HENNIKER, N.H. (9/26/2026) - The Nichols College football team earned its first victory of the 2026 season on Saturday afternoon, defeating New England College, 31-7, at Laurie Cox Memorial Field.
The win also marked Nichols' first conference victory of the season, and brings them to 1-3 (1-0 CNE) overall. New England College, with the loss, also moves to 1-3 (0-1 CNE) overall.
Nichols set the tone early, scoring on each of its first two offensive possessions to take a 14-0 lead after the opening quarter.
Ricardo Navedo capped a 13-play, 69-yard opening drive with a three-yard touchdown run before
Teyshon McGee added a five-yard rushing score following a 48-yard drive.
The Bison extended their advantage early in the second quarter when
Will Migliaccio connected with
Brett Lato for a 15-yard touchdown, putting Nichols ahead 21-0 with 11:50 remaining in the half. New England College responded with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Brody Sobotka to Conrado Lago, but Nichols answered with a 33-yard field goal from
Jace McCarron with 1:02 remaining to take a 24-7 lead into halftime.
Nichols added to its advantage in the third quarter, putting together a 10-play, 68-yard drive that ended with Migliaccio scoring on a one-yard touchdown run. The Bison defense then kept the Pilgrims off the scoreboard for the remainder of the afternoon.
Navedo led the Nichols rushing attack with 113 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, while McGee added 61 yards and a touchdown on 10 attempts. Migliaccio completed 17-of-25 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for a score, while Lato led the Bison receiving corps with three catches for 38 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Nichols limited New England College to 193 total yards, including just -11 yards on the ground.
Jonathan Ferrara,
Anthony Shorter,
Caden Kehoe,
Charles DeMartino,
Zay Lumpkin and
Jack Beebe each recorded three tackles, while Beebe added a sack and forced fumble. Ferrara recovered a fumble late in the fourth quarter to help Nichols preserve the victory.
As a team, Nichols finished with 343 yards of total offense, including 191 rushing yards, and controlled possession for 39:29. The Bison also converted all three of their fourth-down attempts.
Nichols continues conference play next weekend when they welcome Maine Maritime Academy (0-3, 0-1 CNE) to Michael J. Vendetti Field for a 2:00 PM kickoff.
