Nicholls football discusses its bye week routine

The Nicholls State University football team entered its bye week coming off of a 28-12 road loss to the Abilene Christian University Wildcats on Oct. 13.

The Colonels (4-3, 3-2 SLC) have four regular-season games left, with three of them at home at John L. Guidry Stadium.

Head coach Tim Rebowe said the student-athletes are resting at the best possible time in the year.

“It is a way for the guys to recharge their batteries,” Rebowe said. “You have an 11-game schedule in a 12-week season, so every team has an open day week. Ours happens to be coming after the 7th playing date, so we don’t play a game that week. We try to rest a little bit, give some guys time to recover. I think it is coming at a good time for us.”

Rebowe said the bye week offers players rest for their bodies and minds.

“Some people have bye week early in the season; some have it late. Ours happens to be in the middle. I like the way it sets up like that because when you play a bunch of games, you mentally and physically need to recover a little bit,” Rebowe said.

Redshirt sophomore defensive back Kevin Johnson said he and his teammates enjoy the week of rest during the season.

“We spend the bye week getting healthy and getting our bodies right,” Johnson said. “It’s important since we have been at it since fall camp, you know. It’s been rough for our body and a break is gonna be nice.”

Johnson said he also gets to see some family members during the break.

“During the bye-week, I spend some time with my family. I haven’t seen them since fall break.” Johnson said.

Rebowe said the team hits the weight room, and some younger players get some repetitions at practice.

“Our guys will [still] lift weights, certainly, get a good extra couple of days of lifting. Some of the young guys who have not played much this season and the guys that are redshirting will have the opportunity to get a little more detail and in practice, we will scrimmage those guys,” Rebowe said.

Junior defensive lineman Sully Laiche said the bye week is not much different than a game week.

“[Bye-week is also about] getting people stronger, getting people in the weight room,” Laiche said.

Laiche said recuperation is vital during the off week.

“Recovery is key. We spend the bye week recovering mostly. We are still getting prepared for the weekend events, but it’s really to get people back right; back healthy,” Laiche said.

The Colonels are back in action on Oct. 27 at 3 p.m. for its Homecoming matchup against the University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals.