Incarnate Word Cardinals at Nicholls Colonels
· NCAA - Football
Ty Marsh's pick-6 highlights big defensive effort and Nicholls dumps Incarnate Word in FCS opener
Not only was the matchup the first FCS game of the season, it was the first Division I game played in the United States. Nicholls prevailed in a clash between the two teams that have won six of the past seven Southland Conference championships.
UIW, ranked No. 4 in the preseason coaches poll, is the defending conference champion after going 7-0 in 2024.
The Cardinals have won three of the last four conference championships (2021, 2022 and 2024), with the exception being Nicholls' championship in 2023. Nicholls also won in 2018 and 2019. Rybacki was the Colonels' defensive coordinator for all three conference championships.
Late in the second quarter, Richard Torres pass intended for Timothy Carter. As the ball caromed into the air, Marsh hauled it in and raced untouched the last 29 yards for a 13-3 lead.
UIW drove deep into Nicholls territory early in the fourth quarter, but Anthony Rodgers intercepted a Torres pass near the goal line. Six plays later, Deuce Hogan hit Karaaz Johnson for a 55-yard touchdown and a 20-6 lead.
Hogan completed 21 of 35 passes for 221 yards and the touchdown to Johnson, who had two catches for 58 yards.
Torres was 23-for-35 passing for 175 yards and was intercepted three times.
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How To Watch
How can I watch Incarnate Word Cardinals vs. Nicholls Colonels?
- TV Channel: Cardinals at Colonels 2021 College Football, week 1, is broadcasted on ESPN2.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Scoring Summary
 |
FG | 1st Period 11:07 | Will Faris 24 Yd Field Goal |
 |
FG | 1st Period 0:48 | Gabriel Showalter 38 Yd Field Goal |
|
TD | 1st Period 0:38 | Ty Marsh 29 Yd Interception Return (Gabriel Showalter Kick) |
|
FG | 2nd Period 11:57 | Gabriel Showalter 43 Yd Field Goal |
|
FG | 3rd Period 10:30 | Will Faris 24 Yd Field Goal |
|
TD | 4th Period 9:26 | Karaaz Johnson 55 Yd pass from Deuce Hogan (Gabriel Showalter Kick) |
Statistics
 UIW |
 NICH |
|
|---|---|---|
| 15 | 1st Downs | 14 |
| 3-16 | 3rd down efficiency | 5-17 |
| 2-3 | 4th down efficiency | 0-0 |
| 204 | Total Yards | 287 |
| 188 | Passing | 221 |
| 24/36 | Comp/Att | 21/36 |
| 5.2 | Yards per pass | 6.1 |
| 16 | Rushing | 66 |
| 33 | Rushing Attempts | 29 |
| 0.5 | Yards per rush | 2.3 |
| 9-55 | Penalties | 3-25 |
| 4 | Turnovers | 1 |
| 1 | Fumbles lost | 1 |
| 3 | Interceptions thrown | 0 |
| 29:29 | Possession | 30:31 |
Game Information
Location: Thibodaux, LA
Attendance: 8,779 · Capacity:
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