No. 14/14 Southeastern Lions at No. 25/RV Nicholls Colonels
Thibodaux, Louisiana (Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium)
Saturday, October 9 at 12 p.m. CT
Nicholls Game Notes (PDF) | SLU Game Notes(PDF)
TV: CST/ESPN+ LINK
Audio: ESPN Radio New Orleans 100.3 FM | TuneIn
Live Stats: Link
Hurricane Relief Donation: Link
Tickets: Link
FIRST FIVE
• The Nicholls State University football team ends its three-game home stand with the first of two matchups against rival No. 14 Southeastern Louisiana University. While the teams normally play for the River Bell, the iconic trophy will not be up for grabs until the regular season finale on Nov. 18 in Hammond. The 31st meeting between the programs is set for a noon kickoff and the game will air on CST, online via ESPN+ and can be listened to on ESPN Radio New Orleans 100.3 FM.
• Having played a total of 30 games against each other, Nicholls and Southeastern enter Saturday deadlocked at 15-15 in the all-time series. The only spring game ever in the series followed suit of a some of the previous matchups as Southeastern escaped Thibodaux in a wild contest, winning 52-45. Nicholls let a halftime lead slip away and the Lions took control with four interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. Despite the miscues, the Colonels had a chance late to tie the game in the finals seconds but two Hail Mary attempts from midfield were unsuccessful. Although it turned out to be one of the most memorable games in the series, both teams missed out on the trimmed down 16-team 2021 Spring FCS Playoffs.
• Nicholls improved to 2-0 at home and 2-0 against the FCS this season after winning its Southland Conference opener, 48-17, against the HBU Huskies. Unlike the win two weeks ago against North Alabama, there was no slow start as the Colonels raced out to a 28-0 lead early in the second quarter. HBU answered with two touchdowns before the half, but Nicholls went on to claim its sixth consecutive win over the Huskies with a 48-17 triumph. The Colonel offense cranked out 650 yards of total offense -- the most in the Tim Rebowe area -- while the defense limited HBU to just 182 yards. Nicholls rushed for 421 yards, also a high under Rebowe, and had three 100-yard rushers. All three of HBU's scores were aided by Colonel turnovers which was the only blemish for the Red and Gray as they totaled five against the Huskies.
• The Colonels had issues dealing with Hurricane Ida, being displaced for 10 days and finally returning home on Sept. 11, and farther north, Southeastern also felt the effects of one of the worst storms to pass through Louisiana. The Lions ended up opening the season at North Alabama (W, 49-28) instead of hosting them, then stayed on the road until their meeting the following weekend against Louisiana Tech (L, 45-42). After a blowout win at Central Connecticut State (56-10), Southeastern decided to postpone its Sept. 25 home meeting against Northwestern State to Nov. 13. Last weekend, the Lions survived a late comeback at McNeese, improving to 3-1 with a 38-35 victory. SLU's first home game is slated for next weekend (Oct. 16) against HBU.
• After falling out of the rankings following their opening loss at FBS Memphis, Nicholls made its return at No. 25 in this week's Stats Perform FCS Top 25. The Colonels joined No. 14 Southeastern and No. 20 UIW in the poll, which happen to be Nicholls' next two opponents. SLU is also No. 14 in the AFCA Coaches Poll, while the Colonels and Cardinals are receiving votes.
BY THE NUMBERS
3 - The Colonels have had two 100-yard rushers in the same game seven times under Coach Rebowe, but Saturday against HBU marked the first time the team had three 100-yard rushers. Lindsey Scott Jr. rushed for a career-high 143 yards, Julien Gums had 105 yard on just six carries, and Marquese Albert notched his first career 100-yard game with 108 on 16 carries.
101 - While Dai'Jean Dixon garners most of the attention when it comes to the passing game, slot receiver K.J. Franklin caught a touchdown pass in the first three games this season before registering his first career 100-yard game in the win against HBU. A graduate of St. Amant, Franklin hauled in four receptions for 101 yards, highlighted by a career-long 44-yard grab.
421 - The Colonel offense racked up 421 yards rushing in the win over HBU, which was the most under head coach Tim Rebowe. Nicholls has crossed the 400-yard plateau three times in Rebowe's tenure, first back in his inaugural season (2015) when the Colonels rushed for 415 yards against Lamar in his first road Southland road win. Nicholls then rushed for 418 in a blowout win at Stephen F. Austin two years later.
A WIN OVER SOUTHEASTERN WOULD...
... put Coach Rebowe's home record at 26-8. Three of the losses came in his first season ('15).
... give Nicholls a 16-15 lead in the all-time series. The Colonels have split the six meetings against SLU under Coach Rebowe.
... give Nicholls a 2-0 start in the Southland Conference for only the fourth time since joining the league ('07, '19, '20).
... be the seventh win over a ranked opponent in the Rebowe era. Last was in the spring in the 75-45 victory against No. 13 UIW.
THE 600 CLUB
Nicholls racked up 650 yards of offense in the victory over HBU, which is the highest output in the Tim Rebowe era. Under OC Rob Christophel, the Colonels have six 600-yard games -- three in 2018, and two in the spring of 2021.
650 - HBU, 2021
639 - Lamar, 2021 (Spring)
616 - HBU, 2018
614 - UIW, 2021 (Spring)
613 - Lamar, 2018
606 - San Diego, 2018
THE GUIDRY GRIS-GRIS
One of the team goals under Tim Rebowe has been to go undefeated at home.
- The Colonels completed the feat in 2018 in dominating fashion, winning six games in John L. Guidry Stadium for the first time in school history. In the six wins, the Colonels outscored the opposition, 265-99.
- Nicholls was 5-0 in the regular season at home in 2017 as well, but fell in the playoff game to South Dakota.
- Overall, the Colonels have won 19 of their last 22 games in Thibodaux.
