Nicholls State weathered the storm for Fourcade

On Saturday, Oct. 15, Nicholls State University snapped an eight-game losing streak at the hands of Stephen F. Austin. A big reason why? A snowstorm.
 
Last January, the University of Maryland made a big push to sign Archbishop Rummel quarterback Chase Fourcade. After visiting College Park, Fourcade decided to remain firm in his commitment to Nicholls State.
 
Fourcade’s uncle, John, the former Saints quarterback, said after days of snow, his nephew was ready to come home. “I don’t think he was happy seeing that,” John said.
 
In a double-overtime win over Stephen F. Austin, Fourcade accounted for 254 yards of offense and four touchdowns. He threw a touchdown pass in the first overtime and ran for another in the second OT.
 
“He doesn’t look like a freshman,” Uncle John said.
 
He should know. John started as a 14-year-old freshman quarterback at Archbishop Shaw and as a freshman at Ole Miss.
 
Ironically, John and Chase both made headlines against the University of Georgia. John ran for 37 yards on the option on his first collegiate rushing attempt.
 
Chase threw two touchdown passes as the Colonels came within a whisker of a giant road upset, falling 26-24 to the Bulldogs in Athens.
 
John could tell early on that Chase was a natural thrower. “At 8 or 9 years old, you could see it,” he said. “Chase just had that natural throwing motion. He has always been a much better passer than I was.”
 
John said much of the credit to the quarterback’s development should go to his father Keith. He said Keith worked diligently with his son in playground football. That work has paid off.
 
And, so has the quarterback’s mental toughness.
 
“He really does want the ball in his hands with the game on the line,” John said. “I watch him on the sidelines interact with junior and seniors. They talk to him. They respond to him.”
 
The win over Stephen F. Austin was the Colonels’ third in four Southland Conference games.
 
Fourcade’s high school coach Jay Roth is not surprised.
 
“Chase was 46-6 here as a starter,” said Roth. “And he was never hurt.”
 
On a trip to Athens, Georgia, Fourcade earned more admirers, including former Bulldog legendary quarterback Buck Belue.
 
“Buck told me before the game that he thought they would win by anywhere from 25 to 35 points,” John said.
 
The Dogs got quite a scare. And, a winter storm on the East Coast should at least get some of the credit.
 
Ed Daniels is sports director of ABC26 WGNO. He can be reached at [email protected].