Late TD leads Red past White in Nicholls spring game

After two early long touchdown passes got things going for the offenses in the Nicholls State University football team’s spring game, the defenses took over the rest of the day, including a game-changing interception in the final minutes, as Red rallied for a 14-10 victory against the White Saturday at John L. Guidry Stadium.
With White holding a 10-7 lead in the fourth, the White defense came up big in the red zone as Jonavon Lewis intercepted a pass at the 3 to prevent Red from tying or taking the lead.
But, three plays later, Red’s Anfernee Poindexter stepped in front of a Chase Fourcade pass at the 31 and returned it to the 1-yard line, setting up a 1-yard touchdown run by Kyran Irvin with 1:50 remaining.
The Red defense then forced a turnover on downs before White burned all three timeouts to get the ball back with 55 seconds remaining.
Starting from its own 29, Fourcade led White to a first down before a Hail Mary into the end zone on the final play was batted down by the Red defense to preserve the victory.
The White defense three intercepted three passes and recorded two sacks. Corey Abraham led the white squad with six tackles. Lewis, Jai Knight and Darren Evans each had a pick for White, while Allen Pittman and Terrell Encalade recorded sacks.
For Red’s defense, Nicholls had five tackles for loss, including one sack, from Brandon Fontenot. Along with his interception, Poindexter recovered a muffed punt in the second quarter.
The defenses looked to be in for a long day as both teams scored on lengthy touchdown passes in their first drives. Red’s Charles Brooks found Damion Jeanpiere for a 63-yard strike to start the scoring before White answered on a 41-yard pass from Fourcade to Christian Booker, who led all receivers with three catches for 71 yards.
David McKey capped the scoring in the first with a 26-yard field goal to put White up 10-7.
The defenses pitched a shutout the rest of the way before Irvin scored the go-ahead touchdown for Red in the final minutes.
Irvin led Red with 35 yards rushing on 10 carries, while Brooks was 4-of-12 passing with a touchdown and three interceptions.
Stefano Guarisco and Garret LeBlanc, Central Catholic alumni, were members of the Red squad. Guarisco caught one pass for 5 yards and had one solo tackle. LeBlanc had one reception for 8 yards.
White was led offensively by Donnell Adair with nine carries for 39 yards, and Fourcade finished 10-of-25 passing with a touchdown and an interception.
Aaron McKenney joined Booker with three catches and totaled 27 yards for White.
The Colonels open the 2017 season Aug. 31 against rival McNeese. Season tickets are available by calling the Nicholls Athletics Ticket Office at 985-448-4790.