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Four straight touchdowns by the Nicholls State University football team proved to be more than enough against rival Northwestern State, as the Colonels returned home following a two-game road trip with a 42-21 victory over the Demons Saturday afternoon on Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium.

The rivals were knotted at 14-14 with only a few minutes until halftime before the Colonels found the endzone twice on a pair of Lindsey Scott Jr. touchdown passes. Collin Guggenheim, who logged his first career start at running back, added two third-quarter TDs before Northwestern State (1-7, 1-4 SLC) scored in the final seconds of the game.

Nicholls (4-4, 3-2 SLC) climbed back to .500 on the season with the help of 564 yards of total offense. The majority came on the ground as quarterback Scott Jr. had another milestone day, rushing for 117 yards for his school record sixth 100-yard game this season. Guggenheim finished with a career-high 158 yards on 22 carries to go along with his two scores. It was the second consecutive 100-yard game for Guggenheim, who has stepped up due to a depleted backfield.

The Colonels not only produced on the scoreboard, but controlled the clock with their running game that totaled 300 yards on the day. Nicholls held the ball for more than 34 minutes and racked up 34 first downs. With Guggenheim and Scott’s performances, Nicholls has had 11 100-yard game outings this season.

The defense also did it part by allowing 345 yards to Northwestern State, with 130 coming in its final two drives. The unit totaled six tackles for loss which included three sacks. Hayden Shaheen led the way with two TFLs, one sack, and had an interception in the second half.

Nicholls started a bit slow, turning the ball over in the endzone early for the second straight week. But after three combined punts between the squads, Scott Jr. found an open Dontaze Costly for a 38-yard touchdown and the early lead.

The Demons answered with one of their best drives of the day, scoring on a 3-yard rush by Zach Clement who had a solid outing with 210 yards passing, 82 on the ground and three total touchdowns.

Scott put Nicholls back ahead with lone rushing TD of the game, however, Demon Jay Griffin torched the Colonel defense for a 67-yard score to even it back up at 14-14.

K.J. Franklin ended the half with two key receptions. First, his 40-yarder set up a 13-yard touchdown catch by Devonta Jason with two minutes remaining. Then after Nicholls forced a three-and-out, Franklin got open for a 28-yarder that put Nicholls inside the NSU 30. Three plays later, Scott connected with Dai’Jean Dixon for a 16-yard touchdown to double the lead. Franklin led the Colonel receivers with 99 yards on six receptions.

In the second half, the defense continued to cruise while the offense added to the lead. Guggenheim’s first score was on a 3-yard carry and then on the next drive, which took up over six minutes off the clock, he toted the ball five times and capped it with a 2-yard touchdown.