Nicholls State University will make its seventh NCAA Division I FCS playoff appearance. The Colonels face Southern Illinois at 2 p.m. Saturday in Carbondale. (Photo by GeauxColonels.com)
By Dan Verdun
According to Google, it’s 627 miles and a nine-hour drive from Thibodaux, La., to Carbondale, Ill.
Two days after Thanksgiving, Nicholls State University and Southern Illinois University will meet on a much closer space, the 120×53-yard football field at Saluki Stadium.
SIU hosts Nicholls at 2 p.m. Saturday in the first round of the FCS playoffs.
The schools squared off on two previous occasions. SIU defeated Nicholls, 48-20, in 1995; the Colonels shut out the Salukis, 33-0, two years later.
Both teams played Southeast Missouri this season. SIU slipped past SEMO, 26-25, in September. Nicholls lost to the Redhawks, 35-31, Oct. 28.
Here’s our look at the Salukis’ postseason opponent:
School: Nicholls State University
Founded: 1948
Location: Thibodaux, La.
Population: 15,000
Enrollment: 5,500
Nickname: Colonels
Colors: Red and Gray
Conference: Southland
Head Coach: Tim Rebowe (LSU, 1987)
Overall Record: 6-4
I-AA/FCS Playoff Appearances: 7 (1986, ‘96, 2005, ‘17, ‘18, ‘19, ‘23)
Key players: QB Pat McQuaide, RB Collin Guggenheim, RB Jaylon Spears, WR Neno Lemay, WR David Robinson, Jr., DB Tyler Morton, DB Ethan Lee, LB Hayden Shaheen, LB Quinton Sharkey, K Gavin Lasseigne
Best NFL player from Nicholls: DB Gary Barbaro (Kansas City Chiefs, 1976-82; 3 Pro Bowls)
Other notable Nicholls players in NFL: WR Mark Carrier, DB Darryl Pounds, RB-WR Dwight Walker, DB Lardarius Webb
Famous Nicholls alumni: Bobby April III (Stanford defensive coordinator), Rocsi Diaz (TV host and radio personality), Darryl Hamilton (Major League Baseball player), Punkie Johnson (Saturday Night Live), Mo B. Dick (rapper)
Prairie State Pigskin 
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