Cowboys lose third game in a row after narrow loss to Nicholls

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – The McNeese Cowboys traveled to Thibodaux, Louisiana to take on the Nicholls Colonels and lost a close game 24-19.

The game started a bit rocky for the Pokes. Quarterback Kamden Sixkiller was sacked for a safety by Jake Dalmado in the end zone, giving the Colonels an early 2-0 lead.

McNeese would get on the board later in the first quarter. They got kicker Tyler Larco into field goal range and he made a 47-yard attempt to give the Cowboys their first lead of the day.

In the second quarter, McNeese scored his first touchdown of the day when Sixkiller passed the ball to Joshon Barbie and he did the rest, running 69 yards to the end zone to extend the Cowboys’ lead to eight.

In the final four minutes of the half, the Cowboys gave up their lead as Nicholls managed two touchdown drives. The first touchdown came on a 66-yard run by Miequle Brock. Just a few minutes later, quarterback Pat McQuaide caught Collin Guggenheim from 39 yards out, giving Nicholls a 14-10 lead at the end of the first half.

In the second half, the Nicholls extended their lead in the third quarter by hitting a field goal from 41 yards out. This field goal would be the only point scored in the quarter.

In the fourth period, McNeese would make things interesting as another field goal from Larco brought them within four points.

The Colonels responded with a touchdown drive as McQuaide shot straight into the end zone, bringing Nicholls to 11 points.

With little time left, the Cowboys pulled off a crucial seven-play drive as Bryce Strong scored a touchdown to bring the Pokes within one touchdown.

With 27 seconds left in the game, McNeese got the ball back with another chance, but the ball was ripped out of Jer’Michael Carter’s hands after a reception by Eli Ennis, sealing the win for Nicholls.

McNeese will have its next chance to end its now three-game losing streak at home next Saturday with a game against Texas A&M-Commerce.

Copyright 2024 KPLC. All rights reserved.