Colonels All-Access Interview with Byron Cobb

THIBODAUX, La. – After going winless in non-conference for the first time since 2008, the Nicholls State University football team will look to right the ship in conference play as they open up their Southland schedule at Central Arkansas at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27 at Estes Stadium.
 
The game between the Colonels (0-4) and Bears (1-3) will be televised on the Southland Conference Television Network, which features over 25 affiliates across the region, plus national and online outlets. Louisiana affiliates include WUPL (54.1) in New Orleans, WBTR (41) in Baton Rouge, KLFY (10.2) in Lafayette, KVHP (29.2) in Lake Charles, KLAX (31.2) in Alexandria and KPXJ (21.1) in Shreveport. For a complete list, please click here.
 
Nicholls closed out its non-conference slate last Saturday at North Texas, falling to the Mean Green 77-3. The loss was the Colonels' 10th consecutive setback and matched the largest margin of defeat in program history. The Colonels struggled in all three phases in the loss as the defense allowed 56 points; the offense had two interceptions returned for touchdowns and the Mean Green scored once off of a punt return.
 
The Colonels had success running the ball last season, averaging nearly 200 yards rushing per game, but that hasn't been the case so far this year. Nicholls failed to reach 100 yards rushing for the fourth time in as many games this season; however, running back Michael Henry ran for a career-high 95 yards on 19 carries in the last game at North Texas. Since taking over as the feature back with three games remaining last season, Henry has rushed for 90 and 95 yards in the two games where he had at least 10 carries.
 
After splitting time last weekend, Kalen Henderson is listed as the starter at quarterback with Beaux Hebert at No. 2. In four starts this season, Henderson has passed for 438 yards and one touchdown, but has three interceptions and is completing just 48 percent of his passes. Hebert has played in all four games, passing for 300 yards and a score, completing 69 percent of his passes.
 
Despite its 1-3 record, Central Arkansas has been just outside of the FCS Top 25 for most of the season after losing a close 42-35 battle with Texas Tech in its season opener. UCA notched its only win against Tennessee-Martin, picking up a 26-24 victory in week two. The Bears fell at ranked Montana State, 43-33, before losing at home last week to Missouri State, 33-31.
 
With the Colonels' rush defense ranked last in the FCS at 392.5 yards per game, UCA's Willie Matthews could be a focal point in the Bears' attack. Matthews leads the team with 243 yards rushing and four touchdowns, averaging 4.0 yards per tote. In last year's 17-10 win by UCA against the Colonels, Matthews had 78 yards on 19 carries.
 
Directing the Bear offense are quarterbacks Ryan Howard and Taylor Reed. Howard is averaging 188.0 yards passing with eight touchdowns, while Reed has 367 yards in the air with one score. Reed also has one rushing touchdown, averaging 31.7 yards rushing per game.
 
Dezmin Lewis has been the main target for UCA's quarterbacks, leading the Southland with 90.0 yards receiving per game. On the year, Lewis has 22 receptions for 360 yards and one touchdown. His lone score came last week as he caught a short pass and ran 90 yards for the conference's longest offensive touchdown of the year.
 
UCA leads the all-time series with a 6-2 record, helped by its current five-game winning streak. The Colonels have never won in Conway, posting a 0-3 mark. In the 2012 meeting on "The Stripes", Nicholls led 14-13 at the break but the Bears scored 21 unanswered points in the second half.
 
Nicholls will wrap up its road swing next Saturday at McNeese State. Kickoff in Lake Charles is scheduled for 6 p.m.

MEDIA COVERAGE
Nicholls Game Notes
Central Arkansas Game Notes
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), Steve Holley (sideline)
TV: Southland Conference Television Network (See below for affiliates)
Broadcast Team: Randy McIlvoy (Play by Play), Shea Walker (Color), Erin Cofiell (Sideline)
Video Stream: Southland Digital Network
Live Stats: ucasports.com
 

LIVE COVERAGE
Arkansas
Fayetteville-Fort Smith	Cox 78/2078
Little Rock-Pine Bluff	KARZ 42.1 (MyNetwork)
Texarkana	KPXJ 21.1 (CW)
Florida
Jacksonville	WJXT 4.2 (This TV)
Louisiana
Alexandria	KLAX 31.2 (Me-TV)
Baton Rouge	WBTR 41
Lafayette	KLFY 10.2 (Live Well)
Lake Charles	KVHP 29.2 (CW)
New Orleans	WUPL 54.1 (MyNetwork)
Shreveport	KPXJ 21.1 (CW)
Texas
Abilene-Sweetwater	KIDZ 15.2 (MyNetwork)
Amarillo	KCPN 19.2 (MyNetwork)
Austin	KBVO 14.1 (MyNetwork)
Beaumont-Port Arthur	KUIL 12.5 (MyNetwork)
Corpus Christi	KDF 47
Dallas-Fort Worth	KTXD 47.1 (Me-TV)
El Paso	KVIA 7.2 (CW)
Houston	KUBE 57.1
Lubbock	KMYL 22.2 (MyNetwork)
Midland-Odessa	KWWT 30.1 (Me-TV)
San Angelo	KIDY 6.2 (MyNetwork)
San Antonio	KMYS 35.1 (CW)
Tyler-Longview	KCEB 54.1 (Me-TV)
Waco-Temple-Bryan	KCEN 6.2 (Cozi TV)
Mid-Atlantic Region	The Comcast Network
Rocky Mountain Region	Altitude Sports
National	ESPN GamePlan PPV
Online
Southland Digital Network	Southland.org/watch and Southland Conference App
ESPN3	WatchESPN.com, WatchESPN App
TAPE-DELAYED COVERAGE
Oklahoma City	Cox 3/703	6 p.m., CT, Saturday
Tulsa	Cox 3/703	12 noon, CT, Sunday
National	Fox College Sports Central	5 p.m., CT, Sunday
Regional	Comcast SportsNet Houston	8 a.m., CT, Sunday
Regional	Cox Sports Television	7 p.m., CT, Monday