THIBODAUX, La. – The Nicholls State University football team aims for its first win of the year as the Colonels take on Southland Conference newcomer Incarnate Word on Saturday, Nov. 1, for Homecoming.
 
Kickoff at John L. Guidry Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m. The Colonel Sports Radio Network will carry the game live, and a video stream is available on Colonels All-Access on geauxcolonels.com.
 
In addition to Homecoming, the Colonels will wear their black uniforms as part of the Blackout Game. All students and fans in attendance are encouraged to wear black. Fans can also swing by the MidSouth Bank tailgate to pick up a black Homecoming t-shirt.
 
The matchup between Nicholls (0-9, 0-5 SLC) and Incarnate Word (1-7, 1-4 SLC) will be the first ever meeting for the programs. UIW is in its first official season with the Southland and is coming off a 41-21 loss to ranked McNeese State. Nicholls saw its losing streak extend to 15 games after falling at Houston Baptist, 31-21. UIW defeated HBU earlier this season at home, 31-8.
 
For the Colonels, senior Beaux Hebert made his second start of the season, finishing with career-highs in passing yards (186), completions (17) and pass attempts (28) at HBU while also connecting with Demon Bolt for a career-long 60-yard touchdown pass. Hebert is slated to start for the Colonels, who are averaging 162.8 yards passing per game, ranking ninth in the league.
 
While Hebert gave the passing game a little spark last weekend, the duo of Michael Henry and Tobias Lofton continue to produce in the backfield. Henry rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns at HBU and is now averaging an even 100 yards rushing per contest in conference. Lofton needed only 10 carries to reach 88 yards, helped by a 40-yard run. On the year, Lofton is averaging 5.7 yards per carry with 373 yards on the ground and three touchdowns.
 
On defense, Nicholls gave up 31 points to the Huskies, which was the second lowest point total allowed on the season for the Colonels. Senior linebacker Davin Bovie led the way, recording 11 tackles for his third consecutive outing of 10 or more tackles. Of his 11 stops, 10 were credited as solo, moving him up to second in the Football Championship Subdivision with 6.9 solo tackles per game.
 
UIW is directed on offense by quarterback Jordan Scelfo, who is making his second start of the season. Against McNeese, Scelfo passed for 254 yards and two touchdowns, but also tossed four interceptions. The Nicholls defense came up with three interceptions against Lamar two weeks ago, but was unable to pick one off at HBU.
 
In the backfield, Junior Sessions has been the feature back for the Cardinals, rushing for 321 yards with two touchdowns. On defense, Padyn Giebler heads the team with 6.5 tackles per game and has one sack.
 
Nicholls will have next weekend off before returning to the field to play rival Northwestern State on Saturday, Nov. 15 in Natchitoches.
 
MEDIA COVERAGE
Game Notes: Nicholls | UIW
Radio Coverage: ESPN 100.3 FM (New Orleans); KJIN 1490 AM (Houma);   
KBZE 105.9 FM (Morgan City); KFRA 1390 AM (Franklin)
Broadcast Team: Mike Wagenheim (play by play), Seth Thomas (color), Brennan Matherne (sideline)
Video Stream: Colonels All-Access
Live Stats: geauxcolonels.com