NSU eager to capitalize on post-hurricane hungers

The Nicholls State Colonels are tired.

Not because of lack of sleep, but because they are ready.

For nearly two months, they have put on the pads and have been clacking pads, butting helmets and tackling each other.

Now, they want to do those same things-only to someone else.

They were prepared to do that Sept. 4 against New Mexico State, but that was cancelled due to the threat of Gustav.

They were prepared to play again this past Saturday against Bowie State, but that too had to be cancelled due to the storm.

It’s been a long-awaited start to the season, but with it finally slated to begin Saturday, the Colonels are eager to finally be able to get out on the field and hit someone besides their teammates.

“We started this thing on Aug. 1 and we will have gone 52 practices,” Thomas explained. “If you go back and count 15 practices back in the spring, 50 practices in August and not playing a game until the first week of September, it is a long time that the guys have been hitting each other. It’s time to play a game.”

For the players, the wait has been way too long.

Senior defensive back Lardarius Webb said even though they hated to lose two games, it’s time to move on and focus on the task at hand.

“We can’t help the storm,” he said. “Mother Nature is the Lord’s work. We really can’t dwell on the weather. We just have to look forward to the next game. It’s just facing adversity. It’s been a long offseason. It’s going to be a good test for our adversity and to see how bad we want it.”

Awaiting the Colonels Saturday is FBS and Conference USA member Memphis. The Tigers enter the game after losing their first three games, 31-24 to Ole Miss, 42-35 to Rice and 17-16 to Marshall.

If the Colonels want to stay competitive, they will have to have solid play from their cornerbacks, which is as deep as it has ever been.

Since the only returning starter is All-American Webb, Thomas expects teams to throw in the opposite direction. The Tigers have offense and are not afraid to run the ball, starting half back Curtis Steele of Air-It-Out with quarterback Arkelon Hall, who has thrown for over 500 yards in just two games already.

“Even though we lost three out of the four guys back there to graduation we have guys that got playing time last year,” Thomas said. “Andrew Eddie (junior) is certainly a good player. Jamal Simmons (junior) played at corner for us last year and a little safety. Lance Moore (senior) can play safety or corner, but corner is his true position. We feel good about that.”

Thomas added, “At one time we looked back there and it was a little sparse, but through recruiting, the coaches have done a good job. I think we filled some holes. It’s just going to come down to playing time now.”

After an 11-day layoff the Colonels were finally able to get back to business as usual last week, and the team, which Thomas feels could “surprise some people,” can finally take the field and showcase their skills.

The only concern is conditioning. Thomas said the team spent most of last week and portions of this week getting back into game shape.

“It’s tough,” he expressed. “It’s a situation that is out of our control. We can’t change that. We just have to make the best of the situation and the cards that were dealt to us. Everyone is disappointed. We had two games that we felt like we could go and compete in. But we have a chance to play now and we have to go and make the best opportunities with what we have now.”

As of right now, Thomas said he has been overall pleased with what he has seen from his team. Despite not playing a game, he believes this team has the potential to do what the 2005 team did after Katrina and overcome the adversity and make a run at a conference title.

On defense, Thomas expects much of the same competitiveness as defenses of years past.

In addition to the secondary, the Colonels appear to have solid linebackers and a top defensive line, Thomas said, but only time will tell. Saturday’s game will also give Thomas a chance to evaluate guys on the offensive side of the ball.

With two quarterbacks, seniors Vincent Montgomery and Chris Bunch, calling the shots, Thomas feels he can change things up a bit between the two.

He’s also eager to see how running backs Isa Hines (senior) and Southeastern transfer Jerald Watson (senior) adjust to being the main targets in the triple-option offense.

“We never know anything until we actually go in and play,” he said. “Then we have an idea of what our team is and how we can fix what we need to fix. The offense is progressing nicely. Both quarterbacks are working real well and the other positions are really coming along.”

Thomas has been especially pleased with what he has seen in Montgomery, who is recovering from an ankle injury.

“Vince is moving around really well,” he repeated. ” He has to get that first play and first hit in and get tackled on his ankle a bit. He’s been bumped around out there but Vince is a tough guy. He had to work on his conditioning. We worked on that through the first two weeks of camp so he can get into the flow of things. He and Chris have been getting all of the reps.”

With the threat of hurricanes behind them the Colonels can finally board the buses tomorrow and head to the 62,380-seat Liberty Bowl.

“Practice is one thing. A game scenario is another,” Thomas said. “In any ball game we have to go out and protect the football and we have to be able to tackle and not give up the big plays. We have to go out there and do a real good job of focusing on the task at hand and not get caught up in the hype of playing in the Liberty Bowl, playing in front of 50 or 60 thousand and that type of deal. We’re just going to play our game and let the scoreboard take care of itself at the end.

Nicholls State head coach Jay Thomas looks over his team at a practice prior to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Despite being in the third week of the season, the Colonels have yet to play a game due to cancellations. They open the season this Saturday against Memphis at the Liberty Bowl. * Photo by KYLE CARRIER