THIBODAUX - The Nicholls State University football team will kick off its 40th season in program history on Thursday, Sept. 1 as the Colonels host Evangel University in “The Blackout Game” at 6:30 p.m. at John L. Guidry Stadium.

Nicholls heads into 2011 on a two-game winning streak after picking up wins against Southland Conference opponents Northwestern State and Southeastern La. to close out head coach Charlie Stubbs' inaugural season. Stubbs led the Colonels to a 4-7 record and 3-4 in conference.

Evangel, of the NAIA, went 4-6 last year and won its final game as well. Thursday's game will be the second meeting between the programs as Nicholls defeated the Crusaders 40-17 on Nov. 17, 1979 in Thibodaux.

The Colonels return 21 starters in all, led on offense by junior quarterback LaQuintin Caston. Caston, who started nine games under center for Nicholls last season, was announced as the starter earlier this week. Caston is coming off two 100-plus yard rushing performances, where the native of Baton Rouge reeled off six touchdowns to pace the Colonel offense to a pair of SLC victories.

The defense returns 10 starters, the same as the offense, with senior cornerback Bobby Felder anchoring the secondary. Felder, a native of McComb, Miss., intercepted four passes last season and earned first-team preseason All-SLC. Also back for the Colonels are two of their three top tacklers from 2010 – junior linebacker Jordan Piper (52) and sophomore safety Jordan Hanberry (50 tackles).

Evangel returns six starters on both offense and defense, but will be featuring a new starting quarterback in sophomore Andrew Brimhall. Leading the defense for the Crusaders is senior nose tackle Mitch Wilson, who racked up 10.5 tackles for loss in only five games played last season.

The Colonels have won 10 of their last 11 home openers, including their last home season-opener in 2006 when Nicholls shutout Southern Arkansas 35-0. 

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-P\play) and Seth Thomas (color analyst)
Colonels on the internet: www.klrzfm.com; www.kbze.com
Live Stats: www.geauxcolonels.com