Nicholls scores homecoming win over HCU

For the second straight weekend, the Nicholls State University football team had stellar showings in all three phases as the Colonels improved to 2-0 in the Southland Conference with a dominating 38-7 victory over HCU on Saturday afternoon on Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium.

The Colonels (2-3, 2-0 SLC) took the lead at 14-7 before halftime on Collin Guggenheim’s first of four touchdown runs. The other three came in the third quarter as part of 31 unanswered points to lift Nicholls to a ninth consecutive victory in the series against HCU (2-4, 1-2 SLC).

While Guggenheim tied the program’s single-season record of four rushing touchdowns, last accomplished by Julien Gums against Southeastern in the Spring ‘21 season, redshirt sophomore Jaylon Spears led the offense with 113 yards rushing on just eight carries. Senior David Robinson Jr. also tallied his first career 100-yard game in receiving yards, highlighted by a one-handed touchdown grab for the contest’s opening points.

The defense held HCU to 220 total yards and caused three more turnovers. Reigning Southland Defensive Player of the Week Tyler Morton duplicated his two-turnover effort from a week ago, but this time had two interceptions. His first was on the game’s opening possession, leading to Robinson’s touchdown catch. Following the turnover, Pat McQuaide lofted a pass in the end zone towards Robinson who despite drawing an interference flag, was able to corral the ball with one hand while falling to the ground for the early 7-0 advantage.

HCU answered with its lone scoring drive as Colby Suits hit Darryle Evans in the flat for a 2-yard touchdown pass. But the Colonel defense kept the visitors off the scoreboard for the final three quarters.

The teams traded punts for most of the half before Nicholls pieced together a two-minute drive heading into the break. Robinson caught three consecutive passes for first downs and Yarun McMath got the offense into the red zone with a 14-yard catch. Two plays later, Guggenheim doubled the advantage with a 4-yard TD run.

Morton then gave Nicholls the ball back with his second interception, but with only one second remaining, Gavin Lasseigne misfired on a 31-yard field goal to keep the score at 14-7.

Following the intermission, the Colonels quickly moved into the red zone after Robinson caught a short pass, made a defender miss, and sprinted down the field for a 63-yard reception. Guggenheim polished off the drive with his second TD run of the day. Robinson racked up 127 yards on seven receptions for the game.

The special teams chipped in later in the quarter after a Kylan Dupre punt hit a Husky inside the 10 and Jacob Parker recovered at the 7. Guggenheim then pushed the Colonel lead to 28-7 on a 2-yard TD run.

HCU drove into Colonel territory on its next drive, but Jordan Jackson intercepted a pass on fourth down at the 24 and returned it 25 yards. Nicholls turned the pick into three points on a 28-yard field goal by Lasseigne.

Still in the third, Guggenheim capped another scoring drive with a 1-yard plunge into the end zone for his record-tying fourth rushing touchdown. Spears fueled the possession with a 58-yard rush.

The fourth quarter saw each team punt three times to keep the score at 38-7.

Nicholls finished with 237 yards rushing and 441 total yards. Guggenheim carried the ball 16 times for 64 yards, moving into the program’s Top 10 on the career rushing yards list. McQuiade threw for 204 yards on 15 of 25 and had one TD and one interception.

Hayden Shaheen led the defense with seven tackles while Morton added six. All three cornerbacks had busy days with Kendarius Smith breaking up four passes, while Jackson had three and Markeyvrick Eddie finished with two. Joe Mason recorded a sack for the third consecutive game.

Nicholls will host rival Northwestern State this Saturday for Family Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.