• The Nicholls State University football team football team wraps up head coach Tommy Rybacki's inaugural season with a trip across the Mississippi for the annual River Bell Classic against Southeastern. The Colonels are looking for their fifth league win and a sweep of the Louisiana Southland programs while the Lions are fighting for a possible playoff spot. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will air on ESPN+.

• The River Bell Classic is the true definition of a rivalry as the all-time series is as close as it could possibly be with Southeastern holding an 18-17 advantage following a last-second win in Thibodaux to close out the 2024 season. The win marked the fourth straight at Guidry Stadium for the Lions and the Colonels will be looking for their fourth-straight victory road win as well in the series. Following a loss in Hammond in 2017, Nicholls returned to Strawberry Stadium in '19 and won a 28-27 thriller in the championship bout against SLU. The Colonels then won 45-42 in a shootout in '21, and in '23, outlasted the Lions, 21-17, to claim their first undefeated Southland season.

• Nicholls secured a perfect 4-0 mark at home in league play after knocking off Northwestern State, 26-21, in its Guidry Stadium finale. The Colonels had a great start in the rivalry matchup thanks to two Shane Lee touchdown runs, but the Demons responded in a big way and took a 21-19 lead into the break. The Colonels shut out NSU the rest of the way, allowing just 85 yards in the second half, and Lee's third touchdown run gave Nicholls the lead with seven minutes to go. The Demons threatened to steal a victory in the final minute but Laurence Sullivan Jr. picked off a pass at the goal line off a Ty Marsh deflection to secure the win. Although it was Senior Day, Lee, a redshirt freshman, stole the show with 134 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

• Southeastern heads into the Classic coming off a hard-fought 10-7 victory on the road at UIW.  Points were at a premium in the matchup as there were four missed field goals, including the Lions blocking the potential game-tying try by UIW in the final seconds. The Lions feature the third-highest scoring offense in the league at 32.9 points per game, but their defense has been one of the best in the nation as well, ranking seventh in yards allowed and 12th in points allowed.

A WIN OVER SOUTHEASTERN WOULD...

... even up the all-time series at 18-18 and improve the Colonels' record in Hammond to 10-7.
... secure a four-game road winning streak in the series for a second time (1981, '83, '85, 2005).
... give Nicholls a sweep against the Louisiana Southland schools. The Colonels last went 3-0 vs. Southeastern, McNeese and Northwestern State in the championship 2019 season. Nicholls beat SLU and McNeese in 2023 but the win over NSU was via forfeit.
... be the first career road win for first-year head coach Tommy Rybacki.
... snap a nine-game road losing streak.
... be the first Southland road win for the Colonels since the 2023 River Bell Classic.

BY THE NUMBERS
 

4 -- Laurence Sullivan Jr. ended the game against Northwestern State with his fourth interception of the season, which is tied for first in the SLC. Sullivan had a two-pick game earlier this season against HCU.

15 -- The Colonel defense has 15 interceptions -- four by Laurence Sullivan Jr., who leads the Southland, three by Ethan Lee and Anthony Rogers, two by Ty Marsh, and one each from Hayden Shaheen, Aidan McCowan, and Travin Moore. Nicholls ranks 3rd in the FCS and ranked third in the nation last season with 19. 

21 -- For the third straight year, the Colonels are looking to finish in the Top 10 of the FCS in turnovers gained.Nicholls has 21 gained this year and ranks 4th in the FCS.

91 -- The Nicholls roster features 91 Louisiana natives, which is the most of any Division I roster this season. The Colonels have held the distinction for most of Tommy Rybacki's tenure on staff. 

100 -- The Colonels' top two tacklers, Jake Dalmado (89) and Hayden Shaheen (88), are looking to become the first duo to record 100 tackles each since 2019 (Kevin Moore, III & Laryon James).

123 -- Although Nicholls has not had a 100-yard receiver this season, the last Colonel to do so was Scrappy Osby in last year's River Bell Class. Osby had four receptions for 123 yards, scoring on an 84-yard catch against the Lions.

134 -- Redshirt freshman Shane Lee posted his second 100-yard game of the season, rushing for 134 yards on 14 carries against Northwestern State. Lee scored the game's first two touchdowns, including a 59-yard rush, and finished his day with the game-winner with seven minutes to go. 

 

LAST MEETING
Nov. 21, 2024
Southeastern -- 19
Nicholls -- 16

THIBODAUX, La. - The Nicholls State University football team came out on the wrong side of a thrilling River Bell Classic when Southeastern booted a game-winning field goal as time expired as the Colonels suffered a 19-16 loss Thursday night in their season finale at Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium. (FULL RECAP)

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