Stephen F. Austin
Nicholls
Lumberjacks Drop Double Overtime Heartbreaker to Colonels, 35-28
10/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nicholls 35, Stephen F. Austin 28 (2OT)
Guidry Stadium | Thibodaux, La.
Records: SFA (3-3, 2-2 SLC); NICH (2-3, 1-2 SLC)
Up Next: vs. Southeastern Louisiana | Saturday, Oct. 15 | Homer Bryce Stadium
THIBODAUX, La. – Stephen F. Austin and Nicholls needed two overtime periods to settle their Southland Conference showdown, but in the end, it was Nicholls that emerged victorious, defeating SFA 35-28 at John L. Guidry Stadium.
After playing to a stalemate in the fourth quarter and ending regulation tied 21-21, SFA got the ball first in overtime and converted a key third-down completion to Liggins, getting the ball inside the 10. After getting stopped at the goal line on third down, the ‘Jacks rolled the dice and went for it with Zach Conque getting across the plane, giving SFA the 28-21 lead. But that was quickly answered by a touchdown strike on Nicholls’ first play, sending the game into a second overtime.
Getting the ball first in the second stanza, Nicholls converted a fourth and inches inside the 10 yard line, then punched it in from one yard out on third and goal, reclaiming the lead 35-28.
On SFA’s possession, Conque raced for six yards on fourth and three, giving the ‘Jacks new life at the 12-yard line. But a Lumberjack fumble on second down was recovered by Nicholls, sealing the win for the Colonels.
It looked promising for Stephen F. Austin early as SFA raced out to the fast start on a hot afternoon in southern Louisiana, registering two touchdowns within the first three minutes of the game. The first came off a scramble from Conque who found West racing down the far sideline, hauling in a 30-yard touchdown pass just 1:15 into the game.
On Nicholls’ ensuing possession, an interception by Stone gave SFA the ball at the Colonel 32-yard line. Conque once again connected on the far sideline, this time to Hart, stepping out of bounds at the one-yard line. Conque then punched it in, putting SFA on top 14-0 with 12:15 left in the first quarter.
But the Lumberjack offense couldn’t find much traction for the remainder of the first half, aided by nine penalties for 79 yards which negated a handful of big plays for the SFA offense.
Trailing 14-0 after one, Nicholls was able to put together a nine-play, 85-yard drive midway through the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 14-7. Late in the quarter, with SFA looking to find the endzone in the waning minutes, Nicholls registered an interception in Lumberjack territory, returning it inside the redzone and scoring three plays later, knotting the game 14-14 at the half.
Nicholls used the momentum from late in the second quarter to strike first in the third, converting a third and long and eluding defenders for a 36-yard touchdown, taking the 21-14 lead over the ‘Jacks.
After a big defensive stand later in the quarter, the SFA offense once again found a spark as Conque connected with Pace on a 49-yard touchdown strike down the near sideline, pulling even at 21-21 to end the third quarter.
The fourth quarter saw both teams exchange possessions for the majority, playing the field position battle back and forth. SFA took possession with just over four minutes remaining but was unable to generate much offense, punting the ball back to Nicholls with just under two minutes to go. A huge defensive stand, capped with a sack on third down from Harrison, ended the threat and sending SFA to the ninth overtime game in program history.
With the loss, SFA falls to 3-3 on the year and 2-2 in Southland Conference play as its eight-game winning streak against Nicholls comes to a close. The ‘Jacks are now 6-3 all-time in overtime games in program history, playing in its first overtime tilt since 2008.
Conque finished the game 14-of-25 for 201 passing yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 28 and two scores as well. Pace caught five passes for 104 yards and a touchdown, his second-straight 100-yard receiving game, with Joshawa West (36 yards), Loren Easly (32) and Kijana Amous (32) combining for 31 carries on the afternoon.
Defensively, George Stone and Aaron Foy each finished with 10 tackles on the day, setting a new career-best for Foy. Patrick Martin and Alize Ward each had seven with Ward, Kedrick Harrison and John Franklin all registering tackles for loss.
SFA returns to action next Saturday, October 15, returning between the hills at Homer Bryce Stadium for a showdown with Southeastern Louisiana. Kickoff against the Lions is set for 3 p.m.
-SFA-
