The Colonels football team pulled off what could arguably be called the greatest upset in school history by stunning the Rice University Owls 16-14, Saturday night at Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas. The win was the first time in the 35-year history of Nicholls football the team had ever upset a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent, formally known as Division I-A. Nicholls entered the contest with a 0-8 record against FBS (I-A) teams.
Although a total of 20 Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA) teams played against FBS (I-A) teams in week one of college football, only two came out of the games victorious – Nicholls and Appalachian State University.
Nicholls head coach Jay Thomas said the win against Rice was monumental for the program and showed potential for success.
“This is probably one of the biggest, if not the biggest win in Nicholls State’s history,” Thomas said. “Our players hung in there and played aggressively down to down. Rice is a very talented team but we survived the challenge.”
The Colonels were 32-point underdogs heading into the game.
Both teams were held scoreless in the first quarter of play, which was delayed at the 2:16 mark for 53 minutes because of lightning. Junior safety Ladarius Webb recorded his first interception of the night by picking off the Owl’s quarterback Chase Clement at the 8:45 mark.
Following the delay, Nicholls received the ball and mounted a 69-yard drive on 12 plays, which continued into the second quarter. The Colonels failed to score when the drive ended with a 31-yard missed field goal by Alex Romero.
With 9:53 remaining in the second quarter, Rice mounted an 80-yard, 13-play drive that resulted in a touchdown when Rice’s backup quarterback James Casey found the end zone on a two yard run. Rice’s kicker Clark Fangmeier tacked on the extra point to give Rice the 7-0 lead with 5:42 left in the second quarter.
The Colonels’ next possession started out on a positive note when safety Webb returned the kickoff 61 yards to give Nicholls the ball at the Rice 31-yard line; however, the Colonels fumbled later in the drive and lost possession of the ball on the Rice 15-yard line.
The Owls seemed to dodge a bullet until quarterback Chase Clement fumbled to give Nicholls possession again on the Rice 30-yard line.
The Colonels offense took over and quarterback Vincent Montgomery found senior running back Grant Thorne for a 30-yard touchdown pass. Romero kicked the extra point to tie the game 7-7 with 2:16 left in the quarter.
Webb made the Owl’s next possession brief by picking off quarterback Chase Clement for a second time in the flat for a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown. Romero made the kick to give Nicholls the 14-7 lead going into the half.
The third quarter of play started with Rice driving the ball to Nicholls’ 10-yard line but the game was delayed for 74 minutes at the 9:57 mark due to lightning.
Following the delay, Clement found the end zone on a 10-yard rush. Fangmeier made the extra point to tie the game 14-14.
The Colonels followed Rice’s scoring drive with a trip to the Owl’s one-yard line, but fell short while going for the touchdown on fourth and goal. Rice took the ball over in dangerous territory and Webb picked off Clement for a third time.
Nicholls failed to capitalize on the turnover and gave Rice the ball back on their 27-yard line. After a quick three and out, Nicholls forced Rice into a punting situation that would eventually be the determining factor of the game.
Sophomore Garrick Spain blocked the punt resulting in a safety that sealed the win for the Colonels.
Nicholls offense put up 194 yards rushing and 87 yards passing with seven points.
The Colonels defense scored nine points, forced five turnovers and allowed 117 yards rushing and 101 yards passing.
Webb was given a surplus of awards for his school-record tying three interceptions, one of which was a pick six for 32 yards. The safety recorded seven tackles, including three solo stops and 156 all purpose yards on returns and interceptions.
Webb was named SLC Defensive Player of the Week, College Sporting News National Player of the Week, Sports Network National Defensive Player of the Week and Sports Media Entertainment Network Best Defensive Back of week one.
Thomas said Webb was a great asset and played very hard against the Owls on Saturday night.
“Ladarius is a great player and a hard worker on the field. I am happy that he is being recognized with so many awards,” Thomas said.
The Colonels were entered into the top 25 polls following the upset. Sports Media Entertainment ranked the Colonels at 19 while AGS placed the Colonels at 22.
The Colonels return to action this weekend at home when they face off against Southern Arkansas at 6 p.m. in John L. Guidry Stadium.
Thomas said it is critical for the team to stay focused on the upcoming game against the Muleriders.
“We must stay focused and become prepared for the Southern Arkansas game. They are a talented team and cannot be taken lightly,” Thomas said. “We cannot allow ourselves to be overconfident heading into this game.
