HUNTSVILLE, Texas - For the second time in as many FBS matchups, the Nicholls State University football team struggled on the road as the Colonels lost against Sam Houston, 59-0, on Saturday night inside Bowers Stadium.
With the loss, Nicholls (2-2) has dropped its last 15 games against FBS squads including an earlier setback at Kansas State. The Colonels' road skid also stretched to 12 games.
Sam Houston (1-2) controlled the game from the get-go, leading 10-0 after the first quarter before finding the end zone three times before halftime. The Bearkats added four more touchdowns in the second half and handed the Colonels' their first shutout since the 2023 playoff game at Southern Illinois.
Nicholls totaled 163 yards of offense while Sam Houston racked up 619. The Colonels were unable to move the chains on a consistent basis, going 1 of 15 on third downs.
Tamaj Hoffman led the offense with 56 yards rushing on nine carries while
Shane Lee had 37 yards on 11 rushes.
Ean Rodrigue finished 7 of 21 for 39 yards and had two interceptions. For the defense,
Kristian Dillard had a team-high seven tackles and
Kevin Martin Jr. and
Zavian Dilworth tallied six each.
Landyn Locke had a big game for the Bearkats, throwing for 322 yards and four touchdowns on 19 of 28 passing. He hooked up with Tim Burns Jr. for a 65-yard score on their opening drive and after Sam Houston recorded its first pick, the Colonel defense was able to limit the offense to a field goal.
But in the second quarter, Locke threw two more touchdown passes and Sam Houston added another TD following the Colonels' second interception.
The Kats continued to roll in the second half as Locke threw his final touchdown pass to start the third. Sam Houston then pushed its lead to 52-0 after finding the end zone two more times in the quarter. A fourth-quarter touchdown with five minutes left made the final.
Pharrell Harewood had a busy night, punting a career-high 11 times for 423 yards, averaging 38.5 yards. He had four inside the 20 and three 50-plus yarders.
Up Next
Nicholls will host nationally-ranked Lamar for a conference matchup on Saturday, Sept. 26. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
