2021 FCS Season Preview: Nicholls Colonels
The preseason favorite to win the Southland in the spring, Nicholls (4-3, 3-3) struggled down the stretch – losing three of its final four games to finish third in the conference.
Transfer quarterback Lindsey Scott Jr. showcased his dual-threat ability in the spring, passing for 1,684 yards and 18 touchdowns and leading the Colonels with 557 yards and six touchdowns rushing.
John Carrington III is expected to share playing time at running back after averaging 6.2 yards per carry and scoring three touchdowns in the spring. Texas Tech transfer Kevin Moore III led the Colonel defense in tackles (48) while adding three tackles for loss, one sack, and an interception in the spring. Defensive back Pig Cage had a breakout freshman campaign – he led the team with 11.5 tackles for loss.
Impact Players
QB Lindsey Scott Jr.: Started all seven games, accounting for 2,241 yards of total offense with a 320.1 yards per game average.
OL P.J. Burkhalter: Named Southland Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year for the second straight season, and All-Southland First Team; garnered five All-American honors.
WR Da’Jean Dixon: Played in all seven games, totaling 514 yards and seven touchdowns on 35 receptions; averaged 73.4 yards a game and 14.7 yards per catch.
Key Game: October 9 vs. Southeastern Louisiana
Nicholls
| Home | Away | Venue | Match Day | TV/Streaming | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nicholls  |  Memphis | Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium | Memphis, TN | - | - |
| Nicholls |  Louisiana-Lafayette | Cajun Field | Lafayette, LA | ESPN3 | - |
North Alabama  | Nicholls | Guidry Stadium | Thibodaux, LA | - | - |
Houston Christian  | Nicholls | Guidry Stadium | Thibodaux, LA | - | - |
Southeastern Louisiana  | Nicholls | Guidry Stadium | Thibodaux, LA | - | - |
| Nicholls |  Incarnate Word | Benson Stadium | San Antonio, TX | - | - |
| Nicholls | Houston Christian | Husky Stadium | Houston, TX | - | - |
Northwestern State  | Nicholls | Guidry Stadium | Thibodaux, LA | - | - |
| Nicholls |  McNeese | Cowboy Stadium | Lake Charles, LA | - | - |
| Incarnate Word | Nicholls | Guidry Stadium | Thibodaux, LA | - | - |
| Nicholls | Southeastern Louisiana | Strawberry Stadium | Hammond, LA | - | - |
Worst Case: The struggle down the stretch wasn’t a fluke, and they don’t figure it out before what could be the game of the year in the Southland, October 9th vs. Southeastern Louisiana.
Best Case: Somewhere around the North Alabama game, the Colonels figure things out on defense and become the team to beat.
Rob Butler is a lifelong Texas A&M football fan – his family is full of A&M graduates. He graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas with two degrees – a BBA in Finance and an MBA. His hobbies include jogging and reading books pertaining to college football.
