THIBODAUX – The Nicholls State University football team will continue its conference slate with a road trip on Saturday to Texas State, attempting to regain the coveted paddle that signifies the rivalry between the two universities. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium.

The Colonels (1-4, 0-1 Southland) are coming off of a 26-7 loss to Sam Houston State, while the Bobcats (3-2, 0-1 Southland) suffered a similar fate at Southeastern La., falling 49-24.

“There were some positives to take from the game against Sam Houston State with how well our defense played, and how they really kept us in the game. We definitely need to improve on offense and special teams to eliminate miscues,” said head football coach Charlie Stubbs. “Texas State will be a big challenge for us. They had a setback last week, and we know they will be motivated for Saturday's game. We must improve drastically in all phases to put us in a position to win the game.”

Nicholls trailed 10-7 to start the fourth quarter against Sam Houston State, and had held the Bearkats to just 113 yards of offense thru three quarters. At many times in the game, Nicholls had as many as three true freshmen in its defensive backfield.

Leading all tacklers in the contest was true freshman free safety Siegan Vergenal with eight total tackles (five solo) and an interception. His interception – the first of his collegiate career – led to the Colonels only score via a 13-yard touchdown run by sophomore quarterback LaQuintin Caston.

“We are definitely playing a young and inexperienced defensive backfield, but the exciting thing is to see them make plays and help put us in a position to win. We have a lot of true freshmen contributing in all areas of our team,” added Stubbs about the Colonels' young squad.

Senior free safety Tarbbaris Hicks leads all Colonel tacklers this season with 41 takedowns (22 solo) that also includes a team best 4.5 tackles for a loss.

On the season, Nicholls' offensive attack is led by sophomore running back Jesse Turner with 660 yards of total offense. Turner leads the team in rushing (439 yards), receiving (211 yards), and scoring (42 points) heading into the game against Texas State.

Texas State is led by senior All-Southland running back Karrington Bush and wide receiver Da'Marcus Griggs on the offensive side. Bush leads the squad with 354 yards rushing and five touchdowns on the season, while Griggs is the club's leading receiver with 297 yards receiving and two scores.

Bush and Griggs are also contributors on special teams with Bush returning kicks (30.3 yards/return) and Griggs returning punts (15.5 yards/return).

Nicholls counters in special teams with two-time All-Southland first team punter Patrick Dolan, who is coming off one of the better games of his career with an average of 51.3 yards/punt that included two punts over 60 yards. Dolan was named Southland Special Teams Player of the Week for his efforts.

Team captains for the Colonels will be seniors Patrick Dolan and Tarbbaris Hicks, and sophomores Jesse Turner and Jordan Piper.

Other notes of interest:

The Battle For The Paddle
Many rivalries in college football are start due to historical events surrounding the game, not necessarily the game itself. The Texas State/Nicholls State series is one of them, and is identified as “The Battle for the Paddle.” A rowing oar serves as the traveling trophy with the winning school holding possession of the paddle until the next game in the series. The game is played in recognition of the 1998 floods in Texas which not only postponed the game, but took the lives of 31 people in southwest and central Texas. Since 1998, Texas State has a 6-5 record against the Colonels, winning the last two games between the schools.

Vergenal Stepping Up At Safety
True freshman free safety Siegan Vergenal played liked a seasoned upper classmen against Sam Houston State, registering eight total tackles (five solo) and an interception. His interception - the first of his collegiate career - led to the Colonels' only touchdown in the game via a LaQuintin Caston 13-yard run.

Brad Nelson Rising To The Challenge
True freshman Brad Nelson, like Siegan Vergenal,has stepped up his game for the Colonels, and continued to improve to lead Nicholls against Sam Houston State with three receptions for 55 yards. The true freshman has three career starts under his belt.

Dolan's Das Boot!
Senior punter Patrick Dolan is making the most of his senior season with a 44.22 yards/punt average, ranking fourth in the nation. Dolan enters the game against Texas State with seven punts over 50 yards, three over 60, eight land inside the 20, and three result in fair catches. Also against Sam Houston State, Dolan handled kickoff duties, and was awarded Southland Player of the Week honors.

Following the Colonels:

Game Notes: Nicholls vs. Texas State Release
Colonels on Television: None
Colonels Radio Network: KLRZ 100.3 FM in Larose, 100,000 watts (Flagship), KBZE 105.9 FM in Morgan City, 5,000 watts, KFRA 1390 AM in Franklin, 500 watts, KLEB 1600 AM in Galliano, 500 watts
Colonels Radio Halftime Show: Getting to know a Colonel with FS Siegan Vergenal.
Broadcast team: Brennan Matherne (play-by-play) and Seth Thomas (analyst)
Colonels on the internet: www.klrzfm.com, www.kbze.com
Live Statistics: www.txstatebobcats.com

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