# 2020 Nicholls Colonels football team

The 2020 Nicholls State Colonels football team represented Nicholls State University as a member of the Southland Conference during the 2020–21 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by sixth-year head coach Tim Rebowe, the Colonels compiled an overall record of 4–3 with a mark of 3–3 in conference play, tying for third place in the Southland. Nicholls State played home games at John L. Guidry Stadium in Thibodaux, Louisiana.
Shortly before the season was to commence, the Southland Conference canceled their fall sports, with the hope that all sports would be playable in Spring 2021. The Colonels started their spring season on February 19, 2021.

## Preseason
### Recruiting class

Reference(s):
College recruiting information (2020) :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Trevor Allemand Defensive Line | Raceland, LA | Central Lafourche HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Javin Augillard Wide Receiver | St. Amant, LA | St. Amant HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Zach Bernard Defensive Line | Mandeville, LA | Lakeshore HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 280 lb (130 kg) | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Tyreke Boyd Defensive Back | Lafayette, LA | Ovey Comeaux HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Tevin Bush Wide Receiver | New Orleans, LA | Landy–Walker Prep West Virginia | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Pig Cage Defensive Back | Kenner, LA | Archbishop Rummel HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Choncee Crum Linebacker | New Orleans, LA | St. Augustine HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Ty'Ree Evans Linebacker | Waynesboro, MS | Wayne County HS Southern Miss | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Chei Hill Defensive Lineman | Miami, FL | South Dade HS East Tennessee State Jones County JC | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 245 lb (111 kg) | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Brandon James Defensive Back | Marrero, LA | John Ehret HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Jamiran James Defensive Line | New Orleans, LA | De La Salle HS Tulane | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 280 lb (130 kg) | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Devonta Jason Wide Receiver | New Orleans, LA | Landry–Walker Prep Mississippi State | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Johmel Jolla Jr. Linebacker | Geismar, LA | Dutchtown HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Kenan Jones Defensive Back | Berwick, LA | Berwick HS LSU | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| DeAndre Keller Defensive Lineman | Vacherie, LA | St. James HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 270 lb (120 kg) | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Leonard Kelly Quarterback | New Orleans, LA | Edna Karr HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Lee Negrotto Tight End | Pass Christian, MS | St. Stanislaus HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 235 lb (107 kg) | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Evan Roussel Offensive Lineman | Gramercy, LA | St. Charles Catholic HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 280 lb (130 kg) | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Hayden Shaheen Linebacker | Baton Rouge, LA | Catholic HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Shamar Smith Athlete | St. James, LA | St. James HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Baylee Trusty Offensive Lineman | Grenada, MS | Grenada HS East Mississippi CC | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 295 lb (134 kg) | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Corey Warren Jr. Running Back | Pearl River, LA | Pearl River HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Logan Wilcox Tight End | Raceland, LA | Central Lafourche HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Jai Williams Running Back | Plattenville, LA | Ascension Catholic HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Keontae Williams Defensive Back | Scott, LA | Acadiana HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||
| Malik Woodery Defensive Back | New Orleans, LA | Archbishop Rummel HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Feb 5, 2020 |
| Star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN: N/A |||||||

### Preseason poll

The Southland Conference released their spring preseason poll in January 2021. The Colonels were picked to finish first in the conference. In addition, eight Colonels were chosen to the Preseason All-Southland Team
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | Nicholls | 67 (7) |
| 2 | Sam Houston State | 65 (6) |
| 3 | Southeastern Louisiana | 48 |
| 4 | McNeese State | 45 (1) |
| 5 | Incarnate Word | 32 |
| 6 | Northwestern State | 20 |
| 7 | Lamar | 17 |

