smith, who had one career carry heading into the contest. Smith sliced through the SFA defense for a Colonel season-high 177 yards and a score on 23 carries.
The defense limited SFA (4-6, 4-4 SLC) to 261 yards of total offense and 67 yards rushing on 26 carries.
Allen Pittman led the way with 11 tackles while
Kenny Dotson had eight stops and 3.5 sacks.
Irvin opened the scoring with a 38-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. The rest of the half was four field goals, two by each team. The Colonels' Lorran Fonseca booted two to break the program's single-season record with 17 on the year.
Chase Fourcade started the second-half scoring with a jump-pass to Dai'Jean Dixon, who sprinted 47 yards for a 20-6 lead. SFA answered immediately with a touchdown, but the Colonel defense shut them out for the rest of the night.
In the fourth,
Damion Jeanpiere Jr. added a 3-yard touchdown catch and Smith scored his first career touchdown on a 20-yard run.
UP NEXT
Nicholls closes out the regular season with the annual River Bell Classic against Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday, Nov. 16. Kickoff at Strawberry Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m.
