Big first quarter helps Colonels defeat Texas State

NSU Sports Information Desk

The Colonels scored early and often in their 52-28 trouncing of Texas State in John L. Guidry Stadium on Senior Day Saturday afternoon.

“I was just so happy for all of the seniors to go out winners in their last home game. They helped make Nicholls what it is today, and that will never be forgotten,” said head coach Jay Thomas. “We executed well, and really won the battle in the trenches early in the game, which ultimately led to our victory.”

The Colonels (6-4, 3-3) opened up the game with 28 first-quarter points to the Bobcats (4-6, 3-3) measly seven. Of the four touchdowns in the first quarter, one was a 96-yard punt return by Ladarius Webb, which was the longest punt return in Nicholls and the Southland Conference’s history.

The other three touchdowns were run plays with two by the legs of junior quarterback Vincent Montgomery and the other by senior Broderick Cole.

Montgomery finished with a career best 131 yards rushing on 18 carries and two touchdowns, while leading the Colonels to their best offensive performance of the season as they piled up 457 yards (427 rushing) of total offense.

Cole, who finished the game with 76 yards on 18 carries for three touchdowns, now ranks fifth on the all-time rushing list with 2,048 yards, and just needs four yards to surpass Colt Colletti for fourth place all-time.

His three touchdowns in the victory also gave him 198 career points, just three points shy of tying Adam Diel for the sixth spot on the all-time scoring list.

However, Cole wasn’t the only senior to get in on the action on Senior Day, as seniors Cal Jones and Joseph Tobias also reached pay dirt in their final home game.

Jones finished with five carries for 22 yards and a touchdown while Tobias had 12 carries for 84 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior wide receiver Michael Okoronkwo had two carries for 15 yards and senior Andre Kelly also chimed in with two carries for 8 yards in his final home game.

Senior Grant Thorne, whose parents were on hand all the way from California, had two carries for two yards in the game.

The Colonel defense did their job as well by holding Texas State to 364 yards of total offense. Leading the way on Senior Day was senior Kareem Moore, who had a game best 12 tackles and one fumble recovery.

Other seniors on the defensive side of the ball taking care of business were Jordan Stone, Dominic Cooper, Jermaine Boggan, Mike Heyl, and Lester Brooks. Stone and Cooper finished the game with three total tackles, while Stone had a sack in the win. Boggan finished with two tackles, while Heyl and Brooks each had one.

Senior Alex Romero was perfect with his foot, making good on his only field goal attempt in the game from 42 yards out, and senior Sean Comeaux was only called on once to punt, but it was a beauty that went for 44 yards.

Other seniors that were honored before the game include center Matt Blanchard, guard Jesse Frazier, guard Benjamin Gombossy, tight end Jared Landrum, and defensive back Collin Moore.

Junior running back Zack Morgan participated in Senior Day as well, and with his graduation in December, Morgan will pursue a master’s degree. Morgan, whose parents were on hand from Florida, rushed for 20 yards on four carries in his final game in Guidry Stadium.

The Colonels led at halftime, 31-7, and despite a strong effort in the second half by the Bobcats, Nicholls matched Texas State touchdown for touchdown as both teams scored three in the final two quarters.

Nicholls will travel to Southeastern Louisiana University to take on the Lions next Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

The game will be televised by Cox Sports Television, and will be the first time since 1985 that the Colonels will close out a season with their archrival.