Nicholls scores third Southland Conference win

The Nicholls State University football team surrendered only a first-quarter touchdown for the second straight game as the Colonels improved to 3-0 in the Southland Conference with a 27-7 victory at Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

With the win, Nicholls (3-3, 3-0 SLC) matched its best start in SLC play when it started 3-0 in the championship 2019 campaign. The victory was also Tim Rebowe’s 50th of his tenure and gave the Red & Gray at least three league wins in all nine of his seasons

After giving up a long touchdown pass on an early fourth down, the Colonel defense pitched a shutout in the final three quarters for the second straight outing. On offense, Neno Lemay evened the score in the first with a catch-and-run for 35 yards, then Collin Guggenheim and Jaylon Spears each found the end zone on the ground for a 21-7 halftime lead.

The defense then came up big in the second half with three interceptions in the red zone. Devonte’ Mathews and Ethan Lee both had picks near the goal line in the third. After Guggenheim found the end zone again in the fourth quarter, Quinton Sharkey added his second interception of the season.

Guggenheim led the offense with 76 yards rushing on 16 carries as he upped his rushing touchdown career mark to 21, tying Dontrell Taylor. Guggenheim also eclipsed the 2,000-yard rushing plateau, becoming just the 10th Colonel to reach the milestone. Spears also had a strong outing on the ground, totaling 69 yards with a 5.8 average.

It was another all-around effort for the defense with 11 players being credited with at least 0.5 tackle for loss. Tyler Morton paced the team with nine tackles while Eli Ennis led with 2.5 tackles for loss including one sack. Kershawn Fisher added a sack while Rasheed Lovelace and JaQuan Fank teamed up for a third sack for the defense.

The Lions struck first with a 33-yard touchdown pass to Keith Miller, III. Facing a 4th-and-4 at the Colonel 33, Josh Magana found Miller open for the first points of the game.

Later in the quarter, Lemay and David Robinson Jr. fueled the game-tying drive. Robinson hauled in a 16-yard catch and then drew a pass interference to put Nicholls at the Lion 35. On the next play, Lemay caught a screen pass and raced down the sideline for his third touchdown of the season.
In the second, Pat McQuaide was intercepted on a deep ball at the Lion 5 but the defense responded with a three-and-out, setting up the go-ahead touchdown drive from midfield. Robinson started the possession with a 20-yard grab and the Colonels got another 15 yards via a personal foul. Two plays later, Guggenheim ran right up the middle for a 14-yard touchdown.

The second touchdown drive of the quarter was sparked by a 22-yard catch by Lee Negrotto that moved the chains on a third down. After the offense was gifted a first down via a facemask on fourth down, Spears sliced through the defense for a 17-yard touchdown run. Texas A&M-Commerce (1-6, 1-2 SLC) tried to answer right before the break but missed on a field goal.

The Lions switched quarterbacks following the intermission and threatened with lengthy drive. But on the 16th play of the possession, Mathews picked off a Lake Bennett pass at the 1 to keep the score at 21-7. A&M-Commerce reached the red zone again later in the period but Lee snagged a throw at the 2-yard line for his first career pick.

The final scoring drive was set up by a 59-yard catch by Terry Matthews in the fourth quarter. Guggenheim punched in his second TD from 2 yards out to make the final.McQuaide threw for 240 yards on 16 of 26 passing. Both Lion QBs finished with over 100 yards passing.

For the specialists, Kylan Dupre punted six times with two inside the 20 and a long of 53.

Nicholls will step outside of conference play to host the SEMO Redhawks on Saturday for Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m