Sept. 14, 2002

Final Stats

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - (AP) Quarterback Josh Son scored two touchdowns and passed for another to lead Nicholls State (2-1) to a 45-17 win over Samford University (1-2) in Division I-AA football Saturday night.

Son scored on runs of 12 and four yards in the first quarter and passed 43 yards to Vince Butler for another score with less than three minutes gone in the second quarter to help Nicholls State jump to a 28-10 halftime lead.

Son set up his four-yard scoring run with a 60-yard dash to Samford's seven-yard line. The 6-2 junior also set Nicholls State's fourth touchdown, passing 47 yards to tight end Anthony Baldwin to set up Phillip Brock's nine-yard scoring run with 7:10 left in the first half.

Jason Ogletree scored on a two-yard run and Chip Walters kicked a 19-yard field goal for Samford's first-half scoring.

James Wilcox kicked a 45-yard field goal as Nicholls State upped its lead to 31-10 early in the third quarter. Wilcox also kicked six extra points on the night.

Samford drove 77 yards in 14 plays to Fred Gilliam's five-yard scoring run late in the third period. Walters added his second extra point of the night to make the score 31-17, Nicholls State.

Yale Vannoy scored on a two-yard run and Brian Thomas on a four-yard scamper for Nicholls State in the fourth quarter.

Nicholls State ran its triple option offense for 287 yards rushing, going to the air only four times and completing three for 97 yards. The Colonels made 20 first downs. Son finished the night with 66 yards in eight carries and Brock totaled 59 in five tries.

Samford totaled 295 yards of offense with 17 first downs. Ogletree rushed 67 yards in 17 carries and quarterback Josh Kellett completed 12 of 28 passes for 147 yards for Samford. Bulldog receiver Aryvia Holmes caught eight for 81 yards.