The Nicholls State University football team looks forward to the first Southland Conference play of the season as an opportunity to surpass all expectations after being defeated by University of Louisiana at Monroe last Saturday.

“We know it is a process that has to take place. I want our guys to trust in that process and come to work every day, and in the end good things are going to happen for us,” Tim Rebowe, head coach, said.

At the debut of the Rebowe era, the Colonels (0-1) fell, (47-0), to ULM (1-1) at Malone Stadium. The loss increased the Colonels’ overall losing streak to 19 games. In the game, Nicholls’ offense gained a total of 260 rushing yards and its defense allowed the opponent to gain 593 yards. The Colonels surpassed the Warhawks in rushing attempts, (44-38), but were outperformed in total offensive yards, 260-593, and unable to pass the ULM defense to score.

“We got a lot to learn. We were a little disappointed in the way that we performed, but we got a lot of things that we corrected on film and that can get a lot better from week one to week two for us,” Rebowe said.

The Colonels versus ULM match renewed the in-state rivalry, being the first match between the two schools since 2000. It was also the first opportunity the new coaching staff had to see the team playing together and to evaluate where the team stands in the season.

“A little block here, a little step on a route or a little bit wider pass from me are examples of the little things that could have helped us to put a score on the board,” Tuskani Figaro, quarterback, said. “We could have scored three or four times and we missed those opportunities. This week, we need to take advantage of the opportunities that Incarnate World is going to give us and make sure we execute it.”

Nicholls will open up its Southland Conference play against the University of the Incarnate World in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday at 2 p.m. On their last confront, the Colonels played an equated match but got defeated at home by UIW, (20-38).

“I’ve been looking for this game since last year. I believe we should have won the last game we played against them and I am ready to get my revenge,” B.T. Sanders, safety, said.

Rebowe believes that one of the main challenges this season is to change the players’ mindset so they can understand that the effort and dedication they put into the practices will pay off.

“It is going to be a tough, hard-fought game. They are a good ball club and we got to go all the way out to San Antonio, but what we got to do is to play and worry about Nicholls Colonels and the rest will take care of itself,” Rebowe said. “I expect our guys to play hard. I expect our guys to compete. I expect us to be in every ball game.”