Texas State Dominates Nicholls 35-3 in Rivalry Showdown

Texas State University claimed a decisive victory over Nicholls State University, winning 35-3 in the annual Battle for the Paddle rivalry held in San Marcos, Texas. Quarterback Brad Jackson was instrumental in the win, passing for 180 yards and scoring two rushing touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities on the field.

Alongside Jackson, Texas State’s offense was bolstered by strong performances from Lincoln Pare, Torranc Burgess Jr., and Greg Burrell, all of whom contributed rushing touchdowns. Pare emerged as the game’s leading rusher, accumulating 64 yards on 11 carries. In the receiving game, Kylen Evans made four receptions, totaling a game-high 88 yards.

The victory marks Texas State’s third consecutive win against Nicholls, extending their lead in the all-time series to 17-15. This matchup was particularly significant as it was the first meeting between the teams since 2019 and only the second since 2011, highlighting the historic nature of this rivalry. Texas State has now won all three encounters since their transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in 2013.

For Nicholls, quarterback Deuce Hogan completed 15 of 21 passes for 97 yards but struggled against the Texas State defense, which forced an interception. Despite the setback, Nicholls remains competitive in the Southland Conference, currently holding a record of 1-3 overall and 1-0 in conference play.

As Texas State improves to 3-1 on the season, they will enjoy a week off before facing Arkansas State on October 4, 2023, as they begin their Sun Belt Conference schedule. The team will seek to build on this momentum as they move deeper into the season, aiming for a strong performance in their upcoming games.