The Colonels fell to 1-7 and 0-4 in Southland Conference play after a 38-17 loss to 13th-ranked McNeese State in John L. Guidry Stadium Oct. 31.The Colonels limited the Cowboys to just 305 total yards of offense, but the Cowboys started seven out of their 11 drives in Colonels territory.

Five of the seven drives led to 31 points for the Cowboys and were enough to give them the victory. As for Nicholls, the Colonels did not start a single drive in McNeese State territory.

“We didn’t win the field position battle today, which ultimately cost us,” head coach Jay Thomas said. “McNeese State, for the majority of the game, had a short field to work on, and they did capitalize on their opportunities. They are a good football team.”

The Colonels’ offense posted a total of 294 yards, with 248 of them coming on the ground. Senior fullback Marlin Meeks led all Colonel rushers with a career-high 143 yards on 25 carries and a score.

Junior Yashua Willis and senior Garrick Spain led the Colonels in tackles with nine each.

“We played hard,” Thomas said. “We played hard enough to win, but failed to capitalize on gaining the momentum and had to put together long scoring drives to get the ball in the end zone.”

The Cowboys scored two touchdowns in the first quarter, and it was not until the 9:23 mark of the second period that the Colonels found the end zone with an eight-yard run by senior running back A.J. Williams.

The drive went a total of 11 plays for 78 yards, a season high in both categories for Nicholls. Leading 14-7, the Cowboys went on a 10-0 scoring run to put McNeese up 24-7 at the half.

The Colonels opened the second half with two back-to-back defensive stops and capitalized on the second one with a 24-yard field goal by senior Ross Schexnayder to make the score 24-10 with 8:23 left in the second quarter.

McNeese scored two more touchdowns in the next 10 minutes to give them a 38-17 lead and the game.

The Colonels head to Nacogdoches, Texas on Saturday, where they will play Stephen F. Austin at 6 p.m. They will return home Nov. 14 to take on the Demons of Northwestern State in the Colonels’ last home game of the season. Kickoff time is at 1 p.m.