Football faces in-state rival Northwestern for homecoming matchup

After two weeks on the road, the Nicholls State University football team will play at home this Saturday,
October 6, against in-state rival Northwestern State University for “The Real N-S- U Challenge.”

The Northwestern State Demons come into the match with a record of 1-3, (1-1 SLC) while the Colonels
sit with a 3-2 overall record (2-1 SLC). This will be the 45th meeting between the two teams with the
Demons holding onto a 28-16 advantage over the Colonels in the overall series.

Last year, the Colonels were victorious against the Demons, earning a 31-14 win in Natchitoches which
enabled them to bring home the “N-S- U Trophy” for the second time since 2011.

While the Colonels will be battling to prove themselves the “real” NSU, they will also be competing
against the demons who are currently led by a former head coach of Nicholls, Jay Thomas. Thomas
coached the Colonels from 2004-09 where he led the team to its only Southland Conference
Championship and title in 2005. Thomas is in his fifth year as the head coach of the Northwestern
football team.

With the approach inclement weather due to hurricane Nate, the original 6:30 p.m. kickoff was
rescheduled to noon, and then to 11 a.m. Despite the last-minute schedule changes, head coach Tim
Rebowe said the team is prepared and will stick to their routine as much as possible.

“Moving the game time up should not affect us. All of our preparation is done,” Rebowe said. “Our
Friday routine will still be the same. We’ll still eat a pregame meal and have a walkthrough so all of that
should be the same.”

Rebowe mentioned that the best teams are able to adapt to changes on short notice and still perform
well.

“We have talked to the guys about it,” Rebowe said. “The team who handles the time change the best
and the team that is the best prepared is the one that is going to win the game.”

Despite the activity-filled week that surrounded Nicholls homecoming and hosting “The Real N-S- U
Challenge,” the Colonels aim to take one game at a time in the hopes of keeping their chances of being
undefeated at home for the third time in program history.

Coach Rebowe said at this point, each and every game is important for the Colonels.

“Every game is a big game. The more you win, the more they become bigger and bigger,” Rebowe said.
“No matter who we’re playing, whether we’re playing and 11-0 team or an 0-11 team, we have to go out
there and try to take care of business on Saturday.”

Radio broadcast of the competition will be available on ESPN Radio New Orleans 100.3 FM and KBZE
105.9 FM. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. at John L. Guidry Stadium.