The Kansas Jayhawks hosted the Nicholls State Colonels in the season opener on Saturday, September 1. Although the University of Kansas only won 1 game last season, they were still favored to beat Nicholls. The Colonels took an early lead on a 15 yard touchdown run from running back Dontrell Taylor in the first quarter. Late in the first, the Jayhawks tied the game with a touchdown 2 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Peyton Bender to wide receiver Stephen Sims Jr. In the second quarter, Kansas kicked a 54 yard field goal to take a 10-7 lead. Nicholls State kicked a 28 yard field goal with a 4:06 remaining in the first half to tie the game. The first half ended with a tied score of 10-10. Kendall Bussey, who transferred to Nicholls from Texas A&M this offseason, scored a 40 yard running touchdown late in the third quarter to give the Colonels a 17-10 lead. The Colonels fumbled the ball on 4th and 4 on a play that resulted in a safety. Peyton Bender threw to Kerr Johnson Jr. for 15 yard touchdown. Kansas converted their 2-point conversion attempt, and they took 20-17 lead with only 4:26 remaining in the fourth quarter. Colonels kicker Lorran Fonseca made a 43 yard game tying field goal with 47 second left in the game. The Jayhawks were not able to score, and the game went to overtime. Kansas had the first drive in overtime and scored a 41 yard field. On 2nd and goal down 23-20, Nicholls quarterback Chase Fourcade ran for a 4 yard touchdown to give the Colonels the win.
This is Nicholls’ first win against a team from a Power Five Conference. (SEC, ACC, Big 12, Pac 12, and Big 10) Two years ago, the Colonels lost to the Georgia Bulldogs, who lost to the Alabama Crimson Tide this year in the CFP National Championship Game, 26-24. The Colonels lost two weeks later to South Alabama 41-40 on a missed 2-point conversion attempt overtime. Last season, Nicholls lost to Texas A&M 24 -14. The Nicholls State Colonels, after coming up shy three times to FBS schools in the last two seasons, upset the Kansas Jayhawks in Kansas and start the season with a 1-0 record. The next FBS school Nicholls will play is the Tulane Green Wave next week.
