THIBODAUX, La. – The No. 25 Nicholls State University football team's rivalry matchup against No. 14 Southeastern lived up to its billing, but the Colonels came out on the short end for the second straight time at home against the Lions, falling 58-48 Saturday afternoon at John L. Guidry Stadium.
In a game that saw the most combined points scored (106) in the series history and more than 1,000 yards of offense, a special teams play by Southeastern's Gage Larvadain helped stall the Colonels' second-half comeback. Nicholls (2-3, 1-1 SLC) trimmed a 31-14 halftime deficit to 38-35 late in the third after
K.J. Franklin scored on a 15-yard pass, but Larvadain answered on the ensuing kickoff with a 100-yard return for a score.
The Lions' quarterback Cole Kelley rushed for a touchdown to push the lead to 52-35 early in the fourth and then the squads traded touchdowns before Franklin rushed one in to make it 58-48 with three minutes remaining. Nicholls went for two to make it a one-possession game but came up empty. Southeastern recovered the onside kick and was able to run out the clock.
In the loss, wide receiver
Dai'Jean Dixon put forth another historic outing, totaling 171 yards and two touchdowns on 11 receptions. Dixon became just 10th player in Southland Conference history to reach 200 receptions and also broke another one of Mark Carrier's program records, finishing with his 12th career 100-yard game.
Despite being without all-league running back
Julien Gums who was sidelined with an injury, Nicholls rushed for 209 yards to go along with 298 yards passing by
Lindsey Scott Jr. The Colonel quarterback also led the team in rushing, notching his fourth consecutive 100-yard game after carrying the ball 16 times for 108 yards and a touchdown. Albert made the most of his first career start, rushing for 85 yards and a score on 12 totes.
Nicholls got off to a great start, scoring on the opening drive as Scott escaped the pass rush and went 27 yards for the touchdown. The defense then forced a three-and-out against the Lions who came into the game averaging over 550 yards per outing. But it would be the only punt for the visitors for the rest of the game.
The Lions found the endzone on their next four possessions and took a 17-point lead into the locker room. After a Scott interception in Colonel territory, SLU went up 21-7 on Kelley's first of two rushing TDs. Dixon and Scott then hooked up for a short 4-yard touchdown, which was the 200th reception of Dixon's career.
It only took one snap on offense for SLU to answer. Larvadain struck with his first big play of the day, scoring on a 76-yard touchdown catch. Right before the break, the Colonel defense held SLU to a field goal and trailed 31-14 at the intermission.
The third quarter saw the teams combine for five touchdowns. Nicholls cut into the deficit when
Jordan Jackson not only picked up the first interception of the season for the Colonels but went 44-yard untouched to make the score 31-21. The rivals then traded scores with Austin Mitchell finding paydirt on a 30-yard catch before a 9-yard touchdown run by Albert made it 38-28.
The defense came up with another big play as
Jequaries Martin had a strip-sack on Kelley, resulting in a
Perry Ganci fumble recovery at the Lion 42. Three plays later, Scott zipped a pass down the middle of the field for a 15-yard touchdown to Franklin for his fourth TD catch of the season.
But after Larvadain's kickoff return, Nicholls was unable to bring the deficit to single digits the rest of the way.
Three Colonels finished with nine tackles –
Hayden Shaheen,
Tyreke Boyd, and
Ty'Ree Evans – while
Juan Monjarres added a sack.
Elinus Noel III was credited with a blocked extra point which allowed Nicholls to stay within two scores at 58-42 late in the fourth.
Kelley, the reigning FCS Walter Payton Award winner, totaled seven touchdowns – five passing and two on the ground. He threw for 406 yards on 29-of-38 passing and was the leading rusher with 55 yards on 14 carries. Austin Mitchell was his top target, finishing with 111 yards on nine receptions.
The loss gave SLU a 16-15 edge in the all-time series and the teams will square off again on Nov. 18 in Hammond for the annual River Bell Classic.
UP NEXT
Nicholls will hit the road for another ranked opponent, taking on the No. 20 UIW Cardinals in San Antonio. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m.
