The Colonels travel to Beaumont, Texas, this Saturday at 3 p.m. to face the Top 25-ranked Southland Conference foe Lamar University.
Nicholls (1-4) enters the game against Lamar (3-1) still undefeated in conference play and with hopes to compete for a Southland title despite four straight losses. Lamar jumped to No. 20 in the STATS Perform Top 25 poll and entered the AFCA Coaches Poll at 25th after a 35-32 win over Central Arkansas.
Rivals Clash
Lamar University and Nicholls State have matched up going back to 1972, where the Cardinals won 22-10 at home.
However, the two teams did not see each other again until 1983 when Lamar traveled to Thibodaux, Louisiana and lost to the Colonels 14-21.
The Cardinals controlled the series the next year, winning at home 20-16. The two teams would not see each other for 27 years after this due to Lamar leaving to join the now-dissolved WAC (Western Athletic Conference).
The team renewed the rivalry in 2011 and has played every year since. The Cardinals hold an 8-7 series lead all-time, meaning the Colonels can tie the series with a win Saturday.
Positives to Build Off
While the Colonels dropped four straight after their week 0 win over UIW, the team has done well in certain areas.
Coach Tommy Rybacki’s squad sits at 64th in the FCS in penalties with 29 for 213 yards. While averaging right under six penalties a game is not ideal, it’s something that can be cleaned up and lead to success.
The Colonels’ defense, which was the spotlight of their first game, remains one of the top turnover teams in the nation. The team’s secondary is ranked 16th amongst all FCS teams in forcing interceptions and 31st in fumbles recovered.
The only issue with these stats is that three of those interceptions and two of the fumbles recovered came back in week zero.
Who to Watch
The Colonels’ offense has struggled throughout the season in scoring points and sustaining drives.
Instead of highlighting specific players, the offense as a whole will need to put together lengthier drives that convert into points. Settling for field goals instead of going for it on fourth down in plus territory could be the difference in keeping team morale up and staying in games.
On the other side, Lamar is ranked 124th out of 126 FCS teams in passing offense. The Cardinals average 94 yards per game through the air, but compensate for this by making their redzone trips count, sitting at 20th in redzone offense.
At the helm of the Cardinals’ offense is Sophomore Aiden McCown after Senior quarterback Robert Coleman went down in week two versus No. 4-ranked South Dakota with a shoulder injury.
Final Score Prediction
LU 27 – NSU 14
While I would like to hold optimism for another upset win, I do believe the Cardinals have the recipe for success currently. They’re hot and have already been proven against very good teams.
The Cardinals’ lackluster defense will keep the game close in the first half, but ultimately, I have the Colonels falling again.
