In an electrifying game with more than 1,000 yards of combined total offense, Nicholls (5-3, 2-2 SLC) fell in overtime to Central Arkansas (5-3, 2-2 SLC) 49-42 Saturday night in Estes Stadium.
In the first quarter, the Colonels drove downfield for three plays for 84 yards on a Joseph, Tobias’ 9-yard run to go up early in the game 7-0. The Bears answered back with a clock draining drive of their own to go 14 plays and 77 yards on a Spencer, Hebert 1 yard run to tie the score at 7-7. The Colonels possessed the ball one more time in the first quarter, but were forced to punt. The Bears took advantage and scored a touchdown on a 20-yard pass to wide receiver Preston Echols from quarterback Nathan Brown to put the Bears in the lead 14-7 to end the first quarter.
In the start of the second quarter, the Colonels drove down field in 13 plays for 72 yards to tie the score 14-14 on a 3-yard run by running back Broderick Cole. Cole would score another touchdown in the second quarter to put the Colonels at 21 points going into half time and the Bears would score another touchdown on the arm of Brown to tie the score 21-21. The second half of the football game the Colonels would score 3 more touchdowns. Two of the touchdowns came from Cole and one from the throwing arm of quarterback Vincent Montgomery. The Bears would score 2 more touchdowns on the arm of Brown and 1 of the touchdowns would come from running back Brent Grimes to put the game into overtime.
In overtime, the Bears would open up play with a 7-play drive for a touchdown. Following the extra point the Bears were up 49-42. The Colonels would answer back with a fumble from quarterback Zach Chauvin on the nine-yard line to end the game.
Senior fullback Broderick Cole had a great night rushing for nearly 200 yards and scoring 4 touchdowns in which he tied the Nichols record for most in a game and has the most rushing touchdowns in school history with 30. Cole averaged 7.8 yards a carry and had a game long 67 yard run.
“Broderick is a fine young man, and he, like all of our seniors gave it their all tonight”. Thomas said.
Also, the Louisiana Sports Writers Association named junior safety Ladairus Webb specialist of the week. The award marks the second player of the week award Webb has received from the LSWA. Webb averaged 29.6 yards a carry and returned five kickoffs for 148 yards and a game long 61-yard return and earned 9 tackles including 4 solos.
The Colonel next game on the schedule is on the road against the Sam Houston Bearkats. The Colonels will face off against all-American quarterback Rhett Bomar. Bomar transferred from the Oklahoma Sooners to play for Sam Houston. During his time at Oklahoma, this young man passed for 2018 yards and scored 10 touchdowns as a red shirt freshman Bomar was ranked on Rivals.com as being the best pro-style quarterback in this decade.
However, as a Bearkat, Bomar has experienced problems in the last four games and managed to only score 2 touchdowns. Both of those touchdowns would come against Central Arkansas and McNeese State. The game is schedule for kick off on Nov. 3 at 6:00 p.m.