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Nicholls State Stuns Rice 16-14 |
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By Jude Young
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Sunday, September 02 2007 |
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HOUSTON (AP) — It wasn't Appalacian State beating Michigan, but the Colonels pulled a huge upset. A blocked punt that went through the end zone for a safety gave Nicholls State a 16-14 win over Rice on Saturday in the first game for new Owls coach David Bailiff.
Will Norris blocked a Luke Juist punt through the end zone midway through the fourth quarter for the game-winning safety for Nicholls State, a member of the Southland Conference in the Football Championship Subdivision, formerly known as Division I-AA.
The Colonels held Rice's offense to 218 yards and kept wide receiver Jarrett Dillard from scoring a touchdown for the first time in 16 games, a streak dating to 2005.
Rice quarterback Chase Clement completed 11-of-28 passes for 108 yards. He was sacked twice and intercepted three times, including one returned 32 yards for a touchdown by Ladarius Webb late in the second quarter.
The game was delayed twice by bad weather for a total of about two hours.
The Owls played in a bowl game last season on the strength of an explosive offense, but the Conference USA squad had no answers for Nicholls State's defense.
Bailiff, who spent the last three seasons at Texas State, replaced Todd Graham, who left in the offseason to take over Tulsa's program. |
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