Colonels Fall Just Short to Lions

Thibodaux, LA- A rather slow start to the game, Southeasterns’ Julius Maracalin was first to score on a 2-yard rushing touchdown. Alo completed several passes but could not find any receivers in the end zone so they relied on the ground game early. The Lions go ahead 7-0.

Chase Fourcade threw a costly interception on the next possession and was returned back to the 10-yard line. Justin Alo rushed for a touchdown on the following play to put the Lions ahead 14-0 in the 1^st Quarter. Alo ran an option play and took it in himself untouched.

Fourcade looked more comfortable on the following possession as he took the offense nearly 80 yards before throwing a touchdown pass. C. J. Bates was wide open on a 28-yard reception as he continued to show good rapport with the freshman quarterback. The Colonels still trail 14-7.

Things really took off for Nicholls State as Dontrell Taylor nearly scored on a 67-yard run. Unfortunately, the Lions defense pushed him out of bounds just before hitting the end zone. Fourcade would keep it himself on the following play and score a 1-yard rushing touchdown. The Colonels come out of nowhere and tied the game at 14-14.

Dontrell Taylor started right where he left off at on the last drive. After Corey Abraham intercepted the ball in the Lions’ half, Taylor took off on a 33-yard rushing touchdown run. Nearly rushing for 100 yards on two plays, Taylor’s touchdown puts the Colonels ahead 21-14.

Fourcade threw his 2^nd interception of the night and it would cost him, as the Lions would capitalize on it. D’ Shaie Landor found Javon Conner on a 9-yard reception touchdown. A missed extra point attempt still puts Nicholls State in the lead 21-20.

The Lions woke up in the 2^nd half as Julius Maracalin scored a 21-yard rushing touchdown. Landor took the offensive unit 90 yards down the field before scoring a touchdown. Justin Alo did not return after halftime after getting injured on a play in the 1^st half. The Lions take the lead at 27-21.

Nicholls State could not find an answer for Southeasterns’ running game. Maracalin powered through for another touchdown from 10 yards out. The Colonels were giving up big chunks of yards on the drive as the Lions went 75 yards on 6 plays before scoring a touchdown. Southeastern advances 34-21.

The Colonels responded with an explosive 57-yard bomber to C.J. Bates for a touchdown. Fourcade found Bates for the 2^nd time on the night in a much-needed touchdown. The Colonels still trail 34-28.

Landor stepped up big for the Lions as Alo never returned to the field after his injury. He threw a beautiful 48-yard pass to Juwan Dickey who ran it in for a touchdown. Nicholls State kept allowing big plays to occur and this was the case as Southeastern holds a nice 41-28 lead in the 4^th Quarter.

Chase Fourcade tried to rally the troops as the Colonels were playing from behind most of the night. He threw his 3^rd interception of the night late in the 4^th Quarter. That did not stop the young talent from trying the reach the end zone as he was eager to score once more. He found Damion Jeanpiere on a 5-yard route that was good for a touchdown. The Colonels trail 44-36.

The Colonels recovered an onside kick on the following play with under 2:00 minutes to play. Chase Fourcade would really shine on the final drive as he got the Colonels all the way down to the goal line. Shortly afterwards, Fourcade rushed for a 2-yard touchdown to bring the score to 44-42. Unfortunately, Nicholls State did not convert the 2-point conversion and felt short to Southeastern.