The Nicholls State University football team forced four takeaways in a 25-17 loss to Louisiana Tech University in its season opener on Saturday.

The Colonels intercepted Bulldogs’ quarterbacks three times and forced a fumble.

Defensive lineman Rasheed Lovelace started the turnover party for the Colonels with a first quarter interception that returned for 25 yards and touchdown. Lovelace added four tackles on the game.

Wide receiver Quincy Brown scored the only offensive touchdown for the Colonels on a 27-yard reception with 2:17 left in the fourth quarter.

Running back Collin Guggenheim led the Colonels in yards with 79 rushing yards on 18 attempts.

Louisiana Tech scored the first points of the game on a safety after downing a punt on the one following its first possession.

A Lovelace pick-six gave Nicholls its first touchdown and only lead a minute later.

Louisiana Tech responded a minute later with a 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jack Turner to reciever Solomon Lewis to give the Bulldogs a 9-7 lead.

After a 16 minute scoring drought, Louisiana Tech scored a touchdown with a 14-yard pass from quarterback Blake Baker to Marlion Jackson following a Nicholls’ fumble.

Kicker Gabe Showalter gave the Colonels three points with one minute remaining in the half to reduce the deficit to 10-15.

Louisiana Tech extended its lead to 25-10 after scoring on consecutive drives. Kicker Buck Buchanan scored the Bulldogs’ first points on a 24-yard field goal and running back Jimmy Holiday capped off the Bulldogs’ scoring on a 6-yard touchdown with 7:12 remaining in the game.

Brown scored Nicholls second touchdown on a 27-yard reception with 2:17 remaining.

The Colonels forced a punt on the following Bulldogs’ drive, but the drive stalled, ending in a failed fourth down conversion.

Nicholls ends its FBS schedule with a game against No. 13 LSU in Baton Rouge on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 6:30 p.m.

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