THIBODAUX, La. - After two strong showings in the opening weeks, the No. 22/25 Nicholls State University football team struggled on both sides of the ball against --/RV West Georgia as the Colonels fell 34-10 Saturday night on Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium.

Nicholls (1-2) caused three turnovers in the opening half but could only produce three points, resulting in a 14-3 deficit at the break. West Georgia extended its advantage to 34-3 early in the fourth before Jackson Dufrene hauled in a 44-yard touchdown catch to make the final.

The Colonels allowed 342 yards rushing as West Georgia's Latrelle Murrell (170 yards) and quarterback Davin Wydner (103) each eclipsed the 100-yard mark. The rushing total was the most allowed by the Nicholls defense since the 2021 opener at Memphis. 

Nicholls limited Wydner to 7 of 21 passing with two interceptions and just 63 yards, but two of his completions went for touchdowns. The first pick was courtesy of Aidan McCowan while Ethan Lee notched his second interception in as many home games. 

The Wolves' defense held Nicholls to 180 total yards with 66 yards rushing. Deuce Hogan went 11 of 25 for 114 yards and a touchdown but also had an interception. Miequle Brock Jr. finished with 61 yards on 11 carries.

McCowan ended UWG's opening drive with his first pick as a Colonel and returned it 27 yards to the Wolves' 33. But a fourth-down incompletion gave the ball back to West Georgia and they answered with an 18-yard touchdown catch by Owen Dupree.

The Colonels responded with a 43-yard field goal by Gabriel Showalter early in the second quarter. Nicholls then got two of its turnovers before the break with Lee's pick and a Laurence Sullivan Jr. forced fumble. However, West Georgia pieced together a scoring drive with 50 seconds remaining and took a 14-3 advantage into the half after Wydner's second TD pass.

In the third quarter, UWG added a field goal and then after Hogan's interception, TJ Lester scored his first of two touchdowns. His second came early in the fourth and the Wolves tacked on one more field goal for their final points.

On the next possession, Dufrene caught a jump ball and notched his second career TD grab.

The Wolves outgain Nicholls, 405-180 in total yards and third-down conversions played a big part. The visitors were 12 of 18 on third downs while Nicholls finished 2 of 13.

Hayden Shaheen recorded double digits tackles for the second straight game, tallying a team-high 12, and Alex Villavaso had 10 with 2.0 tackles for loss.

Freshman Pharrell Harewood punted eight times and had a season-long 65-yard punt.

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The Colonels will have a bye before heading to Texas State on Sept. 20.