THIBODAUX  - Following its first weekend off since the beginning of September, the Nicholls State University football team will return to the gridiron on Saturday for a Southland Conference matchup at McNeese State. Kickoff at Cowboy Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m.

“The bye week was much needed,” said Nicholls football head coach Charlie Stubbs. “I wish it could have come a little earlier with all of our injuries, but now we are prepared to make that final push for the season. We have three games remaining and we expect to play well.”

Nicholls (1-7, 0-4 SLC) will by vying for its first conference win of the season after dropping its last outing against Stephen F. Austin, 57-21, on Homecoming. The Lumberjacks held the Colonel offense to just one touchdown, with the other two coming on kick returns from Chika Madu.

The Colonels special forces was a highlight in the loss, getting three blocked kicks in the game. Linebacker Rashar Knight blocked a PAT and a field goal, while Bobby Felder blocked a field goal. Along with Madu's two TDs, wide receiver Joshua Warren returned a kickoff 100 yards for a score, but it was negated due to a penalty.

Also on special forces, punter Cory Kemps continues to be an asset for Nicholls as he is currently ranked fifth in the FCS with 43.8 yards per punt.

McNeese State (3-5, 2-3 SLC) will by looking to even up its conference record by putting a halt to its four-game skid. The Cowboys, who were ranked in the Top 25 for several weeks this season, are coming off a loss against SFA as well after falling to the 'Jacks 37-17 last weekend in Nacogdoches. MSU led at the break, 17-13, but surrendered 24 unanswered points in the second half.

Leading the Cowboy offense are quarterback Cody Stroud and tailback Andre Anderson. Stroud is averaging 207.6 yards passing, which ranks fourth in the Southland, and has tossed eight TDs for the season. Anderson ranks sixth in the Southland in rushing (48.1), trailing a pair of Colonels – Marcus Washington (55.6) and LaQuintin Caston (48.9).

McNeese leads the all-time series, 24-11, and has won 10 of the last 12 meetings. However, Nicholls has had success at Cowboy Stadium, winning seven times, including a 38-35 upset in 2008 over the 11th-ranked Cowboys.

Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 2 p.m. Mike Wagenheim, Seth Thomas and Brandon Rizzuto 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. McNeese 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