THIBODAUX, La.  – After playing three teams at different levels, the Nicholls State University football team will take on its first FCS team of the season as the Colonels open up their 2012 Southland Conference schedule at No. 24 Central Arkansas on Saturday. Kickoff at First Security Field at Estes Stadium is slated for 6 p.m.

The game will be broadcast live on the Colonel Sports Radio Network. Pregame coverage begins at 5:30 p.m. on all three affiliates - 100.3 FM KLRZ (Larose); 1600 AM KLEB (Golden Meadow); and LA 106.3 FM KXOR (Houma).

While Nicholls (1-2, 0-0) snapped its overall losing streak with its 73-17 win against Evangel in the home opener, the Colonels will now be aiming for their first conference victory since the 2010-finale against Southeastern La. The Colonels went 0-7 last season in the Southland, including a heartbreaking 37-31 loss to Central Arkansas in Thibodaux, and a 34-0 defeat in their conference-opener versus Northwestern State, which dropped their overall record in Southland openers to 6-15.

Against Evangel, the Colonel offense fired on all cylinders. Quarterback Landry Klann had only four incomplete passes out of 19 attempts, throwing for a career-best 262 yards and three touchdowns. Prior to the last game, Klann's best performance was in 2011 against UCA (3-2, 11-1), where he had 237 yards and accounted for two TDs. He also directed the offense to a potential game-winning drive that unfortunately came up two yards short.

The Colonel rushing attack heads into Saturday's contest averaging 211.3 yards, which ranks 22nd in the FCS. Running back Marcus Washington leads the team with 211 yards after racking ups his second career 100-yard game in the home opener. His other 100-yard day was against the Bears last season as he had 101 and two touchdowns in the loss. Freshman Tuskani Figaro is averaging 90 yards per contest and senior Jesse Turner has 122 yard on 18 carries (6.8 ypc).

Nicholls will try to duplicate the passing attack from two weeks ago that saw the Colonels throw for over 300 yards for only the second time since 1998. Twelve different players recorded a catch in the game, with Josh Hanberry pacing the squad with 121 yards on three receptions. Along with leading the team in receiving yards (144), Hanberry is also tied with Washington for the team led in receptions (7).

Defensively, the team is giving up over 400 yards a game, but has been sound in limiting teams to field goals in the red zone. In 16 trips into the red zone, the Colonel defense has only allowed seven touchdowns, while holding the opposition to five field goals.

Senior middle linebacker anchors the defense, leading the Southland with 8.7 tackles per game. In the Colonels' last outing, the squad excelled at earning “get backs”, causing five turnovers with three interceptions and two fumbles. Dexter Aucoin, Josh Dewey and Siegan Vergenal all had picks, with returns of at least 25 yards. Nicholls, however, did have trouble with its pass rush, getting only one sack in over 31 pass attempts.

Central Arkansas is coming off a 42-37 defeat against Stephen F. Austin in its Southland opener last week. Despite only 12 first downs and 217 yards of total offense, the Bears still managed to put points on the board and are currently the Southland's top scoring team (40.0 ppg).

Destrehan native Wynrick Smothers directs the FCS's 21st ranked passing offense (258.6 ypg). In five outings, Smothers has 1,217 yards passing and 14 touchdowns, completing 66.3 percent of his attempts. He is also the Bears second leading rusher, averaging close to 40 yards a game.

The receiver core features three players with at least 20 receptions – Dezmin Lewis (25), Dominique Croom (24) and Jesse Grandy (20). Croom has been the most dangerous of the trio, racking up 357 yards and four touchdowns.

On the other side of the ball, UCA leads the conference with nine interceptions and has 10 sacks on the year. In special teams, the Bears are ranked first in kick return average (26.3) and second in punt return (23.1). UCA has already brought two punts back for touchdowns.

Rojae Jackson and Justin Heard led the Bears with 38 tackles, while Radari Winston and Josh Jones have two interceptions each.

The matchup will mark the seventh battle between the two schools, with Central Arkansas holding a 4-2 advantage.  The Bears have won the last three and have a perfect 2-0 record at home.

Following Saturday's game, the Colonels will return to Thibodaux for Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 13. Nicholls will host Southland defending champion No. 9 Sam Houston State at 6 p.m.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Nicholls vs. Central Arkansas Notes
Radio Coverage: 100.3 FM KLRZ (Larose, La.); 1600 AM KLEB (Golden Meadow, La.); 106.3 FM KXOR (Houma, La.)
Broadcast Team: Mike Wagenheim (play-by-play), Seth Thomas (color)
Colonels on the Internet: www.klrzfm.com, www.la1063.com
Live Stats: www.ucasports.com