Nicholls gave its homecoming crowd a finish to remember. Down 17 at halftime, the Colonels rallied for a 32-31 win over East Texas A&M on Saturday at John L. Guidry Stadium, sealing it on Chase Richardson’s 1-yard touchdown run and a two-point pass with 47 seconds left.
East Texas A&M controlled the first half and led 24-7 at the break after Major McBride ran for two scores and Reese Mooney found Micah Simpson for a 66-yard touchdown.
The momentum flipped early in the third quarter when Kasai Jones scooped up a fumble and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown. Richardson later hit Greg Donaldson for a 37-yard score to make it 24-21, and Kingston Phan tied the game with a 30-yard field goal early in the fourth. The Lions went back in front 31-24 on EJ Oakmon’s 5-yard run with 3:36 remaining, but Nicholls answered with a 10-play, 65-yard drive. Richardson punched it in, then connected with Chantz Babineaux on the two-point try for the lead.
Richardson ran for 119 yards on 25 carries and threw for 135 yards and a touchdown without an interception. Patrick Gales added 104 rushing yards and a touchdown as Nicholls ran for 221 yards, and Donaldson caught five passes for 74 yards. Gary Bailey Jr. and Kevin Martin Jr. each intercepted Mooney, who threw for 352 yards.
Nicholls (4-6, 3-4 Southland) plays at UIW in San Antonio on Saturday, Nov. 14.
Photo: Nicholls Athletics
