THIBODAUX, La. – After its initial season opener at Oregon State was postponed last week due to Hurricane Isaac, the Nicholls State University football team will begin its 2012 slate at South Alabama on Saturday, Sept. 8.

Kickoff at Ladd-Peebles Stadium is scheduled for 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast live online on ESPN3 and can be heard on the Colonel Sports Radio Network.

Saturday will mark the second matchup between the programs as South Alabama defeated Nicholls 39-21 in 2010. The Jaguars (0-1), of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), are playing in their first season as an official member of the Sun Belt Conference.

The Colonels will be looking to win their second straight season-opener. Nicholls defeated Evangel in 2011 before enduring its current 10-game losing streak. The Colonels are 21-19 all-time in season-openers, but have lost three-straight on the road. However, the last road-opening win was in 2007 against Rice, which was the Colonels' last victory over an FBS program.

Third-year head coach Charlie Stubbs brings a total of 17 starters back, including seven on each side of the ball. Although senior LaQuintin Caston has been the starting quarterback for the last two seasons, he was converted to wide receiver in the spring. Under center for the Colonels this season will be junior Landry Klann, who had two starts in 2011. Sophomore Beaux Hebert and freshman Tuskani Figaro could see action at quarterback as well.

With Caston, who led the Colonel rushing attack last season with 707 yards, out of the backfield, Nicholls will rely on junior Marcus Washington and senior Jesse Turner. Washington, a native of Lillian, Ala., earned second-team All-Southland last year after rushing for 565 yards with four touchdowns. Turner, who earned the same honor in 2010, had a breakout game in the first meeting against South Alabama, racking up 205 yards of total offense that included a 95-yard touchdown reception. 

The Colonel defense will be led by returning three-year starting linebacker Jordan Piper. Piper was Nicholls' top tackler last season, tallying 81 in 10 games. Also returning is junior safety Siegan Vergenal, who was second on the team with 65 tackles. Vergenal was also credited with five forced fumbles, putting him in a tie for fourth in the FCS.

Nicholls returns two key starters in its special forces - senior punter and All-Southland First Team honoree Cory Kemps and junior kicker and Mobile native Andrew Dolan. Kemps finished sixth in the FCS last season with a 42.8 yard per punt average while Dolan led the Colonels with 42 points scored, making 6-of-9 field goals and 24 extra points.

South Alabama comes into the game after suffering its first opening loss, falling to UTSA 33-31 at home on a last-second 51-yard field goal. The teams were somewhat identical statistically, but the Jaguars lost the turnover battle, 4-1.

USA was led on offense by quarterback C.J. Bennett, who threw for 182 yards and two scores. The team rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries. Demetre Baker rushed for 63 yards while Kendall Houston added 43, with each scoring a touchdown. Jeremy Jones paced the receivers with 51 yards on three receptions and scored once.

Fans making the trip to Mobile can tailgate at the southeast side of the stadium. With limited parking, fans have to option to park at Bel Air Mall (map) and take the shuttle for $2.50 round trip. The shuttle will run four hours prior to kickoff until 90 minutes after the conclusion of the game.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Nicholls vs. South Alabama Game Notes
Video Coverage: ESPN3 (Online)
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.usajags.com