Nicholls recovers and then beats McNeese 24-19

Associated Press

THIBODAUX, La. (AP) – Pat McQuaide threw the go-ahead touchdown, giving Nicholls a lead with a fourth-quarter score that helped the Colonels beat McNeese 24-19 on Saturday.

With eight minutes left, McQuaide went over the goal from a meter away and took the lead 24:13 after 13 plays.

That touchdown proved crucial when Nicholls (4-4, 2-1 Southland Conference) hit one of its blockers, who bounced back toward the player. McNeese recovered at the Colonels' 28-yard drive and scored on Bryce Strong's 2-yard run to cut the lead to five with under three minutes left.

Nicholls had to punt and handed the ball to McNeese at the 21-yard line with 20 seconds left. Kamden Sixkiller's pass was intercepted and the Colonels had no chance.

Nicholls trailed by eight before Miequle Brock ran 66 yards for a touchdown and McQuaide threw a 39-yard catch-and-run TD pass to Collin Guggenheim just over a minute before halftime to make it 14-10 to take the lead.

Brock ran for 101 yards on nine carries and McQuaide was 18 of 34 for 178 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Terry Matthews had eight catches for 94 yards.

Joshon Barbie ran 69 yards for a score and finished the game with 121 yards on 13 carries for the Cowboys (4-5, 1-3). Sixkiller was 22 of 40 passing for 233 yards with one interception.

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