Transfer back bolsters Colonels’ playmaking

The chase for the Southland Conference is officially on for the Nicholls State University football team.

The Colonels opened camp this weekend — the official beginning to the 2018 football season for a team that has high expectations with countless starters back off a group which made the playoffs last season.

But while the mass of returnees are providing well-deserved optimism, the Colonels received a cherry atop their pie this weekend when it was announced that Texas A&M halfback Kendall Bussey had transferred to the Colonels’ program.

Bussey, a 5-foot, 9-inch, 205-pound halfback, is a New Orleans native and a junior for the 2018 season. He arrives in Thibodaux with two seasons of eligibility.

Bussey rushed 47 times for 239 yards and a score last year for the Aggies. He never received consistent playing time in a backfield which is crowded with talented players.

The new Colonels’ best game, ironically enough, was against Nicholls last year. He rushed 15 times for 97 yards against the Colonels in Texas A&M’s 24-14 win.

Now, he is a Colonel and could very well be the missing piece the team’s offense has needed to soar over the top of the powerhouses in the Football Championship Subdivision.

“He’s here,” a source close to the Nicholls program texted The Times on Saturday. The source asked to remain anonymous because practice had not yet begun for the 2018 season. “He looks good. Is excited to get rolling with us this fall.”

Rebowe later confirmed the news of Bussey’s transfer.

Bussey provides star power to a Nicholls team that is full of returnees.

He was a 3-star recruit out of Isadore Newman High School. He generated interest from several of the top programs around the country, including Texas A&M, Tennessee, Nebraska, Arizona State, Arkansas, Houston, Mississippi State, Notre Dame and others.

But at the highest level of college football, Bussey was never able to separate himself from the platoon with the Aggies, always finding himself in time share situations with limited carries.

With the Colonels, it may not be much different, though he will be back near the comforts of home.

The Colonels return their top two rushers from last season, including Kyran Irvin, who generated 764 yards and 8 scores last year.

The team was second in the Southland Conference in rushing yards, generating 200.2 yards per game on the ground last year.

But Bussey has SEC experience, which means that he’s faced some of the top defenses in the country during his career.

Those lessons will serve as added depth to a team that’s loaded around the fied.

In addition to Bussey, the Colonels’ offense also brings back the lion’s share of its top playmakers in 2017, including quarterback Chase Fourcade, who will be entering his third-straight season as Nicholls’ starter.

Fourcade completed 162-of-298 passes for 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last season. Those numbers are effective, but Fourcade said at the Manning Passing Academy that he’s eager for more, citing that he battled nagging injuries throughout last season.

His weaponry is sharp, too.

In addition to Irvin and now Bussey in the backfield, the Colonels have their top passing weapons back, as well.

The leader of that group is big-play threat Damion Jeanpiere Jr., who caught 40 passes for 770 yards with 4 scores last year. Most of Jeanpiere’s success came in the form of plays greater than 25 yards, routinely taking the top off defenses.

Bussey is also a weapon in the passing game and is expected to aid the Colonels’ short passing game.

Up front, Nicholls’ offense is also loaded with returnees, including several players with All-Conference recognition.

Nicholls will practice tirelessly over the next several weeks leading up to the season opener on Sept. 1 against Kansas.

After taking on the Jayhawks, the Colonels will play three-straight challenging games, including two in Southland Conference play. Nicholls will visit Tulane on Sept. 8, McNeese on Sept. 15, then Sam Houston State on Sept. 22.

McNeese and Sam Houston State are two of the top teams in the Southland Conference — arguably the biggest challengers the Colonels will have in their race to win the conference title.

Tim Rebowe

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