North Texas Rolls Past Colonels, 77-3

Harry · September 21, 2014

DENTON, Texas – In their first meeting since 2002, North Texas proved not much has changed as the Mean Green remained undefeated in the series against Nicholls with a 77-3 victory on Saturday at Apogee Stadium.

The Colonles (0-4) have lost 10 consecutive games dating back to last season and fall to 0-6 all-time against North Texas (2-2). The loss was also the first under interim head coach Steve Axman, who took over the reins on Tuesday.

The game was never in doubt as North Texas jumped out to a 21-0 lead after just five minutes. The Colonels managed a field goal in the first quarter, but the Mean Green broke open the game with four touchdowns in the second.

The second half was much of the same as the Colonels had no answer for the Mean Green in any facet of the game. Along with 526 yards of offense for North Texas, the former Southland Conference member scored on defense and special teams while keeping the Colonels off the scoreboard.

Nicholls was held to 244 yards on offense and 14 first downs. Running back Michael Henry led the offense, rushing for 95 yards on 19 carries. Under center, Kalen Henderson played the first half, throwing for 50 yards on 7 of 15 passes with two interceptions. Henderson was under duress the whole 30 minutes, resulting in six sacks. Beaux Hebert played the second half, finishing with 116 yards passing on 10 of 16 passes.

Demon Bolt led the receivers with 38 yards on four receptions while Keenan Canty also had four grabs for 36 yards.

In the game, North Texas took the opening kickoff and needed just five plays to take a 7-0 lead. Quarterback Dajon Williams, who accounted for five touchdowns, ran in from eight yards for the first score, and following a pick on Henderson's first pass, Williams found a wide open Carlos Harris for a 41-yard touchdown. The Mean Green then received great field position after blocking a Colonel punt and it led to a Reggie Pegram 1-yard touchdown run.

Trailing 21-0, Nicholls put together its best drive of the day, going 69 yards on 13 plays. Fueled by a 36-yard run by Henry, the Colonels moved inside the 5-yard line, but had to settle for a 23-yard field goal by Francisco Condado with 5:03 on the clock.

In the second quarter, following another touchdown run by Williams that made the score 28-3, James Jones stepped in front of a Henderson pass for an interception and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown. North Texas then scored two more touchdowns in the quarter, both on passes by Williams, to lead 49-3 at half time.

After the break, Nicholls was forced to punt on their first drive, and Darvin Kidsy ran it back for a 75-yard touchdown. North Texas continued to pour it on, rushing for two more touchdowns in the quarter.

The Mean Green capped the dominating performance with a 98-yard interception return for a touchdown by Zac Whitfield early in the fourth.

B.T. Sanders led the Colonel defense with nine tackles, while Josh Dewey and Davin Bovie had five tackles each.

The Colonels will open up conference play next Saturday as they head to Conway, Ark. to face Central Arkansas. Kickoff at "The Stripes" is scheduled for 3 p.m.