Nicholls Colonels at UTRGV Vaqueros
Edinburg, TX (Vackar Stadium)
Saturday, Nov. 8 – 5 p.m. CT 
 
 
 • Winners of back-to-back games, the Nicholls State University football team will look to take the momentum on the road as the Colonels make their farthest trip ever for a Southland game, taking on UTRGV in South Texas. The Colonels are searching for their first road win of 2025 while the Vaqueros aim to remain perfect at home in their inaugural season. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. and the game will air on ESPN+.
 
• Nicholls duplicated its score from two weeks ago, posting a 31-7 win over HCU last Saturday at Guidry Stadium. The game featured several highlights for the Red and Gray including four first-half interceptions by the defense, a halfback passes for a touchdown, a field goal return, and a highlight catch by fifth-year senior Dany'e Brooks for his first career touchdown. Quarterback Ean Rodrigue made his second-straight start and finished 17 of 22 for 174 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 89 yards and another score. Laurence Sullivan Jr. headlined the defensive effort with two interceptions, and running back Shane Lee threw his first career TD pass to Paxton Lafont, whose TD catch was the first of his career. The victory was the 10th in 12 all-time meetings against HCU.
 
• UTRGV is coming off a 41-17 road loss to ranked Stephen F. Austin which dropped the Vaqueros to 2-3 in league play in their first season. UTRGV has alternated wins and losses through five SLC games, falling at Southeastern and Lamar, while defeating HCU and UIW at home. The Vaqueros feature the No. 3 scoring offense in league games at 30.4 ppg and are led by quarterback Eddie Lee Marburger who is averaging over 200 yards passing with 13 touchdowns passes. Tony Diaz has been one of the top receivers in the Southland, averaging 83 yards to go along with three touchdown catches.
 
• While the Nicholls offense has improved over the last few weeks, the defense has been steady all season and holds several national rankings. As it's been the case the last two-plus seasons, the Colonels have been turnover bandits and rank second in the FCS in turnovers gained (19) and interceptions (13). In five conference games, Nicholls has a +13-turnover margin with 15 takeaways and only two turnovers. The unit also ranks seventh in the nation in passing yards allowed (161.3 ypg) and is 32nd in red zone defense.
 
A WIN OVER UTRGV WOULD…
 
... improve the Colonels' SLC record to 4-2, securing at least a .500 league record.
... be the first road victory of the season and first for head coach Tommy Rybacki.
... snap an eight-game road losing streak with the last win coming at Southern in 2024.
... give Nicholls its first road SLC victory since the 2023 River Bell Classic.
... be head coach Tommy Rybacki's fourth career victory.
... push the Colonels' winning streak to three games - a first since 2023.
... give Nicholls a 1-0 advantage in the series against UTRGV.
... be the first home loss for the Vaqueros who are currently 5-0.
 
 
BY THE NUMBERS
 
19 | For the second straight year, the Colonels finished in the Top 10 of the FCS in turnovers gained with 29 last season. Nicholls has 19 gained this year and ranks 2nd in the FCS.
 
161.3 | The Nicholls defense is allowing 161.3 yards passing per game, which ranks 7th in the FCS. Twice this season, the defense has allowed less than 100 yards passing.
 
437 | Nicholls is averaging 437 yards of offense and 31.0 points over the last two games. Through the first seven contests, which included two FBS games, the offense averaged 12.8 ppg and 269.7 ypg.
 
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