Nicholls falls 41-6 to powerhouse TCU

The Nicholls State University football team put up a valiant effort in its first road test of the season at TCU before falling to the FBS national-runner up, 41-6, Saturday night at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
The Colonel defense picked up two turnovers in the game and shut out TCU (1-1) in the third quarter to keep the deficit at 24-6. But the Horned Frogs scored 17 unanswered in the fourth, including a touchdown pass in the final minute.
Nicholls (0-2) totaled 263 yards of offense, highlighted by receiver Neno Lemay’s first career 100-yard came as he hit the century mark on the dot on eight receptions. His largest gain of the night went for 33 yards on his final grab. Quarterback Pat McQuaide finished 17 of 36 for 177 yards and one interception.
After cementing his name in the record books last week, kicker Gavin Lasseigne was good on both field goal attempts, connecting on a 40- and 47-yarders for the Colonels’ only points on the night. ­ His first came right before the half to make it 21-3 and after TCU answered with a field goal of its own, he drilled ai 47-yard attempt in the third quarter.
The field goal was the only points in the period as Nicholls outgained TCU in total yards, 64-40, in the third as they kept the Horned Frogs off the board. Then to start the fourth, Markeyvrick Eddie got into the backfield for a 3-yard loss on 4th-and-short. But the Colonels were unable to keep the momentum as the offense went three-and-out.
TCU then scored twice – on a Chandler Morris touchdown pass and Griffin Kell’s second field goal, to all but put the game away. After a Colonel drive stalled at midfield with 1:31 remaining, the Horned Frogs found the end zone one last time to make the final.
Defensively, Devonte’ Mathews had a team-high nine tackles including two for loss, and Hayden Shaheen added seven stops.
The two turnovers were courtesy of a fumble recovery by Kershawn Fisher and a Jordan Jackson interception.
It marked Fisher’s second turnover in as many games after he had a pick in the season opener.
Morris led TCU’s offense, throwing for 263 yards and two touchdowns on 26 of 30 and tacked on a 32-yard TD run for the Horned Frogs’ second TD. TCU’s first score of the night came on blocked punt on the Colonels’ opening possession.
Nicholls was held to less than 100 yards rushing for the second straight game, totaling 86 yards on 39 carries. Collin Guggenheim rushed for 38 yards while Jaylon Spears had 35.