THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University football team will close out its 2013 non-conference schedule on Saturday when the Colonels host Arkansas Tech for homecoming. Kickoff at John L. Guidry Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m.

In addition to homecoming festivities, the Colonels will blackout the stadium as they will wear their new black uniforms. Fans are encouraged to participate in the blackout by wearing black attire. Black Nicholls Nation t-shirts will be available for purchase at the game for $10.

The game can be watched online by signing up for Colonels All-Access on Nicholls Athletics' official website geauxcolonels.com. Live audio is also 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.

For the second straight week, Nicholls (2-2) will face an opponent for the first time in program history. Arkansas Tech (2-1), a NCAA Division II program, will be looking for its first win against a Division I team. The Wonder Boys have not played a Division I team since 1997.

Nicholls is coming off a 42-22 win against NAIA Langston in its home opener and will be looking to win back-to-back games for the first time since 2010. The Colonels faced a little adversity in the early going against the Lions, falling behind 16-7, but used a balance offense and a stout defense to bounce back. Nicholls rushed and passed for over 200 yards for the second time this season which has resulted in a 2-0 record.

Several Colonels had career firsts in the win, led by quarterback Beaux Hebert who threw three touchdowns passes for a career high. With Kalen Henderson still sidelined, Hebert and Tuskani Figaro, who is second on the team with 196 rushing, will most likely split time against Arkansas Tech.

While it wasn't his first career 100-yard game, Marcus Washington set a personal-best with 121 yards rushing as he recorded his fourth 100-yard outing of his career. Wide receivers Josh Hanberry and Carey Fortson found the end zone for the first time in their careers, with Hanberry scoring the Colonels' first two touchdowns.

On defense, the Colonels limited Langston to 242 yards on offense and held the Lions to 6 of 14 on third-down conversions. Linebacker Davin Bovie continues to be one of the league's top tacklers, ranking third with 8.0 per game after his 9-tackle day against the Lions. The Colonels were able to get a pair of turnovers on defense/special teams with a muffed punt return and linebacker Chris Bermond's first career interception.

The Wonder Boys, coached by Louisiana native Raymond Monica, come to Thibodaux riding high off a 49-7 throttling of Great American Conference foe Southern Nazarene. ATU had seven rushing TDs in the win, led by a 132-yard, three-touchdown game from running back Ketrich Harmon.

Luke Halpin completed 16 of 20 yards, but only accounted for 84 yards. On the year, Halpin has 655 yards passing and two touchdowns. His primary target has been wide receiver John Simpson, who has 16 receptions for 212 yards and both TDs.

Leading the defense, which is giving up 15 points and just over 300 yards per game, is linebacker Wesley McKinney. In three games, McKinney has 22 tackles and two that have went for loss. Senior defensive back Deandre' Bonner has a team-high two interceptions.

Following Saturday's game, the Colonels will have a bye week before opening Southland play at home against rival Northwestern State on Oct. 12.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Nicholls vs. Arkansas Tech Notes
Radio Coverage: 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
Video Stream: Colonels All-Access