THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University football team will look to remain undefeated at home this season as the Colonels take on conference-leader No. 4/7 McNeese State at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at John L. Guidry Stadium.

A live video stream will be available on Colonels All-Access and live audio is available on the Colonel Sports Radio Network, which includes KLRZ 100.3 FM, KLEB 1600 AM and LA 106.3 Rock Hits Radio. Pregame coverage will begin at 11:30 a.m. with the Colonel Pre-Game Pass on KNSU 91.5 FM.

After seeing its three-game winning streak come to an end last weekend, Nicholls (4-2, 1-1) hopes to continue its dominance at home where the Colonels are currently 3-0. Nicholls, which won only four games at Guidry Stadium in the previous three seasons, has not went unscathed at home since its championship run in 2005.

However, the Colonels will have their work cut out for them as McNeese (6-1, 2-0) is coming off a 31-23 win over two-time FCS national runner up No. 2 Sam Houston State. The win was the second top 15 victory for the Cowboys this season as McNeese crushed No. 14/11 Central Arkansas 59-28 in their conference opener.

The Cowboys lead the all-time series 26-11 and have played well in Thibodaux, posting a 13-4 record. McNeese has won nine of the last 10 at Guidry Stadium including last year's 42-10 romp. The last home win for the Colonels came in '05 as Nicholls won 39-26. Overall, McNeese has four straight wins against the Colonels and has claimed 12 of the last 14 matchups.

In three home games this season, Nicholls is averaging 39.7 points and 448.3 yards of total offense. The majority of the offense has come on the ground with the Colonels pumping out 245.3 yards rushing per contest. On defense, Nicholls is limiting its opposition to just 137 yards passing a game.

Nicholls hasn't had much trouble scoring over the past four games, averaging exactly 40 points on 465.8 yards per game, but the defense is surrendering 33 points and over 400 yards per contest. In the Colonels' 55-41 loss at Stephen F. Austin last Saturday, Nicholls gave up 50 points for the third time this season with the other two times coming against FBS Oregon and Louisiana-Lafayette.

Quarterback Tuskani Figaro is set to make his fourth career start and junior Kalen Henderson is expected to see some action as well. Figaro recorded his third career 100-yard rushing effort with 145 yards against SFA and ranks third in the Southland in rushing with a 110.2 yard average. Figaro accounted for three touchdowns last game, but the sophomore turned the ball over four times with three interceptions and one fumble. Henderson led Nicholls on its final scoring drive, going 3 of 4 for 46 yards and a touchdown.

For the rest of the offense, running back Dalton Hilliard Jr. filled in nicely for the injured Marcus Washington, scoring three touchdowns while recording 93 yards rushing and 50 yards receiving. Wide receiver Erik Buchanan had a career day with four receptions for 144 yards and he leads the team with 344 yards receiving on 11 catches (31.3 ypc).

On defense, Nicholls heads into the matchup ranked 7th out of 8 in points allowed (41.6) and total defense (504.0) while placing last in rushing yards allowed (298.6). However, junior linebacker Davin Bovie moved into the top 20 in the FCS in tackles per game (10.3) after he tallied a career-high 21 at SFA.

The Colonel special forces has been led by senior Carey Fortson who is third in the Southland with a 26.9 yard kick return average. Fortson has three kick returns over 40 yards, including a season-long 54-yarder against Arkansas Tech. Senior Andrew Dolan is 4 of 9 in field goals while Conner Fryoux is averaging 38.9 yards per punt with eight downed inside the 20.

Typically known for its defense, McNeese brings the SLC's second-highest scoring offense at 42.0 points, trailing Sam Houston by only one tenth of a point. The Cowboys have scored at least 30 points in all of their wins and put up over 50 twice including their 53-21 victory at FBS South Florida.

The Cowboys are led by quarterback Cody Stroud and running back Marcus Wiltz. Stroud is averaging 244.4 yards passing per game and has 17 touchdowns versus just two interceptions. In last year's matchup against the Colonels, he threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Wiltz heads into the game ranked third in rushing with a 113.7 average and has six rushing TDs.

Defensively, McNeese ranks fifth in the Southland in points allowed (25.0) and rushing yards (159.4). Last week against Sam Houston, McNeese held one the nation's best running backs - Tim Flanders - to just 22 yards on 11 carries. Their lowest ranking comes in pass defense where the Cowboys are giving up 260.6 yards to rank seventh.

Following Saturday's game, Nicholls will hit the road for three of its last four games, returning Nov. 16 to host Central Arkansas.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Game Notes: Nicholls, McNeese
Video Stream: Colonels All-Access
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), Nolan Dumas (sideline)
Colonels on the Internet: www.klrzfm.com, www.la1063.com