The Colonels will return to John L. Guidry Stadium this Saturday at 3 p.m. to face the conference rival Cowboys.

The Colonels (1-6) and the Cowboys (2-5) come into this game with a 1-2 record in the conference. Both teams view this game as an opportunity to right the ship and give themselves a chance to compete in the conference. 

Conference Rivals

The Colonels and Cowboys are very familiar with each other, with their first matchup coming back in 1972. They played each other 15 times in the next 18 years before the Colonels joined the Southland Conference in 1991. The Colonels and Cowboys faced off every year since then, barring the 2020 season due to COVID-19.

The Cowboys controlled the series in the first three seasons. The Colonels’ first win did not come until 1977. The Cowboys went on another three-game winning streak before the Colonels broke it in 1983. After a close loss the next year, the Colonels went on a run of their own, winning four straight from 1984-88.

Teams traded victories the next two seasons, before the Cowboys went on a five-game tear to start their conference rivalry spanning the 1990-95 seasons. The next four seasons were back and forth, but from 1999-2004, it was all Cowboys.

From then until 2008, the teams went back and forth. Then the Cowboys rattled off eight straight wins, which is the longest win streak in the rivalry. In recent years, the rivalry has shifted in the Colonels’ favor, with them winning five of the last six matchups, including four in a row from 2021-24.

The Colonels have a 17-32 record against the Cowboys all-time. They look to improve that and increase their win streak to five in this matchup.

Positives to Build On

There was not much to take away from the game offensively, as the Colonels struggled most of the night.

Defensively, the Colonels were able to force five fumbles and recover two of them. The Colonels will need to lean on their stingy defense, and the offense will have to capitalize on the opportunities given if they want to compete in conference.

Players to Watch

Colonels’ quarterback, Deuce Hogan, sustained an injury against SFA and is still being evaluated. In his absence, backup quarterback Ean Rodrigue stepped in. He went 8-9 passing, with 88 yards and a touchdown. Should Hogan not be cleared, a big game is needed from Rodrigue to have a chance in the game.

The Colonels’ backfield of Miequle Brock Jr. and Shane Lee is sure to have a big impact on the game. Brock Jr. leads all Colonels in receptions, yards (rushing and receiving) and touchdowns. Lee is just behind Brock Jr. in rushing yards, while averaging 6.3 yards per carry. Offensively, the team goes as far as the backfield takes them.

The Cowboys, similar to the Colonels, rely heavily on their backfield tandem. Tre’Vonte Citizen and Coleby Hamm each have over 50 carries this season. Citizen has 340 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 6.1 yards per carry. Hamm is slightly behind him, with 258 rushing yards and a touchdown on five yards per carry. The Cowboys look for their exciting duo to produce to give them a chance.

The defense is headed by Shyaub Brinkley, the junior safety who leads the team in tackles with 52, interceptions with two and he has a sack. Brinkley has been the leader for the Cowboys’ defense the entire season. They need him to perform well and make a big impact.

Score Prediction

Nicholls 20 – McNeese 17

The Colonels and Cowboys have struggled throughout the season and conference play. However, the Colonels are currently on a four-game winning streak against the Cowboys. With this being the Colonels’ first home game in four weeks, they will be extra motivated to get the win.

I believe home-field advantage will have a big part in this game. The fans have not seen their team perform at home in over a month. I believe they will be ready to show their Colonel pride despite the record. 

If the Colonels can rely on their defense and run game to control the pace, then they will have a great chance at claiming victory.