Greetings, Lion fans. It’s Homecoming Week, and in addition to what’ shaping up to be a very good game, Coach Ernest Hawkins’s last conference championship team, the 1983 squad, will be honored at halftime. Before we take a look at the homecoming matchup with the Colonels of Nicholls State, let’s take a quick look back at what was a tough and frustrating battle with Incarnate Word.

Turnovers and penalties plagued the Lions all afternoon and evening. Seven penalties for 52 yards, and two interceptions that came at the most inopportune times, added up to a 28-11 loss that was far , far, closer than the score indicated.

Despite an early turnover that was the result of a tipped pass, the Blue Gang held firm on a short field, and benefitted from a missed Cardinal field goal. The offense then went on their best drive of the game that stalled out at the Incarnate Word 18-yard line. Emmanuel Adagbon connected from 35 yards out, and the Lions held a 3-0 lead. A Lion turnover on their own 13-yard line and a short Cardinal drive led to a 14-3 halftime lead. It was a stalemate in the third quarter, and on the first play of the fourth, Javotrick Dotrey, returned a interception for a 40-yard pick six, and after an acrobatic catch by Keith Miller, the Lions had cut the lead to 14-11, and silenced the Benson Stadium crowd. The Lions were driving again in front a a boisterous group of fans clad in blue and gold, had the ball in Incarnate Word territory, and momentum squarely on their side.

Until it wasn’t. A Cardinal defensive back stepped in front of a slant pass, and a 71 yard pick six all but ended any hope. A 14 yard touchdown run by the Cardinals with just under 5 minutes left iced the game.

It was a valiant effort. Unfortunately, valiant efforts do not count in the win column. As well as the Lions played, and they did not play like a 1-5 team, turnovers, and inconsistency on offense caused them to come up short yet again. Fortunately, the mistakes made by the Lions can be fixed, and fixed quickly. The Lions went toe to toe with a top 5 FCS team, and gave as good as they got. The press box chatter was that we were a far better team than anticipated, and that the Lions were the best defense they had faced all season. There was a huge amount of respect for the strength of the Lions non conference schedule.

In a phrase- DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY IT’S COVER. The record may say 1-5, but they don’t play like it, the players don’t act beaten down and hopeless, and their coaches certainly don’t.

Now, let’s take a closer look at our neighbors from Thibodaux, Louisiana.

OVERALL:

Lion Offense:

Points: 17.3 ppg

Rush: 126.3 ypg

Pass: 172.6 ypg

Total: 299.0 ypg

Turnovers: 9

Colonel Defense:

Points: 26.9 ppg

Rush: 124.6 ypg

Pass: 250.6 ypg

Total: 375.2 ypg

Turnovers: 14

In probably what was the most frustrating game of the 2022 season, The Lions and Colonels were tied at 10 in the fourth quarter, when the Lion quarterback stepped out of the back of the end zone for a safety, which Nicholls made stand up for a 12-10 victory in a game the Lions should have won.

The Nicholls State Colonels are coached by Tim Rebowe, who is 47-43 in his ninth season. The Colonels wins this year have been over McNeese State (31-10), and Houston Christian (38-7). Their losses have been to Sacramento State (38-24), and FBS teams TCU (41-6), and Tulane (36-7). On paper, their pass defense appears shaky, but they are able to produce some turnovers.

The Lion offense continues to get better, despite the inconsistency of the offensive line. Josh Magana has settled in as QB1, and although the running back by committee took a blow with an injury to senior Raveon Hargrove (his availability for this week is unknown at this time), junior Shamenski Rucker was able to fill in, and it is anticipated that sophomore Reggie Branch could be back this week. On the receiving side of things, junior Jerome Buckner and tight ends Austin Samaha and Zadock Dinkleman had huge games last week. Sophomore Keith Miller keeps making big play after big play.

UP FRONT/TALE OF THE TAPE:

Lion Offensive Line: 6’3″ 327 lbs.

Colonel Front 6: 6’1″ 245 lbs.

