McNeese State defeats Nicholls State 26-17

LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) Andre Anderson scored two touchdowns in McNeese State's 26-17 win over Nicholls State on Saturday.

Anderson capped off McNeese State's 13-play, 82-yard opening drive with a 4-yard touchdown run. He then scored again, this time from 3 yards out, on McNeese State's opening drive of the third quarter to help the Cowboys retake the lead, 14-10.

Cody Stroud connected with Kegan Myers later in the quarter to give McNeese State (4-5, 3-3 Southland Conference) a 24-10 lead.

Nicholls State (1-8, 0-5) attempted to rally, drawing within seven points with only 1:56 to play, but Everett Ellefsen sacked LaQuintin Caston in the end zone on the Colonels' final possession.

Caston paced Nicholls State, throwing for 92 yards on 14-of-21 passing and added 129 rushing yards on 27 carries.

The win snaps a four-game McNeese State losing streak and improves the Cowboys series record to 25-11.

Updated November 5, 2011