THIBODAUX, La. – Lamar University came to Thibodaux, La., with an opportunity to do something that no one expected when the season began – move into a tie for first place with one game remaining – for a team coming off a one-win season. Unfortunately, things didn't go Lamar's way as the Cardinals lost at Nicholls, 37-24, Saturday evening at Guidry Stadium.
The Cardinals racked up 415 yards of total offense, including 289 through the air, but didn't have an answer for Nicholls' high-powered ground attack. The Colonels finished the game with 455 yards of offense, including 349 rushing.
The Cardinals were hurt by three turnovers (two interceptions and a fumble) including two on consecutive drives in the first half which led to two Colonels' touchdowns.
Junior
Robert Coleman completed 17-of-35 passes for 289 yards and two scores. He also led LU's ground attack with 14 carries for 72 yards.
Coleman connected with four different receivers led by five catches for 66 yards and a score from
Devyn Gibbs. Sophomore
Kyndon Fuselier added three grabs for 77 yards and a score.
The defense was led by senior Josh Ofili's 13 tackles, including one for a loss. Beaumont sophomore
Kristian Pugh added nine tackles – seven solo stops – and one for a loss.
The Cardinals' offense opened the game in fine fashion with an 11-play, 76-yard drive which ended with a one-yard run from R.J. Carver right up the middle. The drive took 5:41 off the clock. The Cardinals converted two fourth down opportunities to keep the drive alive.
Unfortunately, Nicholls answered on their opening drive scoring on an eight-play, 68-yard drive four minutes later.
Nicholls' defense snagged the momentum on the next two series as they forced turnovers (an interception and a fumble) which led to two Nicholls' scores, but the Colonels only walked away with a 20-9 advantage. Nicholls' defense came up with a couple big plays, but Lamar's special teams came up with one of their own.
Siale Suliafu broke through the line on the PAT after Nicholls' second touchdown to thwart the attempt and the ball was picked up by
Ramond Stevens who returned it the distance for two points.
Still trailing by 11, the Cardinals called on punter
Alfonso Deleon to pin Nicholls deep in its own territory and Deleon obliged. Deleon recorded a 35-yard punt which was downed on the Nicholls' one, but after a penalty gave Nicholls a first down the Lamar defense shoved back and three plays later managed to drop Nicholls' quarterback Pat McQuaide for a safety. It was freshman
Royce Maloles who recorded the stop.
The Cardinals had a chance late in the half with the ball on the Nicholls' one and nine seconds on the clock, but Nicholls' made a goal line stand to keep Big Red out of the end zone.
The Cardinals came out of the locker room and fired the first salvo of the second half. After getting a stop defensively Lamar's offense came on the field and marched the ball 69 yards down the field on a drive which ended with a Coleman to
Kyndon Fuselier 19-yard pass in the back right corner of the endzone. Along with the PAT Big Red found itself back within two, 20-18, but the game would turn against Lamar over the course of the next five minutes.
Nicholls answered the Cardinals score less than 90 seconds later with a 15-yard pass from McQuaide to David Robinson – a score which was setup by a 69-yard rush from Jaylon Spears. On the Cardinals' first play following the interception, Nicholls came up with its second interception of the game which led to another Nicholls' TD.
Down 34-18, the Cardinals answered back just seconds into the fourth quarter with a Coleman to Gibbs pass in the corner of the end zone to pull Lamar within 10, 34-24. The Colonels responded with a 28-yard field goal midway through fourth. Unfortunately, Lamar was unable to respond on its next possession and time ran out on Big Red.
The Cardinals return to action Saturday when they will back in Provost Umphrey Stadium to host the Battle of the Border Rivalry against McNeese. The game against McNeese will kick off at 3 p.m. and will be broadcast on Newstalk 560 KLVI and streamed live on EPSN+. The Cardinals can secure a winning season with the victory, which would be there first since 2018.
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