A lot has changed for the Nicholls State football program since they last took the field on December 7, 2019. Gone are two of the most decorated athletes in Nicholls sports history in Chase Fourcade and Sully Laiche. 

Friday’s game began with a defensive stop for the Colonels, causing a 3-and-out for the Lincoln University of Missouri Blue Tigers (LU). Senior-transfer quarterback Lindsey Scott Jr. would get the start under-center for the Colonels, and they would hold the ball for just under two minutes as Scott would find the endzone on a 13-yard rush to give the Colonels the lead.

Following an interception by Kevin Johnson, the Colonels would once again quickly find the endzone with a 20-yard rush by running back Tevin Bush, finishing the first quarter with Nicholls leading 13-0.

The second quarter would begin much like the first, with Scott quickly finding Bush through the air for a 26-yard touchdown pass. On the ensuing kickoff, Marquese Albert would recover a fumble to give the ball back to the offense.

The offense would keep momentum with Junior Kohen Granier now at quarterback, with Granier finding wide receiver Dontaze Costly in the endzone for a 17-yard score followed by an 18-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Dai’Jean Dixon on the next drive. As LU tries to answer, sophomore linebacker Dellary Oubre would return a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown. 

On their last drive of the first half, the Colonels would keep the ball on the ground with a mix of rushes from Scott and running back Julien Gums. The Colonels would take five minutes off the clock before a 1-yard touchdown run by Gums, giving Nicholls a 46-0 lead into halftime.

The second half would start with the Colonels continuing to find the endzone, as Scott connects with Costly on a 21-yard touchdown pass. After the two teams exchanged punts, the Blue Tigers would finally contribute to the scoring with a 32-yard field goal.

The Colonels would answer the Tigers’ field goal with a 3-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Ronnie Jackson. Nicholls would end the third quarter with a 38-yard rushing touchdown by running back Troy Hurst, extending the lead to 66-3.

Less than two minutes into the fourth quarter, running back Collin Guggenheim would power his way into the endzone with a two-yard touchdown run. On the very next LU possession, freshman linebacker Ashton Robinson would intercept a pass, giving the ball right back to the Colonels.

The offense would need only two plays for Albert to carry the ball seven yards into the endzone. After a combined three punts from both teams, the Colonels would once again capitalize on a turnover. This time it would be a fumble recovery by defensive lineman Jamiran James. On the very next play, senior Donnell Adair would run 39 yards for the final touchdown of the night, extending the lead to what would become the game’s final score of 87-3.

The Colonels would go on to score 13 total touchdowns on the night, with one coming from the defense. 

Scott and Granier passed for a combined 228 yards and four touchdowns, completing 18 out of 20 passes. Scott also rushed for 40 yards and a touchdown.

The 87-3 victory is the largest point differential and highest scoring game by a Southland Conference team since 2009.

The Colonels are back-in-action on Feb. 27 at 3 p.m. when they take on Southland Conference foe Lamar University in Thibodaux.