THIBODAUX  - After coming up short in its first two Southland Conference matchups at home, the Nicholls State University football team will hit the road to take on undefeated No. 10 Sam Houston State on Saturday at Bowers Stadium. Kickoff against the Bearkats is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Nicholls (1-5, 0-2 SLC) came up a yard shy of claiming its first conference win last weekend against Central Arkansas, falling to the Bears 37-31. Sam Houston State (5-0, 2-0 SLC), who defeated New Mexico of the FBS earlier this season, stayed perfect on the year by defeating SLC-defending champion Stephen F. Austin, 45-10, at Reliant Stadium in the Battle of Piney Woods.

“We have a big challenge ahead this week going to Sam Houston State,” said Nicholls football head coach Charlie Stubbs. “Willie Fritz has done a tremendous job; they are well-coached and they have the talent to go with it, but we're excited about facing them. That's where you really find out where you are as a program by getting out there and competing against great teams.”

Coach Stubbs and Fritz will go head-to-head for the second time, after both coaches were at Central Missouri during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Fritz was the head coach from 1997-2009, and Stubbs joined his staff as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach in 2008.

In their Southland head coaching debuts last season, Fritz led the Bearkats to a 26-7 victory over the Colonels, extending Sam Houston State's streak to five games in the series. The Bearkats lead the all-time series, 15-10-1.

The Bearkats come into the game with the FCS' sixth-rated rushing attack (248.6 ypg), led by running back Tim Flanders (109.2) and wide receiver Richard Sincere (63.6). For the season, Flanders has eclipsed the 100-yard mark three times.

The Colonels had their first 100-yard rushing performance since the season opener after running back Marcus Washington rushed for a career-high 101 yards with two touchdowns against Central Arkansas last weekend. Nicholls is currently averaging 144.8 yards on the ground, but the Bearkats feature the nation's top rushing defense, allowing only 46 yards per game.

Sophomore quarterback Landry Klann will be making his second straight start for the Colonels after throwing for a career-high 237 yards on Saturday. Klann completed 19-of-26 passes against UCA and accounted for two touchdowns - one passing and one rushing.

Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 2 p.m. Mike Wagenheim and Seth Thomas will cover all the action live on The Colonel Radio Network on 100.3 FM KLRZ, 105.9 FM KBZE and 1600 AM KLEB.

Nicholls vs. Sam Houston State Game Notes
TV Coverage: None
Radio Coverage: 100.3 FM KLRZ (Larose, La.); 1600 AM KLEB (Golden Meadow, La.); 105.9 FM KBZE (Morgan City, La.)
Broadcast Team: Mike Wagenheim (play-by-play), Seth Thomas (color) and Brandon Rizzuto (sideline)
Colonels on the Internet: www.klrzfm.com; www.kbze.com
Live Stats: www.geauxcolonels.com