The 2008 Colonels football pre-season events will begin March 31 with spring drills and end April 19 with the annual spring football game in John L. Guidry Stadium. Head football coach Jay Thomas said the Colonels hope to have a good spring practice, and he is excited about the new recruits recently signed with the team.
“This time of year is always exciting. Every season brings a lot of anticipation, and spring ball is our first chance to really evaluate our team,” Thomas said. “We are going to be young in some areas, but that is not to say we won’t be talented. I feel we have an excellent class of newcomers that will really challenge for playing time this season.”
In 2007 Nicholls achieved a 6-5 overall record and a 3-4 Southland Conference record, which included a season-opening win over the Football Bowl Subdivision team Rice University.
The 2007 season also included record-breaking events such as tying the NCAA record for most interception returns in a single game that took place in the 58-0 shutout win over the Northwestern State University Demons.
The Colonels took four pick-sixes in the first half to break the record for most interception returns in one half.
The Colonels return 44 letter winners, and with the addition of 30 talented recruits, the Colonels should have the personnel to achieve success in 2008.
Nicholls lost four defensive starters and five offensive starters last season.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Colonels lost last season’s cornerbacks Jermaine Boggan and Lester Brooks, defensive lineman Jordan Stone and safety Kareem Moore.
On offense, the Colonels lost an array of starters in the backfield in Broderick Cole, Joseph Tobias, Zack Morgan, Cal Jones and Grant Thorne.
The Colonels return every starter on the offensive line and All-American safety Ladarius Webb, who was named a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, presented to the most outstanding defensive player in the country.
The 2008 schedule has yet to be finalized and should be available by the beginning of April.
