Louisiana’s Division-I college football programs suffered
Grambling State, Nicholls State and Southeastern Louisiana provided the bright spots on a 3-7 week overall on which a 49-25 LSU loss to Texas A&M headlined a tough Saturday overall.
GSU ESCAPES JSU IN VEGAS DESPITE TEASETT INJURY
Grambling State quarterback C’Zavian “Zae” Teasett was knocked out the game Saturday following a hard hit on a third-down run that helped set up a game-winning field goal.
Freshman Amyne Darensbourg (John F. Kennedy) carried the torch with two more first downs before Josh McCormick‘s 44-yard kick downed Jackson State, 25-24, in Las Vegas.
But the scary moment and continued concern for Teasett, the former Scotlandville star, significantly dampened the day.
“When you lose him to injury like this, it hurts you,” coach Mickey Joseph told reporters, according to The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, Miss.). “It’s a bittersweet win. We would trade it for a healthy (Teasett).”
Teasett finished 16-for-26 (61.5%) for 232 yards and two touchdowns and rushed eight times for 15 yards and another score to help lead his Tigers back from a 10-0 deficit with 23 unanswered points.
Senior tight end Covadis Knighten, another former Scotlandville standout, caught five passes for 96 yards and 59-yard score, and sophomore Andrew Frazier (Pineville) had a 26-yard touchdown catch.
Senior cornerback Blake Davis and junior safety Cisco Caston finished with nine and eight tackles, respectively, and graduate defensive end Warren Robinson‘s 1.5 sacks led a two-sack and four-TFL day.
NICHOLLS TOPS MCNEESE IN IN-STATE BATTLE
Nicholls State (2-6, 2-2) finally ended its five-game skid on the season with a 31-7 defeat of McNeese State (2-6, 1-3) to extend its streak against its in-state Southland Conference rival to five wins.
The Colonels jumped on the Cowboys early with 10 points in the first quarter and then shut them out after halftime to pull away for their biggest win in the series since 1986.
Former Thibodaux standout Ean Rodrigue, earning his first start for an injured Deuce Hogan, completed 12 of his 20 passes (60.0%) for 161 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown to Karaaz Johnson (St. Augustine), and rushed 12 times for 77 yards and another score.
Sophomore running back Miequle Brock Jr. led the rushing attack with 104 yards on 17 carries, and Johnson’s two catches for 74 yards topped the receivers.
Junior linebacker Jake Dalmado, the former Archbishop Hannan star, led the defense with 10 tackles, and senior defensive backs Ty Marsh and Laurence Sullivan Jr. each intercepted passes.
SOUTHEASTERN REMAINS ATOP SOUTHLAND HUNT
Southeastern Louisiana (6-2, 4-0) rolled its way past Houston Christian (2-6, 1-3) for a 38-14 victory, its fourth straight to open Southland Conference play.
The Lions remain tied atop the league standings with Lamar (7-1, 4-0) and Stephen F. Austin (6-2, 4-0).
Coach Frank Scelfo’s squad traded early scores with the Huskies for a 14-7 lead at the break, but before dominating the second half, 24-7.
Quarterback Carson Camp finished 12-for-15 for 169 yards, a touchdown — a 14-yard throw to tight end Cade Collier — and two interceptions.
Former Louisiana high school standouts once again led Southeastern Louisiana’s rushing and receiving efforts with Deantre Jackson (Edna Karr) carrying 13 times for 64 yards and a score, Calvin “C.J.” Smith Jr. carrying nine times for 45 yards and two touchdowns and Jaylon Domingeaux (Comeaux) catches three passes for 87 yards.
Senior linebacker K.K. Reno (Catholic-New Iberia) led the defense with 10 tackles, including 1.5 for loss and 0.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
And senior wide receiver Brandon Hayes returned three kicks for 155 yards, including an 85-yard touchdown.