Colonels conclude fall camp with scrimmage

The Nicholls State University football team finished fall camp Saturday morning with its final intersquad scrimmage of the fall, and much like the last scrimmage, the defense had a strong showing, limiting the offense to 248 yards while racking up eight sacks and one interception.
The defense allowed just 60 yards on the ground on 31 carries, helped by a large amount of sack yardage. Defensive lineman Cole Frazier made a living in the backfield all day, leading the team with two credited sacks.
Linebacker Seth Keller had the lone turnover for the defense, intercepting a Tuskani Figaro pass in the scrimmage’s first series, and linebacker Ronnie Walker led the team with six tackles.
The Colonel quarterbacks combined for 188 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-36 attempts. Beaux Hebert paced the offense, completing 8-of-11 passes for 83 yards and both scores. Figaro was 7-of-14 for 57 yards, while Kalen Henderson went 3-of-9 for 28 yards and Dash Duncan completed both of his passes for a total of 20 yards. Hebert also led the team in rushing, accounting for 21 yards on six carries.
While most of the scrimmage featured the same scripted format, a new wrinkle was added Saturday with the team conducting six drives — three starting from the home 25-yard line and three from the visitor 25-yard line.
In the first three drives, the defense allowed just one first down, and Keller’s pick set the tone early as his stepped in front of a pass on third-and-long.
With Henderson under center, wide receiver Keenan Canty moved the chains with a 16-yard run on an end around, but the defense held firm to allow just four yards in the next three plays.
In Hebert’s series, a fumbled snap and a sack by linebacker John Williamson forced a three-and-out.
In the first-and-10 situations, Figaro picked up two first downs in his four plays, rushing for 17 yards and completing a 13-yard pass to Darryl Watson II.
But for the rest of the drill, the defense recorded two more sacks and did not allow a play to go for longer than six yards.
Tight end Nick Scelfo looked to have made a highlight catch for a 24-yard gain from Figaro, but the offense was flagged for an illegal man downfield.
For the drives starting just outside the redzone at the 25, a Frazier sack on second down put the offense in a bind; however, a perfectly timed screen was called on a third down blitz as Henderson dumped off a pass to Reggie Wilson for a 22-yard gain.
On the next play, Tobias Lofton ran through the left side for a 5-yard touchdown.
Hebert wasted no time scoring another touchdown for the offense, hitting a wide open Xavier Marcus down the right sideline for a 25-yard touchdown.
Hebert started another series from the 25; this time T.J. Scott punched it in from two yards out. In Figaro’s series, the offense picked up a first down but settled for a 26-yard field goal by David McKey.
In the third play of the red zone situation, Hebert recorded his second touchdown pass after hitting Wilson wide open for an 18-yard score.
With Henderson at quarterback for the final series, Jake Myer and Gus Ferrat each picked up sacks.
At the end of each series, the Colonel kickers attempted field goals, combining to go 5-for-5 on the day. Francisco Condado made 39 and 30-yarders, while Conner Fryoux was good from 25 and 35 yards.
For the final portion of the scrimmage, Hebert and Canty hooked up for a 23-yard pass in the third down situations.
In the last two series, Chris Lorden picked up a 12-yard sack and Tyren Hills prevented a big play by breaking up a deep pass to Canty.
The Colonels now will focus on preparing for their season opener Aug. 30 at Air Force. The game will kick off at 1 p.m. and will be streamed live on ESPN3.