NSU to face Perrilloux in ’09

The Colonels’ 2009 football schedule features 11 games, including a five-game home schedule highlighted by a visit from former LSU quarterback Ryan Perrilloux in the university’s homecoming game on Sept. 26.

NSU’s match against Jacksonville State will be the Louisiana native’s first game in the state since transferring from LSU in the summer of 2008.

The Colonels open the season against the Air Force Falcons in Colorado Springs, Colo. on Sept. 5. It’s the first meeting between the two teams. The Falcons lost to Houston 34-28 in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl to finish 2008 8-5 overall and fourth in the Mountain West Conference.

Nicholls’ home debut will come against Duquesne University on Sept 12. Duquesne finished up 2008 with a 3-7 record, and a 2-5 mark in the Northeast Conference.

After their bout with the Dukes, the Colonels will play state foe Louisiana Tech on Sept. 19 in Ruston, La. Nicholls and Louisiana Tech last played in the 2006 season with the Bulldogs winning 31-21; however, the Colonels led 21-0 after the first quarter, and held a 21-17 lead at the half.

After the Sept. 26 Jacksonville game and then an open date, Nicholls will begin conference play Oct. 10 against Sam Houston State, a team that has beaten the Colonels four of the last five meetings. The Colonels have not defeated the Bearkats since their SLC Championship season in 2005 when Nicholls prevailed 37-17.

Nicholls makes its SLC home debut the following week on Oct. 17 against Texas State. En route to winning the SLC Championship, the Bobcats defeated Nicholls last season in San Marcos, Texas. Texas State’s season ended in the FCS playoffs with a first round loss against Montana.

The Colonels follow up with a trip to Central Arkansas on Oct. 24, then return home to host McNeese State on Oct. 31 for Family Day. Both teams finished 2008 ranked in the Sports Network Poll No. 12 and No. 22, respectively.

Nicholls will hit the road once again on Nov. 7 to play Stephen F. Austin. SFA led the FCS in passing in 2008, and return quarterback Jeremy Moses to run the high-powered passing attack. Following their trip to Nacog-doches, Texas, the Colonels will return home to play their final home game of the 2009 season against Northwestern State on Nov. 14. The game will serve as Senior Day.

The final game of the season will be the annual River Bell Classic in Hammond, La. on Nov. 19 as the Colonels take on archrival Southeastern Louisiana.