THIBODAUX, La.  – The Nicholls State University football team will kickoff its 43rd season on Saturday, Aug. 30, when the Colonels fly out to Colorado to take on the Air Force Academy at 1 p.m. at Falcon Stadium. The game will be streamed live online on ESPN3.
 
In addition to the live video stream, the second all-time matchup between the schools can be listened to on the recently expanded Colonel Sports Radio Network. Coverage begins at 10:30 on KNSU 91.5 FM. Please click here for all available stations.
 
The Colonels are an even .500 all-time in season openers, holding a 21-21 record. The Colonels' last win in an opener came at home against Evangel in 2011. Nicholls has lost six straight openers on the road, with the last win coming in 2007 over FBS Rice.
 
Nicholls and Air Force met five years ago in Colorado Springs in the teams' opener, with the Falcons handing the Red and Gray its second-worst loss in program history with a 72-0 shutout. Air Force went on to an 8-5 record and a bowl win while Nicholls finished at 3-8.
 
The 2014 Colonels head into the matchup looking to duplicate its fast start from last season, which included the program's third-ever win over an FBS team. After a loss at top-ranked Oregon, head coach Charlie Stubbs' squad defeated Western Michigan, 27-23, to spark a 4-2 start. However, a mixture of injuries and poor defensive play led to a six-game losing streak to close out the year.
 
Nicholls will have to shore up its run defense, which ranked in the bottom five of the FCS last season in rushing yards allowed (270.8 ypg), as the Falcons feature a triple-option attack on offense. In 2013, Air Force pumped out 262.7 yards per game on the ground, versus just under 105 yards in the air.
 
Under new defensive coordinator Steve Adams, the Colonel defense put together a strong fall camp, limiting the offense to less than 100 yards rushing in each of the two scrimmages. While the defense is led by a pair of senior preseason All-Southland honorees, cornerback Byron Cobb and linebacker Davin Bovie, 12 players listed on the depth chart are underclassmen, including starting defensive lineman Lazarus Ona, linebackers Ronnie Walker and Geoffry Hebert, and safety B.T. Sanders.
 
Leading the offense will be senior quarterback Kalen Henderson, who was named starter on Friday. Henderson shined in his only start last season, directing the Colonels to a 21-9 lead at Western Michigan before he suffered a leg injury that sidelined him for over a month. In two quarters, Henderson completed 8-of-11 passes for 159 yards, rushed for 87 yards on six carries and accounted for two touchdowns. He returned to the gridiron later in the season, throwing for 785 yards and four TDs on the year in six games played.
 
With their two top running backs from last season graduating, the Colonels will rely on junior Michael Henry and transfer Tobias Lofton to lead a stable of backs. In the final three games of 2013, Henry rushed for 161 yards and one touchdown on 30 carries, averaging 5.4 yards per rush. He also posed as a threat in the passing game, catching 11 balls for 123 yards during that span.
 
The receiving core features three newcomers on the depth chart, but all three are transfers with significant experience. Keenan Canty will start for the Colonels after playing three years at Colorado, while Kyron King and Hakeem Flowers played at the NAIA and junior college levels, respectively. Leading the veterans for Nicholls are senior Demon Bolt (14 rec., 250 yds, 2 TDs), Xavier Marcus (17-260-2), Darryl Watson II (14-124) and senior tight end Nick Scelfo (9-116-1).
 
On offense, Air Force will start senior quarterback Kale Pearson, who is also coming off a significant knee injury suffered in game one last season that sidelined him for the entire year. Although the Falcons lost their top rusher from last season, Broam Hart returns after rushing for 469 yards and two scores. For the receivers, sophomore Jalen Robinette averaged 18.2 yards on 16 catches in 2013 while junior Garrett Brown hauled in 19 receptions for 237 yards.
 
The Falcons also struggled on defense last year, allowing 40 points per game and ranked 10th in the Mountain West in rushing yards allowed (250.6 ypg). But Air Force boasts a wealth of experience from the 2013 defense, bringing back a total of eight starters. Anchoring the defense are defensive back Christian Spears (92 tkls, 2 INT) and linebacker Dexter Walker (91 tkls).
 
Air Force has an unblemished mark against teams from the FCS, posting an 18-0 record. The Falcons have also won 16 consecutive home openers against unranked opponents.
 
Following next weekend's matchup with Arkansas, the Colonels will open their home slate on Sept. 13 against NCAA Division II power Henderson State. Kickoff for the Hall of Fame Game is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
For season tickets, please call the Nicholls Athletics Ticket Office during normal business hours at 985-448-4790, or visit the official athletics website at geauxcolonels.com.
 
MEDIA COVERAGE
Nicholls Game Notes
Air Force Game Notes
Radio Coverage: KNSU 91.5 FM (Thibodaux); KJIN 1490 AM (Houma); ESPN 100.3 FM (New Orleans);      
*KBZE 105.9 FM (Morgan City); KFRA 1390 AM (Franklin)
Broadcast Team: Mike Wagenheim (play by play), Gary Barbaro (color), Steve Holley (sideline)
TV Coverage: ESPN3
Broadcast Team: Peter Young (play by play), Pat Hill (color)