THIBODAUX, La.  – The Nicholls State University football team will look to end its first losing streak of 2013 and earn its first win ever in Beaumont as the Colonels clash with Lamar at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, at Provost Umphrey Stadium.

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 2:30 p.m. with the Colonel Pre-Game Pass on KNSU 91.5 FM.

Nicholls (4-4, 1-2) will head into the matchup against Lamar (3-5, 0-3) with a two-game losing skid after dropping a pair of high-scoring affairs at Stephen F. Austin (55-41) and at home against Southland frontrunner No. 4/7 McNeese State (55-30). The Cardinals are also hoping to end a losing streak as LU has lost three consecutive Southland games – all against opponents currently ranked in the Top 25 polls – No. 8/9 Sam Houston, No. 18/15 Central Arkansas and No. 25 Southeastern Louisiana (56-34).

Lamar has had the upper hand in the all-time series which revived two years ago, posting a 4-1 record against the Colonels. Nicholls is 0-3 in Beaumont including last season's 34-24 loss. Overall, Lamar has won the last three meetings, defeating Nicholls 34-26 in Thibodaux in 2011 and way back in 1984, LU won 20-16 at home.

The game features the top two pass defenses in the Southland as Lamar is surrendering a conference-low 209.3 passing yards in SLC play, followed by Nicholls at 217.3. The passing defenses will be tested as Nicholls wideout Erik Buchanan leads the conference with 87.0 receiving yards per game (261 yards, nine rec.) and four touchdowns in Southland games while LU's Reggie Begelton is second with 238 yards on 21 receptions. Cardinal QB Caleb Berry is second in the league in passing with 269.3 yards and has seven TD passes.

Both teams haven't been able to stop the run with Nicholls giving up 272 yards (8th) while Lamar is sixth at 219.3. The porous run defenses should bode well for the offensive-minded enthusiasts as each squad features a Top 5 rusher. In conference play, Colonel quarterback Tuskani Figaro has rushed for over 100 in the last two games and ranks third with 97 yards per game. Dalton Hilliard Jr. has also produced on the ground for Nicholls, recording back-to-back 93 yard games after being inserted into the starting lineup. For Lamar, freshman standout running back Kade Harrington ranks fourth in the SLC with 231 yards rushing (77.0).

On defense, Colonel linebacker Kameryon Brown ranks second in tackles with 10.3 per contest. Brown has 46 tackles on the year with 31 coming in the last three games. Senior Chris Bermond, who is second on the team with 55 tackles on the year, picked up his conference-leading third forced fumble in the loss against McNeese. 

The Cardinals are led on defense by defensive end Jesse Dickson. At 6-foot-3, 265 pounds, Dickson has wreaked havoc all year long as he leads in the SLC with 12.5 tackles for loss, is second in sacks (5.0) and is fifth in tackles (7.9).

Following Saturday's contest at Lamar, Nicholls will return to Texas on Saturday, Nov. 9 to take on two-time national runners-up Sam Houston State. Kickoff in Huntsville is slated for 2 p.m.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Game Notes: Nicholls, Lamar
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
Live Stats: lamarcardinals.com