MONROE, La. – The ULM Warhawks put together a 30-point second quarter to pull away from the Nicholls State University football team as the Colonels fell in their season opener, 47-0, Saturday night at Malone Stadium.
 
The loss spoiled the debut of Nicholls head coach Tim Rebowe and pushed the Colonels' overall losing streak to 19 games. ULM (1-1), which plays at the FBS level, improved its all-time record to 23-3 against the Colonels and has won the last nine meetings. Saturday night's matchup was the first contest between the instate schools since 2000.
 
Nicholls was limited to 260 yards on offense and gave up 593 yards. Michael Henry had a solid first half for the Colonels, rushing for 74 yards on 11 carries. He added four more carries after the break, finishing with 77 yards. Tuskani Figaro got the start under center, passing for 101 yards on 10 of 17.
 
ULM set the tone early by scoring on its first two drives. Following a field goal on the game's opening drive, the Warhawks took a 10-0 lead after Devontae McNeal scored on a 3-yard touchdown. Nicholls went three-and-out in each of its first three drives in the quarter.
 
The Warhawks broke open the game in the second quarter, led by quarterback Garrett Smith who accounted four all four touchdowns in the stanza. Smith started the scoring with a 10-yard touchdown run and followed up with his first of three passing TDs before the half with a 13-yard strike to Ajalen Holley. Holley had a big night for ULM, catching eight balls for 155 yards.
 
Down 24-0, Nicholls pieced together a 9-play, 57-yard drive, but came up empty on the scoreboard. On a 4th-and-3 from the ULM 24, Rebowe elected to go for it, but the Warhawks hit Figaro in the backfield and forced the ball loose.
 
ULM then closed out the half with 16 points. Smith hit Harley Scioneaux for a 17-yard score and the defense blocked a punt into the end zone for a safety. After the free kick, Smith connected with Holley for a 47-yard touchdown for a 40-0 lead. Smith finished with 370 yards and completed 26 of 33 passes.
 
The Colonels had their best drive of the night early in the third quarter, going 82 yards on 14 plays. Figaro and Terry Lucas Jr. hooked up for a 31-yard pass, but after the ULM defense held strong inside the 10-yard line, Francisco Condado missed on a 21-yard field goal. Lucas led the team with five receptions for 51 yards.
 
ULM added a rushing ouchdown in the fourth to make the final. The Warhawks racked up 202 yards on the ground, while Nicholls finished with 159. Tobias Lofton added 39 yards on 10 carries for the Colonels.
 
B.T. Sanders led Nicholls with 12 tackles and Hezekiah White added nine.
 
Nicholls will open up Southland Conference play next Saturday (Sept. 19) at UIW. Kickoff in San Antonio is scheduled for 2 p.m.