The Colonels lost their road matchup against Eastern Kentucky 27-7 Saturday, Sept. 27. Nicholls dropped to a 1-4 record on the season, while Eastern Kentucky improved to 2-3.

Breaking Down the Loss

The Colonels struck early when quarterback Deuce Hogan connected with star running back Miequle Brock Jr. for a 60-yard touchdown pass less than a minute into the game, the team’s longest scoring play of the season.

Nicholls held onto its 7-0 lead throughout the first quarter and nearly into the second half until sophomore running back Brady Hensly broke off a 68-yard rushing touchdown for EKU with 4:48 to go in the second quarter.

Hensly finished with a big performance, rushing for 148 yards on 14 attempts and averaging 10.6 yards per carry. Eastern controlled the line of scrimmage, outgaining Nicholls 242 to 117 in rushing yards.

Both teams entered the second half tied 7-7 until Hogan threw an interception to linebacker Kaden Smith, who returned the pick for a touchdown. Hogan ended the game completing 64.5 percent of his passes, with 213 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

The most he’s had in a game this season.

EKU rode the momentum of Smith’s pick-six by adding an 11-yard touchdown pass from Myles Burkett to South Florida transfer Dequan Stanley, while kicker Buzz Flabiano added two field goals in the fourth quarter for a 27-7 lead for Eastern.

Offensive Yards ≠ Points

Nicholls’ offense put together its most yards on the season with 330 but struggled to convert the offensive production into points. The combination of two turnovers, 1 for 11 on third downs and 2 for 5 on fourth downs left EKU with five extra possessions. This cost the Colonels the game.

Converting on third and fourth down opportunities has been a struggle for Nicholls all season, ranking 115th in the FCS in fourth down conversions on five attempts and 106th in third down conversions on 56 attempts.

Conference Play Ahead

The Colonels remain undefeated in Southland conference play, their sole win coming against the University of Incarnate Word more than a month ago at the beginning of the season.

The players will continue their four-game road stretch next week as they travel to Beaumont, Texas, to play Lamar University. Coach Rybacki’s team will need to stay disciplined if they still have hopes of remaining in the hunt in the Southland Conference.