Nicholls Colonels vs. East Texas A&M Lions
Thibodaux, La. (Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium)
Saturday, Nov. 7 -- 3 p.m. CT 
ESPN+: LINK 
Live Stats: Link

• The Nicholls State University football team returns to Thibodaux for Homecoming to take on the East Texas A&M Lions on Saturday, Nov. 7. Nicholls is looking to snap a two-game skid at home, with both losses coming against nationally-ranked squads, while East Texas is coming off a win in the battle of the Lions, taking down Southeastern, 10-7. It marks the first meeting between the Colonels and Lions since 2023. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. and the game will air on ESPN+.

• Nicholls and McNeese not only had to square off against each other last week, as the weather played a significant role in the game. With heavy rain throughout, the passing game was non existent and ball control turned out to be the deciding factor. With the game still scoreless, Nicholls got down to the 1-yard line early in the second quarter before fumbling into the end zone with McNeese recovering for a touchback. Then trailing 7-3 in the third, the Colonels lined up for a 40-yard field goal and the hold was mishandled, leading to a scoop-and-score of 70 yards for McNeese. With the rain still causing problems, Nicholls was unable to put another drive together to mount a comeback. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak in the series against the Cowboys.

• East Texas brings an identical 3-6 overall record, but the Lions are a game up on Nicholls with a 3-3 Southland mark. East Texas has secured league victories over Northwestern State and UTRGV like the Colonels before their win last week against Southeastern. The only touchdown East Texas allowed in the 10-7 game came on a SLU punt return, and it was ET's special teams that would win it as Ozlo Rigby kicked a 49-yard field goal with less than two minutes remaining. The Lions are looking for their first winning season in conference since joining the Southland in 2022. 

• Nicholls and East Texas A&M will be playing for only the third time, and first since 2023.  In the first matchup, the Colonels grinded out a 12-10 win in Thibodaux in 2022. East Texas led 10-0 in the first half before Nicholls made a field goal in the second. The Colonels finished off the game with nine more unanswered points after halftime, highlighted by an Al'Dontre Davis touchdown catch. In 2023, Nicholls had a similar formula as they trailed 7-0 before pitching a shutout the rest of the way for a 27-7 victory on the road. The Colonels had three rushing touchdowns, led  by Collin Guggenheim's 78 yards and two scores. Nicholls went on to go undefeated in league play for their first outright SLC title and fourth overall.


 A WIN OVER EAST TEXAS A&M 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

3 -- Safety Skylar Husband ended the game at Northwestern State with his third interception of the season. With 4 seconds on the clock and NSU at the 15-yard line, Husband picked off a pass in the end zone as time expired for the victory. The three interceptions ranks 21st in the FCS.

13 -- Sophomore punter Pharrell Harewood continues to be an asset for special teams, booting three more punts over 50 yards to give him an SLC high 13 on the year. Against McNeese, Harewood punted nine time with a 49.7 average, had three inside the 20 and a long of 68.

15 -- The Colonels have created 15 turnovers this season, ranking 29th 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. Skylar Husband notched his second interception of the season against Lamar and in the last home game, Nicholls recovered two fumbles. Husband recorded his third pick of the year on the final play in the win at NSU, and Charlie Diedrich added one against McNeese. In 2025, Nicholls finished 17th in the FCS with 21 turnovers gained.

42 -- Freshman Kingston Phan improved to 6 for 6 in field goals this season with a 42-yarder before halftime against McNeese. He booted his long field goal of 43 yards right before the half against Lamar. 

261 -- Nicholls rushed for a season-high 261 yards at McNeese, helped by a pair of 100-yard rushers. Freshman Patrick Gales racked up 111 yards on 20 carries for his first career 100-yard game, while quarterback Chase Richardson recorded his second straight 100-plus game with 104 yards on 21 carries. They are the first Colonels to rush for 100 yards in the same game since Mississippi Valley State in 2024.


LAST MEETING
Oct. 21, 2023
Nicholls -- 27
East Texas A&M -- 7

COMMERCE, Texas - The Nicholls State University football team surrendered only a first-quarter touchdown for the second straight game as the Colonels improved to 3-0 in the Southland Conference with a 27-7 victory at East Texas A&M on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.  (FULL RECAP)

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