TROY, Ala.–The Nicholls State Football team fell to FBS opponent Troy 20-38 in its first non-conference game of the season Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

After a scoreless first quarter by both teams, the Colonels struck first in the second quarter.

Gabriel Showalter opened the scoring with a 45-yard field goal, and sophomore running back Miequle Brock Jr. followed with a 3-yard run, which gave the Colonels a 10-0 lead. 

Troy cut the lead back to three before halftime when quarterback Goose Crowder connected with wide receiver Roman Mothershed for a 27-yard touchdown. This cut the deficit to 10-7.

The Colonels came out swinging in the third quarter. Quarterback Deuce Hogan hit Brock Jr. for a 58-yard catch-and-run touchdown. Troy responded with a Scott Taylor Renfroe field goal. The Colonels punted the last possession of the quarter.

The final quarter swayed heavily in Troy’s favor. Crowder scored a 16-yard touchdown run for Troy, but briefly after, Showalter gave the Colonels back the lead with a 22-yard field goal.

On the next Troy drive, Crowder found Tray Taylor for the 28-yard touchdown pass, giving Troy a 24-20 advantage.

The turning point of the game came when Jr. cornerback Jaquez White intercepted Hogan with almost six minutes left on the board. On the next play, Troy’s Tae Meadows ran the ball for a 47-yard touchdown before forcing another Colonels punt. 

Troy drove the field one final time, and Crowder found Ethan Conner for the 5-yard touchdown to seal the game.

The Colonels (1-1) will look to rebound when they host fellow FCS opponent West Georgia next week. The Colonels will rely on having more experience this season to lead them in their next game.