#FIRSTFIVE

• The Nicholls Colonels (0-4, 0-2 SLC) will play their fourth road game in the first five weeks of their 2015 schedule as they head to Nacogdoches to take on the winless Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (0-5, 0-3 SLC). The Colonels will be looking to end their 22-game losing streak, which started back in 2013 with a 55-41 loss at SFA. 

• The Colonels played at John L. Guidry Stadium for the first time this season on Oct. 3, and despite an extremely enthusiastic crowd in Thibodaux, the nationally-ranked visiting McNeese State Cowboys took care of business with a 37-7 victory over the Red and Gray. Nicholls found itself down 27-0 late in the first half before Damion Jeanpiere broke free for a 52-yard touchdown reception. 

• The Lumberjacks have won the last seven meetings over Nicholls to improve its all-time record in the series to 24-7. Last season, SFA came into Thibodaux and defeated Nicholls, 42-20, behind 202 yards rushing and three touchdowns by All-Southland running back Gus Johnson. The Colonels had their own success in the running game as both Michael Henry and Tobias Lofton rushed for over 100 yards.

• A familiar face will be roaming the SFA sidelines as the Lumberjacks are led by Colonel Hall of Fame linebacker Clint Conque. A native of Baton Rouge and graduate of Catholic High, Conque received All-American honors for Nicholls in 1982. Conque was the head coach at Central Arkansas from 2000-13, where he posted a 6-2 record against his alma mater. Last season in Thibodaux, he led the 'Jacks to victory in his only matchup against the Colonels as the head coach at SFA.

• The Colonels are coming off their third winless campaign in program history. The team went 0-11 in 1995, but put together one of the best turnarounds in FCS history, going 8-4 in the next season which included an appearance in the FCS Playoffs. Coincidentally, Coach Rebowe was part of the staff in '96 that led the Colonels to the remarkable improvement after going winless in the prior season.


BY THE NUMBERS

2 - 100-yard rushers for Nicholls in last year's matchup with SFA as both Michael Henry (136, 2 TDs) and Tobias Lofton (104, 1 TD) broke the century mark.

4 - In 2014, RB Michael Henry rushed for over 100 yards in four conference games. His career outing came at Northwestern State where he rushed for 146 yards

5 - After not having a catch in his first three games, true freshman Damion Jeanpiere hauled in fi ve catches for 112 yards against McNeese State. His biggest grab came on a 52-yard touchdown before halftime.

7 - SFA has won the last seven meetings against Nicholls, which is the longest winning streak for the 'Jacks in the all-time series


ALL-TIME SERIES vs SFA

Series Record: SFA, 24-7
in Nacogdoches: SFA, 10-4
First Meeting: 10/20/84 @ SFA; NICH 25-21
Last Meeting: 10/11/14 @ NICH; SFA  42-20 (RECAP)
Most Points Scored (by both): 96, 2013
Most Points Scored by NICH: 41, 2004 & 2013
Most Points Scored by SFA: 55, 2013


SCOUTING THE LUMBERJACKS

• Stephen F. Austin heads into the matchup against Nicholls at 0-5 on the year. Two of the losses have been at home as SFA fell to Northern Arizona, 34-28, in its season opener and lost to McNeese, 28-14, in the conference opener.

• The Lumberjacks are coming off a 34-28 loss to Sam Houston State in the annual Battle of the Piney Woods in Houston. Special teams played a huge roll in the loss as Sam Houston had two punt returns for touchdowns, with the last give the Bearkats the lead for good at 24-21 late in the third. 

• After a 213-yard day against Sam Houston, freshman RB Loren Easly soared up the Southland rankings in rushing yards, placing second at 90.8 yards per game. Easly was named STATS National Freshman of the Year for his efforts in the loss.

• The SFA offense is led by QB Zach Conque, who has been responsible for 10 of the offenses' 16 touchdowns (6 pass, 4 rush). Conque is averaging 152.6 yards passing and 50 yards rushing in the first five games.


ON THIS DATE IN COLONEL HISTORY ...

• Nicholls is 2-1-1 on Oct. 10, posting wins against Southern. The other two games came against Sam Houston St., where Nicholls tied and lost one to the Bearkats.

1981    Southern    W    56-14    H
1987    Southern    W    27-11    A
1992    Sam Houston St.*    T    19-19    H
2009    Sam Houston St.*    L    21-44    A


SOUTHLAND WEEKLY COACHES' CALL (REBOWE STARTS AT 13:40)