The Nicholls State University football team is focused on improving the run defense this season.

Last year the Colonels gave up 3,867 total rushing yards. New Defensive Coordinator, Tommy Rybacki placed emphasis on stopping the run. He believes forcing the team into third and fourth down situations would allow them to be more aggressive on defense.

“You can’t play the pass until you stop the run,” Rybacki said.

The Colonels allowed 50 points per game last season, so they brought in a new coaching staff, as well as some transfer student-athletes, to improve the defense. Rybacki praised the defensive linemen for stepping up during the offseason.

“We’re starting to see growth in all of those guys,” Rybacki said. “Lazarus Ona has been a great leader for those guys, and Tyler Johnson has had a really good fall camp.”

The defensive linemen practiced every day during the summer to improve against the run. Linebacker Kameryn Brown praised the defensive line for their work in the offseason.

“They actually came out this fall and did phenomenal,” Brown said.

The Colonels lost the turnover battle last season 14 to 19. In addition to improving against the run, Head Coach Tim Rebowe wants the defense to secure turnovers and turn the margin in their favor.

“The stats are incredible for the teams who win the turnover battle every game,” Rebowe said. “It’s a mindset.”

Rebowe said the team worked every day on turnover drills to improve in this area. He said some of the transfer students on offense would make an impact on the team. They provided an extra challenge to the defensive players in practice, and it pushed them to improve in areas they struggled last season.

“After Saturday’s practice the defense might have had their feelings hurt, so they came out this week with a little renewed energy,” Rebowe said. “It’s all about competition.”

Coaches mentioned defensive back B.T. Sanders as one of the leaders who inspires the defense. He said the players are still making the transition to a new defensive scheme, but they are ready for the challenge.

“Coach Rebowe is installing his theory and philosophy,” Sanders said. “We know that the past wasn’t good enough, and we are ready to prove something.”

Sanders also said that facing the new transfers in practice would help prepare him for the passing teams in the conference.

“That’s the caliber of receivers we are going to face every week,” Sanders said.

Kameryn Brown was the second leading tackler for the Colonels during the 2014 season. Brown enjoys coach Rybacki’s energetic approach to defense.

“Football is supposed to be fun,” Brown said. “We just yell, scream and run around, whatever it takes to get us going.”

The Colonels will open the season on the road against the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and open their conference schedule on Sept. 19 against the University of the Incarnate Word. The Colonels only have four home games this season.

“The name of the game is take away the ball on defense and protect it on offense,” Rebowe said.