Tyler Morton and Collin Guggenheim won Southland Conference Player of the Week awards after stellar performances against Houston Christian University.
Morton won SLC Defensive Player of the Week after a two-interception game against the Huskies.
Morton does not take the award lightly and said he feels honored to receive it.
“It means a lot to me, it’s something every player in the Southland would like to get,” Morton said. “It’s definitely a great honor.”
He believes turnovers are not an individual stat, instead, it’s his way of helping the team.
“I’m thankful that I’m able to help out my team and lately [turnovers] are how I’ve been able to help,” Morton said.
Morton had his first interception early in the first quarter, on HCU’s first drive of the game, when a pass tipped by Nicholls’ Kendarius Smith landed in the hands of the Safety Morton.
The interception led to Nicholls’ first touchdown of the game.
Morton’s second interception came at the end of the first half.
Morton picked off HCU quarterback Colby Suits and returned it 26 yards before being tackled with one second left at the HCU 13-yard line.
He said he saw a similar play run in the game against the University of the Incarnate Word but was in a different coverage.
He added that a similar play was called early in the game against HCU, but he did not react in time.
Preparation is what gave Morton the ability to intercept the ball and it is an important part of his game planning.
“I spend a lot of time on my own watching film because I like to go into the game prepared,” He said.
Though it was Morton’s second consecutive SLC Player of the Week award, Guggenheim dominated the headlines with a four-touchdown performance that won him the SLC Offensive Player of the Week.
Guggenheim pointed out HCU’s great defense and praised the Nicholls offensive line.
“I was put in some good situations early. I had some good opportunities because other guys made plays to put us in the red zone,” Guggenheim said. “Once we got inside the 10, the Oline did a great job of making holes for me and made creases to make [the touchdowns] happen.”
Guggenheim scored his touchdowns in relatively quick succession, all within 15 minutes of each other, the first coming with 15 seconds left in the second quarter and the fourth with 52 seconds left in the third quarter.
Guggenheim established himself as a power running back in the game, scoring all four touchdowns on up-the-middle rushes within five yards of the endzone.
“[The defense] has done a great job these last two games, creating turnovers and putting us in some good spots so we can be successful,” Guggenheim said.
His four rushing touchdowns are tied for most in a game all-time at Nicholls.
Guggenheim is now tied with Nicholls running backs such as Julien Gums and Broderick Cole.
![Nicholls Jamal West Jr. [#15] attempting a layup against Southeastern 12/5/2024](https://thenichollsworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_0719-1200x801.jpeg)
