Colonels’ Laiche named to STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award Watch List

THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University defensive lineman Sully Laiche has been added to the STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award Watch List, the organization announced Wednesday. The award is presented to the top defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision.

A native of Gramercy, Louisiana and Lutcher graduate, Laiche enters the final week of the regular season ranked 13th in the FCS in tackles for loss (16.5) and 14th in sacks (8.5). He has started all 10 games on the defensive line and is fifth on the team with 36 tackles. Laiche forced a pair of turnovers on two of his sacks, including recovering his own forced fumble against Stephen F. Austin.

A three-year starter and two-time All-Southland selection, Laiche ranks third on the FCS active career sacks list with 25.5. He has registered seven games with 2.0 or more sacks, highlighted by two 3.5 sack efforts. One of his career highs came in the win at HBU this season.

Laiche has been a key player on the Colonel defense, which leads the Southland in points allowed (21.2), total defense (330.2) and rushing defense (101.8). Nicholls is second in the FCS in both sacks and tackles for loss, and ranks in the top 25 in scoring defense, total yards and rushing yards allowed.

Presented since 1999, the Buchanan Award past winners include NFL players such as Dexter Coakley, Rashean Mathis, Jared Allen, Arthur Moats, and Kyle Emanuel. A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will select the winner following the regular season.

For more information about STATS FCS, follow it on Twitter @FCS_STATS.

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Nicholls hosts Southeastern Louisiana in the River Bell Classic at 6 p.m this Thursday (Nov. 15). In addition to the rivalry trophy, a Colonel win would secure a share of the Southland Conference championship and give Nicholls the automatic qualifier for the FCS playoffs.