FRANKLIN, Mass. (9/9/23) – Behind 565 yards of total offense, the Nichols College football team ran away with their first win of the season, as they topped Dean College 70-7 on a rainy Saturday evening from Franklin High School.
After nearly an hour delay due to weather in the area, the Bison took the field to face off against the Dean College Bulldogs in a rematch from a year ago that saw both teams total 126 points in a 71-55 win for Nichols. The offense did not stop for the Bison as the Bulldogs had no answers for the Bison.
Nichols posted their largest margin of victory in program history (63 points), with the 70-7 win, breaking the old record from 2000, when they beat Mass. Maritime 65-7 (58 points). With the win, it is the second most points scored in program history, behind last year's 71 points.
The Bison rushing attack led the way offensively, with seniors Archie Killian and Zahir Booker combining for 252 rushing yards five touchdowns. Junior running back Tiago Fernandes scored a rushing touchdown and receiving touchdown. Senior Xavier Powell went 10-12 for 140 yards and three passing touchdowns. He also scampered into the endzone for a rushing touchdown himself.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Bison defense also dominated, shutting out the Bulldogs for three quarters. Nichols' defense forced a fumble and an interception, while keeping the Bulldogs to 153 yards of total offense. Senior Joshua Sayer led the defense in tackles, including five solo and two tackles for loss.
The Bison opened the scoring with just under 10 minutes to play in the opening quarter. Both teams each had a drive and neither team could get their offenses started. Nichols took over from their own 48-yard line to start the drive. Powell led the Bison down the field on four plays and found junior Jack Morvan for the opening score.
Nichols doubled their lead less than two minutes later when Powell raced into the endzone on a quarterback keeper for a 14-0 Bison lead. Both Booker and Powell each found the endzone as well in the quarter and gave Nichols a 28-0 lead after the first quarter. Nichols scored the 28 points in an 8:10 span to grab control of the game.
The second quarter was more of the same from the Bison. Powell hooked up with senior Topher Ryan on a 15-yard strike, for his first touchdown of the season. Booker found the endzone for the second time on the night to give the Bison a 42-0 lead. As time expired in the second quarter, Powell threw his third touchdown pass of the evening when he connected to Fernandes. The Bison went into the half with a 49-0 lead.
Fernandes added to his evening with a 13-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter, extending the led to 56-0. Booker found the endzone for the third time and his longest carry of the game with a 67-yard run for a 63-0 lead.
Nichols would find the endzone one more time, thanks to Killian's two-yard scamper into the endzone, after the Bulldogs scored their first touchdown.
Sophomore kicker Colby Bernier was a perfect 7-7 on extra points this evening as well. The Bison were a perfect 2-2 on fourth down and went 6-9 on third down. Six different receivers caught a pass in the game, while 12 members of the defense recorded at least two tackles.
The Bison (1-1) will continue their road trip as they travel to New London, Conn., to take on the Coast Guard Academy on Saturday, September 16. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. from Cadet Memorial Field.
Bison Run Past Bulldogs, 70-7
/seasons/2023/boxscores/20230909_dcy3.xml
2023
Nichols
70
Dean
7
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nichols (1-1) | 28 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 70 |
| Dean (1-1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
Sep 09, 2023