Interview with head coach Charlie Stubbs
Interview with quarterback Kalen Henderson

THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University football team will head to Kalamazoo, Mich. for its third matchup in the last four seasons against FBS Western Michigan as the Colonels take on the Broncos at 6 p.m. Saturday at Waldo Stadium. 

Saturday's game between Nicholls (0-1) and Western Michigan (0-1) will serve as the Broncos' home opener and will be telecast on ESPN3. The game will also be aired live on the Colonel Sports Radio Network, which includes KLRZ 100.3 FM, KLEB 1600 AM and LA 106.3 Rock Hits Radio.

Nicholls will look to build off its season opening 66-3 loss at No. 3 Oregon, which saw the Ducks rush for 500 yards. While the defense had trouble containing the Oregon offense, as do most teams in the country, the Colonels were able to move the ball against Ducks. Nicholls finished with 343 yards of total offense and recorded 22 first downs, but could only turn the production into three points.

Head coach Charlie Stubbs went into the Oregon game expecting to play both quarterbacks – starter Beaux Hebert and Kalen Henderson – but Henderson took over the reins earlier than expected after Hebert left the game in the first quarter with a head injury. Henderson took the rest of the snaps, throwing for 214 yards on 21 of 40 attempts. The transfer from Tulsa's biggest play of the day came in the third quarter on a 56-yard pass to Erik Buchanan.

While senior running back Marcus Washington had a respectable game on the ground (13 carries, 40 yards) against Oregon, the Preseason All-Southland honoree was the main weapon in the Colonel passing game. Washington set career highs in both receptions (11) and receiving yards (92) as he finished with 132 all-purpose yards on 24 touches.

The Colonels will be facing a Western Michigan defense that limited Michigan State to one offensive touchdown in the Broncos' 26-13 loss last week.  Along with only allowing one touchdown, the Broncos held MSU to 297 yards of total offense, including just 116 passing yards. WMU's defense was led by Donald Celiscar, who was named MAC West Defensive Player of the Week after finishing with 10 tackles and two pass breakups.

Like the Colonels, the Bronco offense faced a similar setback as starting quarterback Tyler Van Tubbergen left with an injury in the second quarter. Backup Zach Terrell came in and tossed a touchdown pass on his first career snap, hitting tight end Clark Mussman for a 14-yard score. Terrell finished the game with 120 yards, two TDs and an interception on 12 of 28 passing. WMU's primary receiver was freshman Corey Davis, who tallied 96 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions.

Western Michigan leads the all-time series 2-0, with both wins coming at home. The Broncos defeated Nicholls in consecutive seasons, knocking off the Colonels 49-14 in 2010 and 38-7 in 2011.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Nicholls vs. Western Michigan Game 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), Erik Solberg (sideline)
Colonels on the Internet: www.klrzfm.com, www.la1063.com
TV Coverage: ESPN3
Broadcast Team: Dan Gutowsky (play by play), Forrest Conoly (color)