Sams leads McNeese State to 37-7 win over Nicholls

THIBODAUX, La. (AP) Daniel Sams threw for 140 yards and one touchdown and ran for 89 yards and another score as McNeese State rolled over Nicholls 37-7 on Saturday.

Sams, who has totaled 647 passing yards and 346 rushing yards through four games, completed a 34-yard scoring pass to Tavarious Battiste with 8:25 remaining in the first quarter. McNeese State (4-0, 3-0 Southland Conference) was ahead 27-0 before Nicholls (0-4, 0-2) scored when Tuskani Figaro hit Damion Jeanpiere on a 52-yard scoring strike with 27 seconds left in the first half.

The McNeese State defense, which has blanked opponents in 13 of 16 quarters this season, has only allowed 27 points through the first four games, the least since the 1979 team allowed 26.

Kent Shelby caught three passes for 73 yards and one score and Battiste grabbed three for 46 yards and a touchdown.