Taking a break from the typical Saturday games, the Colonels will travel to San Marcos, Texas to play Southland Conference rival Texas St. tonight at 7 on Fox Sports Net. Colonels Head Football Coach Jay Thomas said playing two games over five days is tough ,but he said he believes his team will do well.

“It puts a strain on you having to play a game and then turn around and go right back to practice,” Thomas said.

The game, known as the “Battle for the Paddle,” will be the 25th meeting between the two schools, which Nicholls leads 13-11. Both Thomas and Texas St. Head Coach David Baliff are 1-1 against each other in head-to-head play.

Since being dubbed the “Battle for the Paddle” in 1998 after a flood in San Marcos forced the game to be rescheduled, the Colonels and Bobcats have gone 4-4 against each other. The Colonels won the paddle back last season in their 32-29 victory.

The Colonels, who are 3-5 overall and 1-2 in the Southland Conference, have not won in San Marcos since 2002 when they defeated the Bobcats 24-21.

Freshman quarterback Zach Chauvin, who started his first game for the Colonels Saturday, will start his first conference game tonight.

Chauvin said it is important for the Colonels to stay completely focused and remain mentally prepared after the short week.

“They (Texas St.) are a good team, and it is a big conference game for us,” Chauvin said. “We just have to show up to play and be mentally and physically prepared.”

Junior wide receiver Michael Okoronkwo said even though it is a short week for the Colonels, they are mature enough to handle the situation.

“It’ll be a big difference only having five days to prepare,” Okoronkwo said. “We are all responsible enough to handle it and will go out there and get the win.”

The Bobcats, whose record is 3-5 overall and 2-2 in the Southland Conference, enter the game ranked third in total offense, while the Colonels are ranked fifth. The Colonels defense, however, is ranked second overall in the conference while the Bobcats defense is ranked fourth.

Senior defensive back Toney Edison said this game is important in keeping the Colonels’ title hopes alive.

“We all know they are a pretty good team, and it’s a good rivalry game,” Edison said. “We’re trying to win out so we can still have a shot at the conference title.”

In order for the Colonels to win, Thomas said it is important to make the most of every opportunity.

“There is no room for error, especially in a big ballgame like this,” Thomas said. “We really need to do a good job. We have got to learn that we have to field every opportunity.