SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The University of the Incarnate Word football team will make its second trip to Louisiana in as many weeks as the squad heads to Thibodaux for a highly-anticipated battle against Nicholls at 3 p.m. on Saturday at John L. Guidry Stadium.
 
OPENING KICK
 
Expectations for Saturday's contest grew after the Cardinals (1-1, 1-0 SLC) earned a Southland Conference-opening win, 21-18, on the road at Northwestern State. Two days later the Colonels (0-1, 0-0 SLC) ramped up the significance of Saturday's meeting by nearly upsetting No. 9 Georgia in front of 92,746 spectators in Athens.
 
SCOUTING THE COLONELS
 
2016: 0-1 overall, 0-0 SLC
Last Game: L at No. 9 Georgia (26-24)
Head Coach: Tim Rebowe
Key Offensive Players:
#9 Fr. QB Chase Fourcade: 9-for-19, 99 yards passing, 27 yards rushing, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
#24 Sr. RB C.J. Okpalobi: 21 rushes for 55 yards
#2 Sr. WR C.J. Bates: 1 reception for 6 yards, 1 TD
#11 So. WR Jarrell Rogers: 3 receptions for 52 yards, 1 TD
Key Defensive Players:
#26 Sr. LB B.T. Sanders: 8 tackles
#58 So. LB Hezekiah White: 6 tackles, 1.5 TFL
#10 Sr. DB Jeff Hall: 6 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 1 INT (91 yards)
#97 So. DL Kenny Dotson: 5 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1.0 sacks
Summary:
After coming up field goal shy of one of the biggest upsets in college football history, the Nicholls football team received 38 votes in the latest STATS FCS Top 25 Poll.

Although the Colonels fell to Georgia in their season-opener on Saturday, the performance was enough to garner national attention and put Nicholls at No. 38 in the weekly FCS poll. The Colonels last received votes in 2013 after a win over FBS Western Michigan propelled the team to an early 4-2 start.
 
Defensive lineman Kenny Dotson was named Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week and Louisiana Sports Writer's Association Player of the Week after recording five tackles, 1.5 TFL and 1.0 sack against the Bulldogs. Dotson was instrumental in keeping Georgia's powerful rushing attack in check.
 
THE CARDINAL FILE
 
2016: 1-1 overall, 1-0 SLC
Last Game: W vs. Northwestern St. (21-18)
Head Coach: Larry Kennan
Key Offensive Players:
#4 Jr. QB Trent Brittain: 35-66, 535 yards passing, 4 TDs, 1 INT
#8 Sr. RB Broderick Reeves: 30 rushes for 115 yards (3.8 avg.)
#2 Sr. WR Jordan Hicks: 11 receptions for 210 yards, 1 TD
#81 Jr. WR Kody Edwards: 9 receptions for 179 yards, 2 TD
Key Defensive Players:
#33 Sr. LB Joel Higgins: 15 tackles
#99 Sr. LB Alex Jenkins: 10 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2 sacks
#54 Jr. DE Corey Lee: 5 tackles, 1 TFL
#17 Jr. DB Sean Hoeferkamp: 13 tackles, 2 pass breakups
#35 So. DB Jawun Jiles: 10 tackles, 1 TFL
Summary:
After a disappointing 31-22 loss against Texas A&M-Kingsville to start their 2016 campaign, the UIW football team responded with a Southland Conference-opening victory at Northwestern State, 21-18.
 
The Cardinals' passing attack has been explosive since day one, but UIW struggled early on the ground. Despite those initial difficulties, the Cardinals continued to pound the rock and it paid dividends in the second half against the Demons. UIW totaled 140 yards as a team, led by Broderick Reeves, who broke free for 101 yards in the win.
 
SERIES HISTORY
 
Saturday's game marks only the third meeting in program history between UIW and Nicholls. The Cardinals own an unblemished 2-0 record against the Colonels. UIW picked up a 38-20 win over Nicholls in Thibodaux in the first meeting between programs on Nov. 1, 2014. The Cardinals held serve at home last season, taking a 20-10 victory on Sept. 19 at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium.
 
UP NEXT
 
Following this weekend's action UIW returns to Military City for a 6 p.m. matchup with McNeese on Saturday, Sept. 24 at Benson Stadium.
 
STAY TUNED
 
The Cardinals will have a short road trip to San Marcos for a battle against Texas State on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 6:30 p.m. in Bobcat Stadium.
 
For the most up-to-date information on Incarnate Word Athletics visit uiwcardinals.com. Be sure to follow Incarnate Word Athletics on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like Incarnate Word Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.