THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University football team will look to continue its hot start as the Colonels put their three-game winning streak on the line, taking on Stephen F. Austin State in their conference road opener on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Homer Bryce Stadium.  Kickoff against the Lumberjacks is scheduled for 3 p.m.

For the second consecutive week, the Colonels (4-2, 1-0) will be televised on the Southland Conference Television Network with an online stream available on ESPN3. The local affiliates that will carry the game are WHNO 20.1 (New Orleans) and KWBJ 22 (Morgan City-Houma). For complete listings, please click here.

Nicholls is coming off a dominating 33-21 victory against Northwestern State, while SFAS (2-4, 0-1) struggled in its opener, falling to Southeastern Louisiana 56-14. The loss was the second straight for the 'Jacks as they were defeated in their final non-conference game by Prairie View A&M, 56-48.

The Lumberjacks lead the all-time series against Nicholls 22-7 and have won five straight. Last season, SFA defeated Nicholls 44-10 in Nacogdoches, holding the Colonels to a lone touchdown which came late in the game on a fake field goal. At Homer Bryce Stadium, Stephen F. holds a 12-3 record against the Colonels and has won 12 of the last 13.

The Colonels will need another solid performance from their defense, which shutout the Demons in the first half last week, as Stephen F. Austin is ranked second in the nation in total offense (543.2) and passing yards (384.7). Quarterback Brady Attaway continues to move up the Southland passing lists, ranking fourth all-time in yards (9,221) and touchdowns (70). This season, Attway is fourth in the FCS with 342.7 passing yards per game and is in the top 20 with 13 passing TDs.

While Nicholls has been a bit suspect against the run (290.0 ypg), the passing defense ranks second in the SLC with 183.5 yards allowed. The Colonels made NSU's aerial attack non-existent last weekend, holding the Demons to 100 yards. Cornerback Byron Cobb, who is fifth in the SLC with five passes defended, and linebacker Chris Bermond lead the pass defense with a team-high two interceptions each.

On offense, quarterback Tuskani Figaro continues to shine for the Colonels, posting a 2-0 record as a starter. Coming off a 281-yard rushing effort in the Colonels' win against Arkansas Tech, Figaro threw for a career-high 245 yards in the conference opener and tossed a pair of touchdown passes. Not only is Figaro ranked fourth in the Southland in rushing (103.2), but the sophomore is third in passing efficiency with a 161.2 rating.

The Colonels will be without the services of its top running back, senior Marcus Washington, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the win over Northwestern State. In six games, Washington racked up 636 all-purpose yards and scored nine touchdowns. With Washington out of the lineup, Dalton Hilliard Jr. will move up the depth chart with sophomore Reggie Wilson as a backup. On the year, Hilliard has 20 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown while also catching four balls for 35 yards.

Demon Bolt and Erik Buchanan lead the receiving core as the duo has combined for 20 receptions for 435 yards and three touchdowns. Bolt posted career highs last week, catching five passes for 78 yards and had one touchdown. Buchanan has only caught seven balls in three games but is averaging an astounding 28.6 yards per reception.

SFA has three receivers ranked in the top five in the conference in yardage – Mike Brooks (517, 36 rec.), D.J. Ward (500, 36 rec.) and Aaron Thomas (403, 23 rec.) - to go along with running back Gus Johnson, who is third in rushing at 111.5 yards per game. In the 'Jacks loss at Southeastern, the passing game only mustered 139 yards but Johnson racked up 106 yards on the ground and a touchdown.

While SFA statistically has one of the best offenses in the league, the defense is giving up 45.7 points per game, which is second-to-last in the FCS. In all four of its losses, SFA has given up 50 points or more.

Following Saturday's road game, Nicholls will return home to host No. 9/10 McNeese State on Oct. 26 for Family Day. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Game Notes: Nicholls, Stephen F. Austin State
TV Coverage: Southland Conference Television Network (Affilates)
Broadcast Team: Randy McIlvoy (play by play), Shea Walker (color), Chris Mycoskie (sideline)
Video Stream: ESPN3
Colonel Sports Radio Network: 100.3 FM KLRZ (Larose, La.); 1600 AM KLEB (Golden Meadow, La.); LA 106.3 Rock Hits Radio (Houma, La.)
Broadcast Team: Mike Wagenheim (play by play), Seth Thomas (color), Erik Solberg (sideline)
Colonels on the Internet: www.klrzfm.com, www.la1063.com