LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - A blocked field goal return for a touchdown and a 41-yard interception return for a TD helped propel Louisiana-Lafayette to a 38-21 victory over Nicholls State Saturday night. What began as a 14-14 first-quarter shootout changed midway through the second quarter, when Melvin White returned a blocked field goal 68 yards to give the Ragin' Cajuns (2-1) the lead for good, 21-14.
Early in the third quarter, Dwight Bentley intercepted a LaQuint Caston pass and raced 41 yards to score. Caston's two touchdown passes helped keep Nicholls State (1-2) in the game, drawing the Colonels within 28-21 late in the third quarter. He finished with 100 yards passing.
But Brett Baer's 49-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter gave Louisiana-Lafayette a 10-point cushion. Blaine Gautier, the backup quarterback, came off the bench and hit Javone Lawson for a 60-yard touchdown pass to clinch it.
