Stormy weather cuts final NSU preseason practice short

Nicholls State’s Red versus White scrimmage was cut dramatically short on Saturday due to steady rain and stray lightning.

The Colonels only got in eight of their 75 planned plays.

The last play, involving second-team units, saw senior quarterback Charlie Bunch scamper up the middle unscathed 76 yards for a touchdown.

“It was exciting to see him get out and do that,” said Colonels head coach Jay Thomas. “Obviously, we wanted to do more and see where we are three weeks before the season starts. Maybe it’s a blessing we didn’t. Nobody got injured.”

The scrimmage signified the end of fall camp. Afterward, players and their families had a fellowship meal and celebrated the annual “Dog Tag Ceremony.”

All players who complete the fall camp are awarded dog tags engraved with the year and Nicholls’ logo.

The entire team took part in another fall camp tradition last Thursday when players walked the streets of downtown Thibodaux in their game-day uniforms.

Players urged locals to support the Colonels this season while handing out schedules, asking the public to come to games and inviting them to buy season tickets.

“We even learned our fight song this year,” Thomas said. “We got the opportunity to sing it at Capital One, the mayor’s office and different places. I saw some players overcome their shyness a little bit.”

After watching the final two-a-day practices on Friday, Thomas confided that his team did not have one bad practice during camp.

“We had some that we were very good. There were a couple that we looked sluggish in,” he admitted, “That’s due mostly to nagging injuries – tweak of hamstrings and groins – and practicing in the humidity.”

The weather may have put a damper on the scrimmage, but Thomas was pleased with the hard work his players exerted throughout fall camp.

“Everybody seems to be on the same page, and we’re moving in the right direction,” he said. “As long as we’re moving forward, I consider that a success.”