Fourcade, Gums break records as No. 25 Nicholls downs HBU, 48-27

THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University quarterback Chase Fourcade and running back Julien Gums broke a pair of program rushing records as the No. 25 Colonels earned their second consecutive win with a 48-27 triumph over HBU Saturday evening on Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium.

Nicholls (6-4, 5-2 SLC) piled up 515 yards of total offense and five of its seven touchdowns were on the ground which fueled the record night. Gums rushed for three first-half scores to give him 14 on the season, surpassing Fourcade’s and Broderick Cole’s previous program single-season best of 13. Fourcade accounted for four touchdowns in the win, including two rushing to give him 34 for his career – breaking Cole’s record of 33.

Despite the historic evening, the Colonels faced a 17-13 deficit in the second quarter against HBU (4-6, 1-5 SLC) before finding the end zone in four of their next five drives for a commanding 41-20 lead heading into the fourth. HBU made it a two-score game with 10 minutes to go, and the Colonels closed it out with Fourcade’s record-breaking touchdown from a yard out with 3:26 remaining.

The senior quarterback had a near-perfect outing, throwing for 294 yards and two touchdowns on 17 of 23, with his lone miscue being an interception in the second quarter. He also added 71 yards rushing on 16 carries as Nicholls totaled 207 for the contest. Gums carried the load again with 22 carries for 104 yards – his second 100-yard game in as many weeks.

While Gums gave Nicholls an early 13-3 with rushing scores of 1 and 10 yards in the first, wide receiver Dion Ray played a major role in setting up the touchdowns. On the opening drive, he hauled in catches of 20 and 36 yards, and then followed up with a 51-yard grab on the second TD drive. Ray also had a career night with seven receptions for 145 yards – highlighted by 134 yards before the intermission.

The Huskies brought the league’s top offense in scoring, total yards, and passing yards – and the Colonels held them to below their averages and one offensive touchdown. The first was a kick returned for a score and the final Husky touchdown was a result from a botched punt that gave HBU the ball at the Colonel 2.

Defensive lineman Sully Laiche, who is on the Buck Buchanan Watch List for the FCS’ top defensive player, added two more sacks to his season total to give him eight on the year. With 33.5 for his career, Laiche moved into fourth place on the Southland Conference’s all-time sack list.

Freshman Jordan Jackson recorded his first career interception, leading to Gums’ third touchdown of the half. Jackson picked off Bailey Zappe and returned it 11 yards to the HBU 19, and two plays later, Nicholls retook the lead at 20-17.

Fourcade followed with an interception of his own, but Nicholls held the Huskies to a 31-yard field goal by Gino Garcia that tied the game. But before the break, Fourcade hit David Robinson Jr. for a 38-yard catch in the end zone, giving the Raceland native his first career touchdown catch as a Colonel.

In the third quarter, Fourcade accounted for two more scores – one passing and one on the ground. What ended up being an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jordan Talley started with Fourcade scrambling back-and-fourth before dumping the ball off to Talley for his second TD catch of the year. Another tight end, Bry’kiethon Mouton, brought in a 24-yard catch to set up Fourcade’s first rushing score and a 41-20 lead to close out the third.

Kevin Moore III led the Colonel defense with nine tackles and Kevin Johnson finished with eight. Linebacker Laryon James added 1.5 tackles for loss.

UP NEXT
Nicholls will play its final home regular-season game on Saturday, Nov. 16 against rival McNeese. The Senior Day contest will kickoff at 3 p.m.

TICKETS
Tickets for Nicholls football are available by visiting geauxcolonels.com or calling the Nicholls Ticket Office at 985-448-4790.

STAYING SOCIAL
Follow the Colonels all season long on Twitter (@Nicholls_FB) and Instagram (@Nicholls_FB).