The Nicholls front four consists of junior Kershawn Fisher (6’3″ 240 lbs.), junior Joe Mason (6’3″ 235 lbs.), who leads the team in sacks with three, redshirt freshman Rasheed Lovelace (6’3″ 310 lbs.), and senior Perry Ganci (6’2″ 260 lbs.) The linebackers are redshirt sophomore Hayden Shaheen (6’0″ 215 lbs.), and senior Quinton Sharkey (6’0″ 210 lbs.). Shaheen is second on the team in tackles with 27 (15 solo). This is good position group with size and experience that is able to generate pressure on the passer.

The Lion offensive line, despite their struggles last week against a very good Cardinal defensive front, continue to make progress. They consist of freshman Cole Thrift (6’8″ 345 lbs.), Sophomore Kyle Lofye (6’3″ 312 lbs.), junior Santos Valdez (6’1″ 321 lbs.), junior Michael Martin (6’1″ 345 lbs.), and sophomore Peyton Ellis (6’4″ 316 lbs.). Until last week, they had only given up four sacks all season. It’s a tough hill to climb, but line coach Dave Ewart and his guys are getting it done, bit by bit.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS/THE BACK LINE:

Lion Movers and Shakers: 5’11” 198 lbs.

Colonel Back Line: 5’11’ 182 lbs.)

The Colonel back line is led by junior Tyler Morton (5’10” 165 lbs.), who leads Nicholls in picks with 3, and is third on the team in tackles with 26 (21 solo). Sophomore Ethan Lee (5’11” 185 lbs.) leads Nicholls in tackles with 34 (19 solo). They are joined by senior Jackson Jordan (5’10” 170 lbs.), junior Kendarius Smith (5’10” 185 lbs.), and sophomore Eli Ennis (6’2″ 205 lbs.)

Josh Magana (6″1″ 203 lbs., Jr.) has taken over as the Lion quarterback, and is 60-104, averaging 124.8 yards per game, with 7 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Sophomore Reggie Branch (5’11” 195 lbs.) is the Lions leading rusher, with 48 carries for 262 yards, 1 touchdown, and a long of 63. Senior Raveion Hargrove (5’6″ 172 lbs.) has 239 yards on 49 carries, a pair of touchdowns, and a long of 49.

Senior Micaelous Elder (5’8″ 161 lbs.) is the Lions leading receiver, with 22 receptions for 178 yards, a touchdown, and a long 44. Senior Jabari Khepera (5’11” 199 lbs.) has 8 catches for 167 yards, a touchdown, and a long of 74. Sophomore Keith Miller (6’3″ 219 lbs.) may not have much in the way of stats, with 161 yards on 10 catches, three touchdowns, and a long of 65, but always seems to come up with the key catch when the offense most needs it.

VERY SPECIAL, INDEED:

Mitchell McGarry continues to have a great year, with 38 punts for a 39.7-yard average, and a long of 58. Senior Emmanuel Adagbon was only 1 of 3 on field goal attempts last week in what were deceptively touch wind conditions. Aiden Martin was outstanding on kickoffs yet again, and the coverage was very good outside of one return by UIW that was called back by penalty.

Tyler Morton has returned two punts for Nicholls for a total of 5f yards, and redshirt sophomore Jaylon Spears (5’10” 200 lbs.) has 9 kickoff returns for an average of 26.8 and a long of 48 yards. The Lions special teams coverage will have to be at their best this week.

THE LIONS WIN THIS MATCHUP IF: Same song, second verse. If the offensive line can protect Magana enough, there are definitely some opportunities to he had in the Colonel secondary. If they can establish some consistency, and not turn the ball over, the Lions can be in position to win this one.

Lions’ fans, I’ll say this again. This may be a 1-5 team on paper, but they sure don’t play like it. Right now, they are 1-1 in Southland play, and are in the thick of the conference race. A win this Saturday moves them into a tie for second with several games five games left to play. They’re right where they need to be. They just need to find that one good thing to happen.

See You at The Hawk.

Note: A big tip of the hat to the crowd that made the trip to San Antonio last weekend. When you began to stomp the metal bleachers, i could feel the press box shake, literally. You showed up, you were loud, and you stayed until the end. That’s the way it’s done.