Win at Kansas gives Nicholls sweep of Southland football weekly honors

FRISCO, Texas – Following its win over Big 12 Kansas, the Nicholls State University football team swept the Southland Conference awards for the opening week, the league office announced Monday morning.

Running back Kendall Bussey rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown in his Colonel debut to snag Southland Offensive Player of the Week, while lineman Sully Laiche had four tackles for loss with two sacks to earn the honor for defense. Kicker Lorran Fonseca completed the trifecta, claiming Southland Special Teams Player of the Week after making both of his field goal attempts, highlighted by a 43-yarder to send the game into overtime.

Bussey, a New Orleans native and Texas A&M transfer, was the workhorse for the rushing attack with 28 carries. He accounted for eight of the Colonels’ 17 first downs and broke a 10-all tie in the third quarter with a 40-yard touchdown run untouched up the middle.

Laiche was part of a strong performance by the defensive unit, which featured 11 players with three or more tackles. Nicholls racked up six sacks against Kansas, with Laiche tallying 2.0 for a loss of 14 yards. His first sack of the night helped thwart a potential field goal try before halftime. Laiche totaled five tackles, including four going for loss.

A six-time All-America honoree last year, Fonseca finished 2-for-2 in field goals with 28- and 43-yarders against the Jayhawks. His final one came with 47 seconds remaining in regulation, tying the game at 20-20. He also added four touchbacks on his six kickoffs en route to his third career SLC player of the week.

The Colonels are back in action this weekend (Sept. 9) in New Orleans against Tulane. Nicholls has sold out of its allotment of tickets in sections 115 and 116, but fans are encouraged to purchase seats in sections 117 and 118.