After losing a close game to the University of Central Arkansas, the Colonels will play Southeastern Louisiana University in New Orleans on Friday.

Nicholls State University quarterback Landry Klann threw four touchdown passes against the Bears, but it wasn’t enough to beat them on Saturday night. Head coach Tim Rebowe said they put themselves in a position to win the game, but several errors led to the loss.

“Defensively we played well enough to win the game,” Rebowe said. “They didn’t have many drives against us, and we created a couple of turnovers. Unfortunately, our gamble on the onside kick didn’t work, and our error in the kicking game hurt us.”

The Colonels passed for 368 total yards, which is their highest total of the season. Klann said they began to take some shots downfield once the game opened up.

“Early on, we were throwing some short passes and getting the ball out quickly,” Klann said. “They tried to take the short pass away, so things started to open up behind them. We took advantage of that.”

The Colonels only managed to get 10 total rushing yards against the Bears, which is their lowest total of the season. Henry said it was difficult to get runs on the Bears’ defensive front.

“They just had a very good scheme defensively with the linebackers getting involved,” Henry said. “When they put that many guys in the box, it forces them into man coverage. Our guys did a great job of breaking them down, and Landry did a good job getting the ball to our playmakers.”

The Bears intercepted the ball in the third quarter, which lead to a touchdown. They gave up the most passing yards per game in the conference with 252 yards, but they have thrown the most interceptions in the Southland Conference with 17. Klann said that the Bear pass rush played a big part in causing the interception.

“Their defensive line gets after the quarterback, and it causes you to make quick decisions,” Klann said. “They are aggressive and get tips on the ball, and I had to make a quick decision.”

The Colonels were trailing by 17 points early in the fourth quarter, but they managed to get within three points of the Bears. After the Colonels returned a punt into the Bears’ half of the field, it was called back for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Rebowe said his player should not have been whistled for the penalty.
“I thought our guy was just celebrating,” Rebowe said. “I didn’t think they needed to make a call in that situation to determine the outcome of the game.”

The Colonels play Southeastern Louisiana University at 6 p.m. tonight. The Lions are the second-ranked scoring defense in the Southland Conference. Rebowe said their athleticism is a big reason why they are one of the top defenses in the conference.

“They are probably one of the most athletic teams we will face this year,” Rebowe said. “This is a big rivalry for us with the Riverbell Classic Trophy at stake, and we want that trophy to come back to Thibodaux this year.”