The Nicholls State University football team broke a losing streak that spanned 23 games and 726 days with a 38-17 win over Houston Baptist University last Saturday at John L. Guidry Stadium.

The game was never in doubt as the Colonels scored 21 points in the first quarter, the most in one quarter this season, with their first touchdown following a fumble forced and recovered by defensive back Christian Boutte. Three plays later, quarterback Tuskani Figaro found the end zone on a three-yard run.

“The win was huge, not only for our team, but for our fans and supports as well,” Figaro said. “It was real big to get that gorilla off our back. Now it’s time to stack the win column.”

Nicholls tabbed season highs in total yards and time of possession, as the Colonels enjoyed a 21-10 halftime lead. Running back Michael Henry was responsible for the second and third touchdowns of the first half en route to a personal season high of 92 rushing yards.

Henry, a senior, said he was relieved to get the win but more excited to see smiling faces again in the Colonel locker room following a game. The win came on the heels of a second loss to Stephen F. Austin University the week before, which Henry said was one of the toughest losses he has been a part of.

“To come out and get that win at home, I can’t explain how proud I am of our team,” head coach Tim Rebowe said.

The Colonels outscored HBU in the second half as well (17-7) with rushing touchdowns from Figaro and running back Tobias Lofton. Lofton scored on a 39-yard run, his longest of the season. The offense found a new identity this season under first year offensive coordinator Rob Christophel, tallying 291 yards rushing and 134 yards passing against the Huskies.

“We have built good chemistry going back to the spring,” Figaro said. “I don’t think you will see us miss a beat from here on out.”

This team is arguably two plays away from being 3-1 in Southland Conference play this season. A block-in-the-back call in the University of Incarnate Word game negated an interception returned for a touchdown by Darius Knight that would have given the Colonels a 17-14 lead with under two minutes to play.

Last weekend, Nicholls lead SFA for 59 of 60 minutes after Figaro scored on a 35-yard run on the second play of the game. The Colonels lead the Lumberjacks until the last minute, taking 21-14 led into the fourth quarter on the road. On their last drive, after converting a 4th down at the Nicholls five-yard line, Lumberjack’s quarterback Zach Conque plunged into the end zone with 26 seconds to seal the victory.

It is hard to qualify progress in a team with a 0 in the win column; however, the Colonels now have something to show for the countless hours of practice and preparation.

“We deserved it,” Henry said. “It’s nice when all your hard work finally pays off.”