### Preseason All–Southland Teams
## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| February 19 | 6:00 p.m. | Lincoln (MO)* | No. 14 | Manning Field at John L. Guidry StadiumThibodaux, LA | CST | W 87–3 | 3,000 |
| February 27 | 3:00 p.m. | Lamar | No. 9 | Manning Field at John L. Guidry StadiumThibodaux, LA | ESPN+ | W 55–0 | 3,000 |
| March 6 | 6:00 p.m. | at Northwestern State | No. 7 | Harry Turpin StadiumNatchitoches, LA (NSU Challenge) | ESPN+ | W 31–24 | 4,305 |
| March 13 | 12:00 p.m. | at No. 12 Sam Houston State | No. 7 | Bowers StadiumHuntsville, TX | ESPN+ | L 17–71 | 2,103 |
| March 27 | 11:00 a.m. | No. 13 Incarnate Word | No. 17 | Manning Field at John L. Guidry StadiumThibodaux, LA | ESPN+ | W 75–45 | 4,236 |
| April 3 | 12:00 p.m. | at McNeese State | No. 13 | Cowboy StadiumLake Charles, LA | CST | L 31–43 | 5,289 |
| April 10 | 3:00 p.m. | No. 23 Southeastern Louisiana | No. 18 | Manning Field at John L. Guidry StadiumThibodaux, LA (River Bell Classic) | CST | L 45–52 | 5,122 |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from STATS Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Central time ||||||||

## Game summaries
### Lincoln

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Blue Tigers | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| • No. 14 (FCS) Colonels | 13 | 33 | 20 | 21 | 87 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NICH −49.0 | 60 |
| Statistics | Lincoln | Nicholls |
| First downs | 6 | 26 |
| Total yards | 110 | 477 |
| Rushing yards | 90 | 249 |
| Passing yards | 20 | 228 |
| Turnovers | 6 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 32:38 | 27:22 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Lincoln | Passing | Desmond Hunter | 9/13, 11 yards, 1 INT |
| Lincoln | Rushing | Tori Hicks | 16 carries, 71 yards |
| Lincoln | Receiving | Chrisshun Robinson | 1 reception, 7 yards |
| Nicholls | Passing | Lindsey Scott Jr. | 12/14, 153 yards, 2 TDs |
| Nicholls | Rushing | Julien Gums | 11 carries, 61 yards, 1 TD |
| Nicholls | Receiving | Dai'Jean Dixon | 5 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD |

### Lamar

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| • No. 9 Colonels | 13 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 55 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NICH −22.0 | 55 |
| Statistics | Lamar | Nicholls |
| First downs | 6 | 31 |
| Total yards | 91 | 639 |
| Rushing yards | 37 | 392 |
| Passing yards | 54 | 247 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 30:34 | 29:26 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Lamar | Passing | Jalen Dummett | 9/11, 40 yards |
| Lamar | Rushing | Jaylen Jackson | 8 carries, 19 yards |
| Lamar | Receiving | Marcellus Johnson | 3 receptions, 14 yards |
| Nicholls | Passing | Lindsey Scott Jr. | 16/21, 232 yards, 3 TDs |
| Nicholls | Rushing | Lindsey Scott Jr. | 10 carries, 108 yards, 3 TDs |
| Nicholls | Receiving | K. J. Franklin | 5 receptions, 65 yards, 1 TD |

### At Northwestern State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 7 Colonels | 14 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 31 |
| Demons | 7 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 24 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NICH −49.0 | 60 |
| Statistics | Nicholls | Northwestern State |
| First downs | 29 | 12 |
| Total yards | 545 | 304 |
| Rushing yards | 246 | 237 |
| Passing yards | 299 | 67 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 39:31 | 20:29 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Nicholls | Passing | Lindsey Scott Jr. | 21/33, 229 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT |
| Nicholls | Rushing | Julien Gums | 36 carries, 156 yards, 1 TD |
| Nicholls | Receiving | Dai'Jean Dixon | 7 receptions, 115 yards, 2 TDs |
| Northwestern State | Passing | Kaleb Fletcher | 8/17, 49 yards, 1 TD |
| Northwestern State | Rushing | Aubrey Scott | 9 carries, 119 yards, 1 TD |
| Northwestern State | Receiving | Gavin Landry | 2 receptions, 19 yards, 1 TD |

