McNeese State Downs Nicholls State 24-14 For Conference Win

(McNeese quarterback Jacob Bower (12) rushed for 40 yard and one touchdown and went 12 of 21 for 112 yards and one touchdown in the air against Nicholls State. Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loco Photography, Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved)

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2010 TexSport Publications

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (October 30, 2010) The McNeese State Cowboys gave their fans a great homecoming weekend by downing Nicholls State 24-14 on Louis Bonnette Field at Cowboy State in Lake Charles Louisiana

The Cowboys were the first to draw blood on an 8-yard run by quarterback Jacob Bower. With the one-punt conversion by kicker Josh Lewis splitting the uprights, the Cowboys took the early 7-0 lead. The scoring drive consisted of 80 yards on 12 plays and lasted 5:08.

McNeese came back after one set of downs by Nichols to score on their second drive of the game. A one-yard rush by tailback Champlain Babin increased the Cowboys lead by six.

With Lewis again splitting the uprights, McNeese had a 14-point lead with 3:46 left in the 1st quarter. The drive lasted a mire 2:19 and consisted of five plays and 28 yards.

The Cowboys continued in the second quarter as Bower drove 40 yard in eight plays to connect with tight end Corday Clark on a one-yard pass for a touchdown. Lewis again added one point off his foot to increase McNeese’s lead to 21-0 with 11:18 left in the half.

Nicholl’s finally found the end zone with 56 seconds left in the half. Quarterback Landry Klann scored on a one-yard keeper. Along with Andrew Dolan’s kick, the scores cut McNeese’s lead to 14 points at halftime.

The Colonels scored again at the 10:17 mark in the 3rd quarter when Klann connected with receiver Kenyad Blair on a 35-yard pass. Dolan again added one to make to score 21-14.

The Nicholls’ drive lasted 1:58 and consisted of four plays on 49 yards.

McNeese had a chance to increase their lead to 10 with 6:33 remaining in the 3rd quarter on a 43-yard field goal by Lewis. His kick was wide and the Colonels took over at their 26 yard line.

Lewis did connect on his second field goal attempt of the night. He booted the ball 21 yards to add three points to the Cowboys total.

Bower connected on 12 of 21 passes for 112 yards and one touchdown.

Andre Anderson rushed for 171 yards on 29 carries, averaging 5.9 yards a carry.

On defense, Deron Minor had seven unassisted and two assisted tackles for a total of nine for the game.

Klann completed 14 of 18 passes for 150 yards in the Nicholls’ loss.

McNeese is now 4-4 on the season and 3-1 in Southland Conference play. They will travel to Huntsville, Texas next weekend to face San Houston State.

Nicholls State drops to 2-6 for the season and 1-3 in conference play and will SFA next weekend at home.