Only three weeks into the Southland Conference season, this Saturday’s Homecoming game between the Colonels and the McNeese State Cowboys has shaped up to what could be the most important game of the early conference season. It is unusual for Nicholls to be playing McNeese so early in the season since the teams usually face off last in a game that usually has high stakes, Jay Thomas, head football coach, said.
“There is always something on the line when we play McNeese,” Thomas said. “It’s a little different having to play them early in the season.”
The players are excited for this weekend’s game Thomas said. “We could see it in their eyes at the team meeting,” he said.
Thomas said more players went in on Monday, which was their day off, to view video footage and learn plays.
As for McNeese, Thomas said they have some very good-looking players who have both speed and size.
“The Cowboys have the right combination – speed and size,” Thomas said. “We definitely have the speed and will run with them.”
Since it is Homecoming week Thomas said the team has many distractions and has to stay focused through the pep rallies, parade and bonfire.
Health is also an issue since the team has just returned from the road.
“Health is critical in the conference race,” Thomas said.
Thomas said there are no major injuries going into the game and a healthy team is important to finishing off the season.
In regards to the Homecoming game, Thomas urged fan support.
“We need to match the ‘Cowboy Nation’ both on the field and in the stands,” he said.
The Colonels still have many games to play and a tough conference schedule ahead of them, Thomas said.
Both the Colonels and Cowboys are the only two teams that have not been beaten in a conference game and are currently the only two teams ranked in the top 25 in the conference.
Following their one-point victory at Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks Saturday night, the Colonels moved up one spot to No. 13 in the Sports Network Poll. According to the same poll the Cowboys are ranked No. 6.
Colonels defeated the Lumberjacks for the first time since 1986 with a score of 17-16 at Homer Bryce Stadium.
“We got out of here by the skin of our teeth; our offense made some plays, especially right at the end,” Thomas said.
This win marks the third time the Colonels have defeated the Lumberjacks in match-up history.
“We had our chances, and it hurts,” J.C. Harper, Lumberjacks head coach, said.
Nicholls (5-1 overall, 2-0 SLC) finished the game with 16 first downs and 382 total yards, with junior quarterback Vincent Montgomery, junior runningback Zack Morgan and senior fullback Cal Jones leading the team to victory.
Montgomery, who took every snap for the Colonels, finished 6 of 15 for 130 yards, 73 yards rushing on 16 carries, one touchdown and one interception. Morgan had 60 yards rushing, while Jones finished the game with 104 yards of total offense.
After a bye week, the Colonels were not only able to shut out in-state and conference rivals, Northwestern State Demons Oct. 5 at John L. Guidry Stadium, but they were also able to tie or break several NCAA Conference records, some of which previously belonged to Northwestern State.
With the combination of free safety Kareem Moore and strong safety Ladarius Webb, each returning two interceptions for touchdowns, the Colonels tied a NCAA record with four interception returns for scores.
Previously, the Demons held this record from a 87-27 victory over Southeastern in 2003.
Moore and Webb’s interception touchdown runs also set the mark for the most in one half in NCAA history.
Not only did this win change the NCAA’s record books, it also broke some of the University’s own records.
The four interception returns for touchdowns gave Nicholls five on the season, which is a new all-time best in a single season.
New marks were also set in interception return yards with 238 in the contest.
Moore and Webb also now hold the most return yards in a game with 114 each.
“Our team deserves all the credit for going out there and playing the way they did,” Thomas said.
