Southland Release

FRISCO, Texas – The Nicholls State University football team landed two players on the All-Southland teams as middle linebacker Jordan Piper made second-team defense while sophomore Nick Scelfo was selected second-team offense for the second straight season.

In all, Nicholls had seven players recognized as five Colonels received honorable mention. On offense, wide receiver Erik Buchanan, left tackle Abasi Salimu and running back Marcus Washington were honored, while linebacker Kerry Guidry and punter Cory Kemps took honorable mention for defense and special teams, respectively.

“These young men are very deserving of these honors. It's always rewarding when our opponents recognize our players with these awards,” said Nicholls football head coach Charlie Stubbs. “I'm extremely happy for our seniors that were honored. And what's also exciting is that we'll have four of our seven honorees returning next season, so that's something we can build off of heading into 2013.”

After earning honorable mention in the previous two campaigns, Piper garnered second-team after leading the conference in tackles with 10.2 per game. He racked up 102 stops in just 10 games and averaged 1.3 more than the Southland's second-best tackler. Twenty-three of his tackles came against Central Arkansas, where the New Orleans native tied the program-record set in 1977 by Colonel Hall of Famer Rusty Rebowe. With one game remaining, Piper's 102 tackles is the most by a Colonel since 2000.

Scelfo was selected second-team after following up his freshman season with another strong year. A native of Baton Rouge, Scelfo finished second in the Southland among tight ends in receptions (21), receiving yards (285) and touchdowns (2). Averaging 13.6 yards per reception, he recorded a catch in all but one game this season. In conference play, his best game came against McNeese where he had three receptions for 63 yards.

In his first season with the Red and Gray, Buchanan proved to be a home-run threat for passing game. Although he finished with only 10 receptions, the junior from Aberdeen, Miss. averaged 28.3 yards per catch and had the Southland's longest reception, coming on a 79-yard touchdown at Central Arkansas.

Salimu was a mainstay for the Colonel offensive line, starting all 10 games at left tackle. A transfer from San Jose State, the Los Angeles native helped pave the way for a 5.1 yard per carry average by the Colonel backfield and the Southland's third-best passing offense.

Included in the backfield was Washington, who finished fourth in rushing in the SLC with 61.1 yards per game. On the year, Washington, from Lillian, Ala., carried the ball 107 times for 550 yards and scored six touchdowns. He also proved to be reliable in the passing game, recording 25 receptions for 167 yards.

Guidry was the second Colonel defender to be recognized after finishing fourth on the team in tackles with 46, despite missing two games. Guidry, a Houma native, notched two sacks and an interception.  On the year, he had 5.5 tackles for loss and a fumble forced and recovery.

Kemps rounds out the honorees after averaging 41.7 yards per punt and ranking second in the conference and 26th in the FCS with a net average of 36.9 yards. A native of Carmel, Ind., Kemps pinned 13 punts inside the 20, with seven inside the 10 including three inside the 5. He had 17 punts go for over 50 yards, including a career-long 64-yarder.

The Colonels will have Thanksgiving break off and return next week to prepare for their season finale at Oregon State on Dec. 1.