THIBODAUX, La. -- After a scoreless first quarter, Sam Houston State scored 41 unanswered points in a 41-0 victory over Nicholls State Saturday night in Southland Conference action.

The Bearkats (4-2, 2-1) got three rushing touchdowns from Tim Flanders. He scored on runs of 1, 2 and 25 yards, to become Sam Houston State's career scoring leader with 270 points.

Bearkats' quarterback Brian Bell threw two touchdown passes, a 5-yarder to Melvis Pride and an 18-yarder to Chance Nelson. Bell, who completed 15 of 19 passes for 180 yards, is now second on the Sam Houston State career touchdown passing list with 38. He trails the leader, Dustin Long, by one.

Midway through the third quarter, Sam Houston State had 187 net yards rushing to zero for Nicholls State. The margin ended up 261-20. Ridgeway Frank completed the scoring for the Bearkats with a 5-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.