Feb. 23, 2010

THIBODAUX, La. - Under the direction of first year Head Coach Charlie Stubbs, the Nicholls State University football team will play a total of five home games in 2010 with the rest on the road, announced the Nicholls Athletics Department on Tuesday morning.

The Colonels will open up their 2010 campaign with three consecutive road games, all against Division I-Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) foes with the first coming against San Diego State on September 4. The Aztecs finished 2009 with a 4-8 overall record that included a 2-6 record in the Mountain West Conference.

Nicholls also opened its 2009 season with a member of the Mountain West Conference, suffering a 72-0 loss to Air Force Academy.

After the trip out west, the Colonels will head north to play Western Michigan on Sept. 11. The Broncos finished 2009 with a 5-7 record that also consisted of a 4-4 record in the Mid-American Conference. The following week for Nicholls will feature a short trip to Mobile, Ala. to take on South Alabama on Sept. 18. This will be the Jaguars first year of football on the Division I level.

"We are excited about the high level of Division I competition that we will play to start the season. Playing teams such as San Diego State, Western Michigan and South Alabama can only help us grow and mature as a team in time for conference," said Stubbs.

Nicholls will play its first home game on September 25 against NAIA member Bacone College, which will also serve as the university's homecoming. Kickoff for the homecoming is set for 4 p.m. at Manning Field built by AstroTurf in John L. Guidry Stadium.

The Colonels will then enjoy an open date on Oct. 2 before picking up league action against Sam Houston State on Oct. 9 at home. The Bearkats took last year's game, 44-21, and have won the last four in the series. Nicholls will follow up their bout with the Bearkats with a trip to Texas State on Oct. 16.

After their contest against the Bobcats, Nicholls returns to Guidry Stadium to face conference rival Central Arkansas on Oct. 23. UCA defeated Nicholls 42-13 last season in Conway, avenging a 20-17 loss a year before in Thibodaux to the Colonels.

Nicholls will travel to longtime rival McNeese State on Oct. 30. The last time the two teams met in Lake Charles, the Colonels won a 38-35 thriller. It was the first victory for Nicholls at McNeese State in 10 years.

The Colonels will then round out its 2010 schedule with two of its last three games at home. The first comes against defending Southland Conference Champion Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 6. SFA barely squeaked by Nicholls last season in Nacogdoches, scoring late to get a 31-27 win.

After a Nov. 13 game at in-state rival Northwestern State, Nicholls will return home to face Southeastern La. on Thursday Nov. 18 to close out the season. The Colonels defeated both squads last season, marking the club's only two wins in conference action in 2009.

"The schedule is challenging, and as we change offensive philosophy, I suspect there to be a learning curve. However, I am thankful for having a group of young men that are serious about their education and athletic careers. We are all very excited to get under way," said Stubbs.

The Colonels will officially begin their steps towards the 2010 season with spring practice beginning on March 29.

The 2010 schedule can be accessed by clicking here.

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