#FIRSTFIVE
• The Nicholls Colonels (1-6, 1-4 SLC) will look to put together a home winning streak as they welcome instate rival Northwestern State (1-6, 1-4 SLC) for Family Day. Both teams are coming off losses last Saturday on the road against the top two teams in the league as Nicholls fell 37-7 to #8 Sam Houston and NSU was defeated 47-27 by #10 McNeese State.

• Tim Rebowe is 1-1 at home in his first season as the Colonels' head coach. After a 37-7 loss to top-ranked McNeese State, Rebowe led Nicholls to a 38-17 victory over Houston Baptist on Oct. 17. 

• Although the teams have a combined two wins on the season, records do not matter when a rivalry trophy is on the line. Despite Nicholls no longer going by NSU, the teams play for the N-S-U Trophy in a series what's known as the "NSU Challenge". The challenge started in 1993 by the Universities' student government to add some extra incentive to the already heated rivalry. The trophy currently resides in Natchitoches after the Demons won at home last season, 48-21. The Demons hold a 14-8 record over Nicholls since the challenge was implemented. 

• Saturday marks the 43rd meeting between the in-state programs with the Demons holding a 27-15 advantage after last year's win. In 21 games in Thibodaux, the Colonels have a slim advantage with an 11-10 record. The last meeting at Guidry Stadium was in 2013 when the Colonels cruised to a 33-21 victory after building a 26-point lead through three quarters. 

• The Colonels will be facing two of their former head coaches - Jay Thomas, who directed the program from 2004-09, and Daryl Daye, who was the head coach from 1999-2003.  Thomas compiled a 24-27 mark at Nicholls and a 17-20 record in Southland play during his six-year tenure. Thomas' most notable accomplishment was the program's only Southland Conference championship which he led the Colonels to the title in 2005. Thomas, who is 1-1 against his former team, is in his third season as head coach at Northwestern State. Daye posted his best season in 2002, leading Nicholls to a 7-4 mark as the squad led the NCAA in rushing offense. Daye is in his first season under Thomas at NSU, serving as associate head coach and defensive coordinator.


BY THE NUMBERS

3 - Junior safety B.T. Sanders has three forced fumbles this season, which ranks eighth best in the FCS. All three have come in conference play

5 - The Colonels had five rushing touchdowns in the victory over HBU. The last time Nicholls had 5 or more came 9/22/12 in its blowout win over NAIA Evangel (6)

7 - Over the last 10 seasons, the NSU Trophy has changed sides seven times. Nicholls kept the trophy from 2009-10, but the Demons answered with two straight wins in 2011-12.

10 - Although Sam Houston scored four touchdowns helped by a short field, the Colonel defense forced the Bearkat offense to 10 punts in the loss

37th - While ranking second in the SLC in tackles with 8.9 per game, sophomore LB Hezekiah White is 37th in the FCS in solo stops, averaging 5.1 per contest.

80 - In the third quarter against Sam Houston, Tuskani Figaro gave Nicholls its only score against the Bearkats as he broke free for an 80-yard touchdown. Surprisingly, it was only Figaro's second longest rush as he went 88 yards for a TD in 2013 against Arkansas Tech


ON THIS DATE IN COLONEL HISTORY ...

• Nicholls is 1-4 all-time on Oct. 31. The last matchup came in Jay Thomas' final season as head coach with a loss against McNeese.

1981    ULM -- L -- 18-55 -- A
1987    Akron -- L -- 17-23 -- A
1992    Southern -- W -- 27-24 -- H
1998    Louisian Tech -- L -- 28-56 -- A
2009    McNeese State* -- L -- 17-38 -- H


SCOUTING THE DEMONS

• Northwestern State heads to Thibodaux looking for its second win of the season and first victory on the road. 

• The Demons defeated Lamar, 48-35, in Natichitoches on Oct. 17 and hung close with McNeese State last weekend before falling ,47-27, in Lake Charles to the undefeated Cowboys.

• NSU is led on offense by regeining special teams players of the week, Ed Eagan. A graduate of Holy Cross in New Orleans, Eagan ranks 15th in the FCS in all-purpose yards with 150 per game.

• The Demon defense has struggled in stopping the run this season, ranking last in the FCS at 297.0 yards per game. To NSU's credit, 635 rushing yards came in its two FBS games; however, Southeastern Louisiana racked up 438 yards in the conference opener. 


LAST MEETING
Nov. 15, 2014
Northwestern State 48, Nicholls 21

NATCHITOCHES, La. – Coming off a bye week, Nicholls looked rejuvenated at Northwestern State by scoring a touchdown on its opening drive, but the Demons reeled off five straight TDs as the Colonels fell 48-21 at Turpin Stadium. (RECAP)

NICH vs NSU SERIES HISTORY

Series Record: Northwestern State leads 27-15
in Thibodaux: Nicholls leads 11-10
First Meeting: 10/6/73 @ NICH; NICH 3-0
Last Meeting: 11/15/14 @ NSU; NSU, 48-21
Most Points Scored (combined): 70, 2003
Most Points Scored by NICH: 58, 2007
Most Points Scored by NSU: 48, 2014

LAST OUTING
Oct. 24, 2015
No. 9/10 Sam Houston State 37, Nicholls 7

HUNTSVILLE, Texas –  Turnovers and special teams gaffes by Nicholls led to 30 points for Sam Houston as the Colonels fell, 37-7, Saturday night in a torrential downpour at Bowers Stadium. (RECAP)


SOUTHLAND WEEKLY CONFERENCE CALL (COACH REBOWE STARTS AT THE 6:10 MARK)



UP NEXT

Nicholls will head back to Texas to face the Lamar Cardinals on Saturday, Nov. 7. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.