Nicholls wraps up first preseason scrimmage

THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University football team held its first scrimmage of fall camp Saturday morning at John L. Guidry Stadium.

The controlled scrimmage consisted of first-down, third-down and red zone situations. Head coach Tim Rebowe also put the team through special teams drills and the offense/defense took part in a handful of live drives from various starting yard lines.

Nicholls started with red zone plays and the offense found the end zone on the third play of the day as quarterback Chase Fourcade ran up the middle for a 10-yard touchdown. For the rest of the session, the defense did not allow a play longer than six yards, which came on a tough run by Jeremy Rounds to close it out.

The defense controlled the next sessions, highlighted by a few big hits from the secondary. Christian Boutte, Corey Abraham and Ahmani Martin all came up with highlight tackles for the defense. On one of the drives, Aquindas Steib had a tackle in the backfield for a 5-yard loss before Terrell Encalade was credited with a 4-yard sack. The defense had three sacks on the day, including one from Tevin Lawson.

On the short-field drives, Fourcade completed his longest pass of the day to Damion Jeanpiere, Jr. for 17 yards to start the possession. The offense moved the ball to the 5 before Austin Dickerson picked off a pass in the end zone.

Tuskani Figaro led the offense to its second touchdown of the day, rushing once for 11 yards before hitting Dontaze Costly for a 12-yard pass. Donnell Adair completed the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.

On the next possession, Nick Conley hit an open Jason Richard streaking down the sideline for a 38-yard touchdown.

For the final drive of the day, two long passes by Kohen Granier put the offense in the red zone. A 20-yard pass to Morell Bartholomew moved the ball to midfield and Curtis Anderson then caught a pass 20 yards downfield before adding another 16 to place the ball at the 4. But on the final play, a handoff exchange was fumbled and Landon Auzenne came up with the football for the defense.

For special teams, the field goal kickers tried attempts from 32, 39, 35 and 42 yards. Lorran Fonseca converted all four of his attempts, while David McKey drilled his 42-yard try. Jay Jay Smith was able to block one of the tries, knocking down the 39-yard attempt in the backfield. Freshman Bryce Broussard ended the scrimmage with 22-yard field goal.

The Colonels have another full week of camp before their final scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 19 at 4 p.m. at John L. Guidry Stadium. Nicholls opens the season Thursday, Aug. 31 at home against rival McNeese. Tickets for all five home games are available by logging on to geauxcolonels.com or calling the Nicholls Athletics Ticket Office at 985-448-4790.

For the latest news about Colonel football, follow the team on Twitter @Nicholls_FB.