Nicholls’ football team entered Saturday’s game with renewed confidence to go on a championship run.

By the time the clock hit zero, those hopes were all but dashed.

Nicholls(4-5, 2-2) dropped its second conference matchup to Stephen F. Austin(6-3, 4-2) losing 28-12 on Saturday, November 2nd.

It was the first meeting of the teams since the Lumberjacks rejoined the Southland Conference in the Summer of 2024 after leaving on July 1, 2021, to join the Western Athletic Conference.

Nicholls started the game in great position scoring field goals in the first and second quarter to take a 6-0 lead with 9:29 remaining in the first half.

Nicholls held SFA scoreless through most of the first half, but the mistakes soon arrived and quickly added up. A blocked put, interception and fumble in the final five minutes of the half not only cost Nicholls the lead but also gave SFA a 15-point lead heading into the final half.

Nicholls struggled with miscues throughout the game throwing three interceptions and fumbling the ball four times, losing possession once.

These miscues come despite Nicholls’ 413-301 yardage lead over SFA.

Defensive pressure could be to blame as SFA sacked Nicholls quarterback Pat McQuaide six times.

SFA added another two tackles for loss in its victory.

As aforementioned, the loss drops Nicholls in the conference title race, as conference leader the University of the Incarnate Word recorded its third consecutive conference win since its victory over Nicholls in its conference opener.

Nicholls looks to keep its thinned championship hopes alive next Saturday on the road against Houston Christian University at 2 p.m.