THIBODAUX, La. - After shutting down Stephen F. Austin for most of the first half, the Nicholls State University football team allowed three touchdown passes in the final four minutes of the second quarter as the Colonels suffered a 28-12 loss Saturday afternoon on Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium.
Leading 6-0, Nicholls (4-5, 2-2 SLC) failed on a fourth-down try with five minutes until the intermission. SFA followed with their first touchdown of the game and then blocked a punt, leading to another TD pass. The Lumberjack then tallied an interception and turned that into Sam Vidlak's third touchdown toss for a 21-6 lead.
Vidlak threw another touchdown pass in the third quarter before Nicholls tried to make it interesting with a late touchdown and onside recovery. But the Colonels had a turnover on downs before SFA recorded its third interception of the day to seal the victory, snapping a four-game skid in the series.
Nicholls outgained SFA, which came into the matchup with the league's top offense, 413-301 in total yards. The Colonels also had 23 first downs compared to 11 for the Lumberjacks and held the ball for 42 minutes but the multiple miscues were too much to overcome.
Pat McQuaide completed 27 of 50 passes for 248 yards with one touchdown which went to
Treylin Whaley in the fourth quarter. McQuaide's three interceptions were a season-high and he was sacked five times.
True freshman
Miequle Brock led the offense with nine receptions for 89 yards and rushed 11 times for 61.
Collin Guggenheim carried the ball 17 times for 80 yards.
Nicholls had a promising start to the game, limiting SFA to just 26 total yards for their first four drives. But while the Colonel offense had success moving the ball early, SFA held Nicholls to a pair of
Gabe Showalter field goals. Then in the second quarter, the Colonels were stuffed on a 4th-and-1 try in SFA territory and the momentum completely shifted.
Vidlak connected with Kylon Harris for a 28-yard score, then after the blocked punt, hit Clayton Wayland for an 8-yard touchdown. The final SFA touchdown of the half was a 41-yard toss to Harris. With just 13 seconds remaining, Nicholls tried to get in field goal range but
Dany'e Brooks was stripped after a 26-yard catch to end the half.
Kendarius Smith picked off Vidlak on the opening drive of the third, but on the next possession, Vidlak found Jordan Nabors for a 50-yard touchdown.
In the fourth,
Alex Villavaso forced two fumbles with the first leading to the 10-yard TD catch by Whaley. Down 28-12, Nicholls went for two but came up empty.
Jake Dalmado recovered the onside kick, however, Nicholls turned it over on downs, Then after another SFA fumble, the Colonels' final comeback attempt was ended on a Charles Demmings interception.
Keontae Williams led the Colonels with six tackles, two breakups and a forced fumble. Nicholls forced five fumbles on the day but only came away with two recoveries. The defense also continued to be stellar against the rush with 39 rushing yards allowed on 23 carries.
UP NEXT
Nicholls will head to Texas for its next two games, starting with HCU on Nov. 9. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
