Nobody expected it. Honestly, if you were looking at the spread before the West Georgia vs Nicholls game on September 6, 2025, you probably thought the Wolves were in for a long night in Thibodaux. The oddsmakers had Nicholls as a 6.5-point favorite. The Colonels were ranked 22nd in the country. They were at home at John L. Guidry Stadium. Everything pointed toward a routine home win for the established Southland power.
Then the game started.
By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the scoreboard looked like a typo. West Georgia, a program still technically introducing itself to the Division I FCS world, didn't just win. They dismantled a ranked opponent on the road. The final score of 34-10 doesn't even tell the whole story of how dominant the Wolves' ground game was that evening.
The Night the Wolves Ran Wild
It was hot. 86 degrees at kickoff. You'd think the Louisiana humidity would favor the home team, but West Georgia brought a physical running game that simply sucked the air out of the stadium.
Basically, the Wolves decided they didn't need to throw the ball much. Quarterback Davin Wydner finished with only 63 passing yards. Usually, in modern football, if your QB throws for 63 yards and two interceptions, you lose by thirty. But West Georgia is a different kind of animal under Joel Taylor. They ran the ball 63 times. Sixty-three! That's almost unheard of in today's era of spread offenses and air-raid schemes.
Latrelle Murrell was the star of the show. He carved through the Nicholls defense for 170 rushing yards on 29 carries. It felt like every time the Colonels needed a stop, Murrell would find a crease and fall forward for six yards. When he wasn't doing the damage, TJ Lester was punching it in. Lester had two rushing touchdowns that essentially put the game out of reach by the early fourth quarter.
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The disparity in time of possession was almost comical:
- West Georgia: 38:41
- Nicholls: 21:19
You can't win football games when you don't have the ball. Nicholls' defense was gassed by the third quarter. They were stuck on the field for nearly 40 minutes, trying to stop a sledgehammer of a run game that refused to quit.
Why This West Georgia vs Nicholls Game Changed the Narrative
For those who don't follow the nitty-gritty of conference realignments, West Georgia's jump to Division I was a big deal. They joined the United Athletic Conference (UAC) after decades of being a powerhouse in the Division II Gulf South Conference. Usually, when a team moves up, they spend a few years getting bullied by the established DI programs.
This win over Nicholls proved the Wolves aren't here to be anyone's "buy game."
Nicholls isn't a slouch. They had just beaten a top-five Incarnate Word team and nearly knocked off an FBS opponent in Troy the week prior. They were legit. But West Georgia’s defense held them to just 66 rushing yards. Deuce Hogan, the Nicholls QB, was under fire all night. Even though he threw for more yards than Wydner, most of it came in "garbage time" when the game was already decided.
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The Defensive Masterclass
The Wolves’ defense is currently coached by guys who clearly value "old school" toughness. They didn't allow a single touchdown until there were less than nine minutes left in the game. By that point, West Georgia had already built a 34-3 lead.
One of the most telling stats from the game was the 3rd down efficiency.
- West Georgia went 12-for-18 on 3rd downs.
- Nicholls went a dismal 2-for-13.
That's the game right there. When the Wolves needed to keep a drive alive, they did it. When Nicholls needed to move the chains to give their defense a breather, they went three-and-out.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
There’s this misconception that Nicholls just had a "bad day." Sure, every team has off nights, but this was a systematic breakdown. People assume because West Georgia is the "new kid" in the FCS, they don't have the depth to compete with the Southland Conference elite.
What the box score shows is a gap in physicality. West Georgia out-gained Nicholls 405 to 180 in total yards. You don't accidentally double someone's yardage because of "luck" or "home-field jitters." The Wolves' offensive line, led by some massive transfers and veteran holdovers, simply pushed the Colonels' front seven around for four quarters.
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It's also worth noting the special teams play. Simon Zeidan and Tyler Simpson were perfect on field goals, including a 46-yarder from Simpson that felt like a dagger. In a game where every possession matters, having a reliable kicking game is a luxury many FCS teams don't have.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for 2026 and Beyond
West Georgia is on an accelerated path. They recently notified the NCAA that they want to be full-fledged Division I members by the fall of 2027, moving up their timeline. Games like the West Georgia vs Nicholls matchup are the blueprint for how they plan to get there.
If you’re a fan or a bettor looking at future matchups between these two, keep an eye on the style of play. Nicholls usually relies on a balanced attack, but they struggled when forced to be one-dimensional. West Georgia, meanwhile, has found an identity: run the ball, control the clock, and play violent defense.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're following these programs, here is what you need to watch for in the coming months:
- Watch the Transfer Portal: West Georgia is recruiting like a top-tier FCS program. Their ability to pull talent from the FBS level is why they look so physically ready for DI.
- Nicholls’ Bounce Back: The Colonels are still a powerhouse in the Southland. Don't write them off because of one bad game, but do question their run defense against power-run schemes.
- The UAC vs. Southland Rivalry: While not an official "challenge," these inter-conference games are how the committee decides playoff seeding. West Georgia just put the UAC on their back with this win.
- Keep an eye on Davin Wydner: He didn't have to do much with his arm in this specific game, but his decision-making (despite the two picks) was enough to manage the game. If he develops a vertical threat, this team becomes scary.
The 34-10 score will stay in the record books, but the memory of the Wolves physically dominating a ranked opponent on a humid night in Thibodaux will linger much longer. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. West Georgia has arrived, and they didn't ask for permission.
Keep an eye on the Wolves' remaining schedule, especially as they head into the heart of UAC play. The blueprint they used against Nicholls—dominating the line of scrimmage—is exactly what they'll need to replicate to stay at the top of the standings. If you’re planning to attend a game at University Stadium in Carrollton, expect a loud, energized crowd that now knows their team can hang with anyone in the country. This transition period is proving to be much shorter than anyone anticipated.