### At Sam Houston State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 7 Colonels | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| • No. 12 Bearkats | 7 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 71 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| SHSU −2.5 | 63 |
| Statistics | Nicholls | Sam Houston State |
| First downs | 19 | 23 |
| Total yards | 337 | 556 |
| Rushing yards | 118 | 190 |
| Passing yards | 219 | 366 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 28:54 | 31:06 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Nicholls | Passing | Lindsey Scott Jr | 14/35, 186 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Nicholls | Rushing | Dontaze Costly | 3 carries, 41 yards |
| Nicholls | Receiving | Dai'Jean Dixon | 5 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD |
| Sam Houston State | Passing | Eric Schmid | 21/32, 366 yards, 6 TDs, 2 INTs |
| Sam Houston State | Rushing | Daryon Triche | 5 carries, 60 yards |
| Sam Houston State | Receiving | Jequez Ezzard | 3 receptions, 139 yards, 2 TDs |

### Incarnate Word

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 13 Cardinals | 14 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 45 |
| • No. 17 Colonels | 20 | 35 | 13 | 7 | 75 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NICH −4.0 | 69 |
| Statistics | Incarnate Word | Nicholls |
| First downs | 33 | 31 |
| Total yards | 580 | 614 |
| Rushing yards | 110 | 350 |
| Passing yards | 470 | 264 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 32:17 | 27:43 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Incarnate Word | Passing | Cam Ward | 39/65, 470 yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT |
| Incarnate Word | Rushing | Kevin Brown | 10 carries, 48 yards |
| Incarnate Word | Receiving | Robert Ferrel | 6 receptions, 104 yards, 2 TDs |
| Nicholls | Passing | Lindsey Scott Jr. | 17/21, 264 yards, 5 TDs |
| Nicholls | Rushing | John Carrington III | 13 carries, 135 yards, 2 TDs |
| Nicholls | Receiving | K. J. Franklin | 5 receptions, 81 yards, 1 TD |

### At McNeese State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 13 Colonels | 14 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
| • Cowboys | 3 | 21 | 7 | 12 | 43 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NICH −13.5 | 60 |
| Statistics | Nicholls | McNeese State |
| First downs | 29 | 21 |
| Total yards | 562 | 541 |
| Rushing yards | 273 | 187 |
| Passing yards | 289 | 354 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 35:26 | 24:34 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Nicholls | Passing | Lindsey Scott Jr. | 26/53, 289 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT |
| Nicholls | Rushing | Lindsey Scott Jr. | 28 carries, 137 yards |
| Nicholls | Receiving | K. J. Franklin | 4 receptions, 76 yards |
| McNeese State | Passing | Cody Orgeron | 20/27, 354 yards, 4 TDs |
| McNeese State | Rushing | Deonta McMahon | 11 carries, 111 yards, 1 TD |
| McNeese State | Receiving | Joshua Matthews | 7 receptions, 147 yards, 2 TDs |

### Southeastern Louisiana

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 23 Lions | 14 | 3 | 21 | 14 | 52 |
| No. 18 Colonels | 10 | 14 | 6 | 15 | 45 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NICH −5.0 | 74 |
| Statistics | Southeastern Louisiana | Nicholls |
| First downs | 25 | 30 |
| Total yards | 499 | 478 |
| Rushing yards | 81 | 217 |
| Passing yards | 418 | 261 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 4 |
| Time of possession | 33:36 | 26:24 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Passing | Cole Kelley | 30/41, 391 yards, 4 TDs |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Rushing | Taron Jones | 10 carries, 31 yards |
| Southeastern Louisiana | Receiving | CJ Turner | 11 receptions, 110 yards, 2 TDs |
| Nicholls | Passing | Lindsey Scott Jr. | 19/38, 261 yards, 1 TD, 4 INTs |
| Nicholls | Rushing | Lindsey Scott Jr. | 11 carries, 90 yards, 1 TD |
| Nicholls | Receiving | Dai'Jean Dixon | 5 receptions, 92 yards |