LAKE CHARLES, La. -- Quarterback Daniel Sams ran for 135 yards and threw two touchdown passes, helping McNeese State win its Southland Conference opener with a 45-3 rout of Nicholls on Saturday night.

Ryan Ross added 94 yards on 14 carries with a touchdown for the Cowboys (3-1, 1-0).

Sams threw a 33-yard strike to Khalil Thomas to open the scoring and later found R.J. Walters for a 2-yard touchdown to make it 31-0 in the third quarter. Kelvin Bennett and Dylan Long also had rushing touchdowns for McNeese State.

Tyler Bolfing split time at quarterback with Sams, going 10 of 15 for 166 yards and a 4-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Milton.

Demon Bolt had three receptions for 105 yards and Michael Henry finished with 81 yards rushing for the Colonels (0-6, 0-2). Their lone points came on a 47-yard field goal by Francisco Condado in the third quarter.