Nicholls rallies then hangs on to beat McNeese 24-19

THIBODAUX, La. -- , Pat McQuaide threw for the go-ahead touchdown and he gave Nicholls a cushion with a fourth-quarter score to help the Colonels defeat McNeese 24-19 on Saturday. McQuaide went over from a yard out with eight minutes remaining to complete a 13-play drive for a 24-13 lead. That touchdown proved vital when Nicholls (4-4, 2-1 Southland Conference) punted into one of its blockers, who was knocked back toward the punter. McNeese recovered at the Colonels' 28 and went on to score on Bryce Strong 's 2-yard run to cut the lead to five with under three minutes left. Nicholls was forced to punt, giving McNeese the ball at its 21-yard line with 20 seconds left. Kamden Sixkiller 's pass was intercepted and the Colonels ran out the clock.