THIBODAUX, La. - The No. 19 Nicholls State University football team defeated No. 24 North Dakota on Saturday, 24-6, to advance to the second round of the FCS playoffs for the second-straight year. The Colonels improved to 2-2 in the postseason under head coach
Tim Rebowe, who is in his fifth season with the program.
TEAM NOTES
- Nine wins match the team's second-highest total. 1986 won 10 games and 2018 won 9.
- Nicholls improved to 3-5 all-time in the playoffs and 2-1 at home.
- Winning streak improved to five games, matching last year's streak heading into the second-round contest at No. 2 Eastern Washington.
- The Colonels held North Dakota to a pair of field goals. It marked the first time this season the opposition did not score a touchdown, and first since the 2018 regular-season finale against Southeastern Louisiana (W, 44-0).
- 44 yards rushing allowed was the second-lowest of the season. It was the fourth game holding the opposition to less than 100 yards. 41 vs. Northwestern State was the fewest allowed.
- Rushed for over 300 yards (319) for the second time this season, trailing only 349 in win over Northwestern State.
- After the win over UND, Nicholls is 3-0 record vs. the Top 25 this season - (34-14 vs. No. 10 UCA; 28-27 vs. No. 21 Southeastern).
- The win was the 31st victory of the 2019 Senior Class. They became the winningest in team history with the victory over McNeese, surpassing the 28 wins by 1988 Class.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
- Sophomore
Julien Gums set the single-season rushing record with 1,155 yards.
Tuskani Figaro set the previous mark with 1,103 in 2013.
- Gums became the first Colonel under head coach
Tim Rebowe to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. He is just the fourth player in school history to rush for 1,000. (Nakia Lumar, 1996; Figaro, 2013; Mike Henry, 2014).
- Gums was six yards shy of matching his career/season-high of 178 yards rushing. He finished with 172 on 16 carries against UND.
- Gums matched the program record with his fifth 100-yard game. He joined teammate
Dontrell Taylor (2018), Figaro (2013), and Lumar (1996).
- Quarterback
Chase Fourcade extended his program records in passing touchdowns (69) and rushing touchdowns (35) with one each.
- At 14 of 16 passing, Fourcade was one completion shy of tying the single-game record of completion percentage (93.8 percent), set by Beaux Hebert in 2013 vs. Sam Houston.
- Fourcade tied the program's record in points scored with 210.
- With 46 yards rushing, Fourcade moved to 10th all-time in rushing yards with 1,869.
- Junior wide receiver
Dai'Jean Dixon had his fourth consecutive 100-yard game, finishing with 122 on eight receptions.
- Dixon is averaging 122.2 yards receiving in eight games played. He needs just 22 yards to become only the third Colonel to have 1,000 yards in a season. Mark Carrier (1,513) and Brian Stropoloj (1,113) both reached the plateau in 1986.
- Dixon climbed up all the way to third all-time in receiving yards with 2,220 for his career.
- Senior
Dontrell Taylor had season highs in rushing yards (95) and attempts (17).
- Taylor moved up to fifth all-time in rushing (2,108) and needs just 23 yards to move into third.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
- Senior defensive lineman
Sully Laiche recorded his 11th sack and fourth forced fumble. He has 36.5 sacks for his career, which places him in the top 10 on the FCS all-time list.
- Laiche, a Buck Buchanan finalist, also added two tackles for loss, giving him 21.5 for the season.
- Laiche ranks in the Top 10 of the FCS in tackles for loss (2nd), forced fumbles (5th) and sacks (8th).
- Junior cornerback
Darren Evans had career-highs in tackles (7) and pass breakups (5).
- Junior safety
Kevin Moore III became the first Colonel with two interceptions on the year. His interception was initiated by a tipped pass off the hand of linebacker
Allen Pittman, then the ball bounced off the helmet of the UND receiver.
- Freshman cornerback
Jarius Monroe had a career-high seven tackles.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
- True freshman
Gavin Lasseigne was 3-for-3 in extra points and had a season-long 27-yard field goal.
- Kicker
Alec Bland had three touchbacks on five kickoffs.
UP NEXT
For back-to-back years, Nicholls will face a top-two seed in the second round, traveling north to take on No. 1 seed North Dakota State. The Bison, who have won back-to-back national titles, are undefeated on the year and have won 33 consecutive games. Kickoff on Saturday, Dec. 7 is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and the game will air on ESPN3.
TICKETS
