THIBODAUX, La. - The Nicholls State University football team took the lead late in the first half over McNeese and the defense came up with enough stops the rest of the way as the Colonels stayed undefeated at home with a 24-19 Homecoming victory Saturday afternoon on Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium.

With the win, Nicholls climbed to 4-4 overall and 2-1 in the Southland. The victory was also the fourth straight against McNeese (4-5, 1-3 SLC), matching the program's longest winning streak in the all-time series.

Freshman running back Miequle Brock led the offense with 101 yards rushing on just nine carries, while Terry Matthews had a career day with eight receptions for 94 yards. Although Collin Guggenheim had a quiet day rushing with 41 yards on 14 carries, he caught the go-ahead touchdown pass before the break, scoring on a 39-yard screen pass. 

Coming off being named SLC Defensive Player of the Week, linebacker Jake Dalmado had another monster game with 10 tackles and four sacks. After Nicholls pinned McNeese at the 1 on a punt in the first quarter, Dalmado sacked  Kamden Sixxkiller in the end zone for an early 2-0 lead. 

McNeese went up 3-2 on a field goal by Tyler Larco in the first quarter and both offenses were held in check for most of the second until each team got an explosive run. With over five minutes remaining in the half, Joshon Barbie sliced through the Colonel defense for a 69-yard touchdown run. Barbie finished with 121 yards rushing on 13 carries.

But Nicholls wasted no time in answering as Brock carried the ball three straight times, with his last going for a 66-yard touchdown. Down 10-8, Nicholls went for two but failed on the conversion. 

Later in the half, the Colonels faced a 3rd-and-2 and dialed up the perfect play call which resulted in Guggenheim's catch-and-run for a score. But another two-point try was missed as Nicholls led 14-10.

On McNeese's final drive of the half, a plethora of penalties aided the Cowboys deep into Colonel territory. But with 8 seconds to go, McNeese completed an 18-yard pass before Keontae Williams made a stop at the 2 as the time expired. 

In the second half, Gabe Showalter gave Nicholls a 17-10 edge with a season-long 41-yard field goal. Larco then chipped one in for McNeese early in the fourth to trim the deficit back to four.

Nicholls answered with a lengthy 13-play, 65-yard touchdown drive that chewed up nearly seven minutes. Matthews had two receptions to move the chains before Pat McQuaide scored on a quarterback sneak for a 24-13 advantage. McQuaide completed 18 of 34 for 178 yards and had one interception.

The Colonels looked to have the game on ice but A.J. Thomas was able to push a blocker just far enough back to deflect Kylan Dupre's punt, giving McNeese the ball at the Colonel 28. McNeese's Bryce Strong scored from two yards out but the two-point try was no good.

The Cowboys forced another punt but only 20 seconds remained. On the second play, Eli Ennis sealed the win with his second interception of the season. Ennis finished the day with nine tackles and three hurries. 

McNeese outgained Nicholls on offense, 401-371, but the Colonels limited the Cowboys to just 4 of 14 on third down. Sixxkiller threw for 233 yards for the visitors. 

UP NEXT
Nicholls will wrap up its three-game home stand against Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.