• The Nicholls State University football team returns from its bye week to host defending Southland champion Stephen F. Austin. The Colonels wrapped up their first half of the season with a road loss at HCU while SFA, also coming off a bye, hung on for a two-point win over UIW to remain undefeated. Kickoff on Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. and the game will air on ESPN+.

• The all-time series between Nicholls and SFA dates back to 1984 with the Lumberjacks holding a 27-11 advantage. With its 34-7 victory last year in Nacogdoches, SFA has won the last two after Nicholls reeled four consecutive victories from 2016-19. SFA left the Southland but returned in 2024 and notched a 28-12 win in 2024 in Thibodaux to end the drought. The Colonels' winning streak started with a 35-28 double-overtime thriller at Guidry Stadium in 2016, then the Colonels picked up a rare road win in the series with a 34-13 victory in '17. Nicholls won the next meeting 47-14 at home before going on the road for a 48-30 victory in '19.

• While the Colonels have posted a solid record at home under second-year head coach Tommy Rybacki, Nicholls came up short in earning its first road win since 2024 after the 16-2 loss at HCU two weeks ago. The defense allowed three drives into Colonel territory but held the Huskies out of the end zone, resulting in a 9-0 deficit at halftime. The defense then shut out the Huskies in the second half but an interception return gave HCU a 16-0 lead. The offense found  success but was short on a 4th-and-goal try from the 1, however, on the next play the Huskies were flagged for holding and it resulted in a safety. The Colonels then manufactured a pair of drives into the red zone in the fourth quarter but HCU forced turnover on downs to keep the score at 16-2 en route to the win. 

• For the second time in as many seasons, Nicholls will welcome a Top 5 opponent to Guidry Stadium as Stephen F. Austin is ranked No. 3 in both Top 25 polls. The Colonels opened the 2025 season against No. 5/4 UIW, which was also defending champions, and picked up a 20-6 Week 0 victory over the Cardinals. SFA has won all three of its league games along with victories over Abilene Christian, Prairie View A&M, and a non-Division I opponent. The Colonels are looking to improve to 3-1 at home this season. 
 

A WIN OVER SFA WOULD...

... be the second Top 5 win under Tommy Rybacki (victory over No. 5/4 UIW in '25).
... put the Colonels at 3-2 against FCS competition this season.
... give Nicholls its fifth win in the last seven matchups with the Lumberjacks.
... improve the Colonels' home record to 7-2 under Coach Rybacki.
... even Nicholls' league mark at 2-2. The Colonels have finished .500 or better in nine of the last 10 seasons.

BY THE NUMBERS

11 -- The Colonels have created 11 turnovers this season, ranking 21st in the FCS. Nicholls had six turnovers against MVSU -- three picks, two fumbles and a botched kick return, a fumble recovery at Kansas State, and two interceptions and another fumble against UTRGV. Last home game vs. Lamar, Skylar Husband notched his second interception of the season. In 2025, Nicholls finished 17th in the FCS with 21 turnovers gained.

70 -- Running back Tamaj Hoffman rushed for a career-high 70 yards in the last outing at HCU. Hoffman has been the primary back the last two game, notching 16 carries in both outings.

78 -- Sophomore punter Pharrell Harewood booted a career long 78-yarder last outing at HCU. Early in the fourth, Harewood launched a punt standing on the Nicholls 5-yard line and the ball trickled out of bounds at the at the HCU 6. Helped by his long punt, Harewood averaged 53.5 yards on four punts in the game.  

122 -- Receiver Jordan Smith posted a career and team season-high 122 yards receiving last game at HCU. Smith also set a new high of nine receptions before leaving the game with an injury.

LAST MEETING
Oct. 18, 2025
No. 25 SFA -- 34
Nicholls -- 7

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Nicholls State University football team dropped its sixth consecutive game with a 34-7 loss to No. 25 Stephen F. Austin at Homer Bryce Stadium. (FULL RECAP)

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