• The Nicholls State University football team puts a bow on its nonconference slate with a trip to Kentucky to face the EKU Colonels. As the only two "Colonels" in the FCS, it marks the first ever meeting between the two programs. Despite playing just four games each, both teams have a common opponent as both fell to nationally-ranked and undefeated West Georgia. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. central and the game will air on ESPN+.

• Nicholls is 1-1 against the FCS this season and is coming off its second FBS loss to a Sun Belt program. The Colonels played former SLC member Texas State last Saturday and fell 35-3 against the Bobcats. Nicholls was able to answer Texas State's opening TD drive with a field goal, but was shutout the rest of the game. Miequle Brock Jr. continued his strong season with 17 touches for 95 yards while Ty Marsh recorded a career-high 9 tackles.

• EKU opened up United Athletic Conference play last weekend with a 33-12 loss to No. 22 West Georgia. The Colonels started the year with a loss at Louisville, then knocked off Southland member HCU in their home opener, 20-10. EKU also played a second FBS opponent the following week with a 38-7 loss at Marshall. Last season, the Colonels finished the season 8-5 after earning an at-large berth in the FCS playoffs and falling in the opening round to Villanova.

• While the Nicholls defense has had trouble slowing down the opposition's running attack the last three games, the unit still ranks fifth in the FCS with nine turnovers gained including five interceptions. The Colonels also rank 12th in the nation in passing yards allowed at 147.3 per game. Ethan Lee leads the squad with two interceptions for the year.

A WIN OVER EKU WOULD...

... give head coach Tommy Rybacki his first road victory of his career.
... be the second consecutive year that Nicholls won a nonconference road game (Southern).
... give Nicholls a 1-0 lead in the all-time series against Eastern Kentucky. 
... put the Colonels at 2-1 against FCS competition this season. Nicholls defeated preseason No. 5 UIW and the loss came to undefeated and now nationally-ranked West Georgia.

BY THE NUMBERS

1.5 -- Although the offense has had trouble putting the ball in the end zone, Gabriel Showalter ranks 9th in the FCS with 1.5 made field goals per game. He has six made on the season and is a perfect 3-for-3 in the 40-yard range.

36 -- Ethan Lee leads the Colonel defense with 36 tackles this season, ranking 30th in the FCS. He had a career-high 12 at Troy and is coming off a seveon-tackle game against Texas State.

65 -- Freshman punter Pharrell Harewood has had five punts over 50 yards. In the last home game versus West Georgia, he recorded his season long with a 65-yarder.

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. 

147.3 -- The Nicholls defense is allowing 147.3 yards passing per game, which ranks 13th in the FCS. UIW had the most with 188 in the opener, followed Troy (144) and West Georgia (63). 

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