While disappointing, last week's road loss to Texas State offered no finality to the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks' reaching their goal of winning a Southland Conference title.
But with SFA among a group of four teams tied for first place at 3-1 in the conference going into this weekend's games, there's not much room for error, now.
SFA (6-2, 3-1) hosts a struggling Nicholls team (1-7, 0-4) at 6 tonight at Homer Bryce Stadium. hoping to rebound from a 28-7 loss last week that ended a six-game winning streak.
The game is the first of a three-game stretch of must-win contests for the Lumberjacks to at least share the league championship. Southeastern Louisiana (5-3, 3-1), Texas State (5-3, 3-1) and McNeese State (6-2, 3-1) all enter games today with their share of first place on the line.
While SFA is regarded a heavy favorite against Nicholls, the Colonels usually offer a challenge.
SFA defeated the Colonels 50-39 last season in Thibodaux, La., by scoring two late touchdowns on interception returns in the fourth quarter.
This year's Colonels are a 14-7 win over Duquesne from being winless. Nicholls opened with a 72-0 loss to Air Force, defeated Duquesne and lost six straight games, five of them by double figures.
Still, SFA's optimism tonight should be guarded. The Colonels lost to Texas State by 6 points (34-28) three weeks ago and are showing signs of coming around.
The triple-option offense rushed for 150 yards in a 38-17 loss to McNeese State last week. Senior fullback Marlin Meeks gained 143 yard on 25 carries.
"That was probably one of the best efforts we've had this year," Colonels' coach Jay Thomas said. "Our guys got better. We played from the beginning to the bitter end."
"It was a typical Nicholls team," McNeese coach Matt Viator said. "They just create a completely different look. Teams have to play disciplined football in order to defend the option."
Nicholls rushed for 250 yards in last season's loss to SFA.
"It won't be any different," SFA coach J.C. Harper said of playing Nicholls. "We'll get everything they've got. We have to know who got what."
Harper said his team is eager to get back on the field, after last week's frustrating loss that included SFA scoring just 7 points in a 416-yard performance.
"Any time a team loses for the first time in conference, it's not good," he said. "We thought we were pretty good. But we realized that we're not as good as we thought we are.
"We have to get back to work, work hard and do the little things right. I've said all along that Nicholls is going to win a football game in our league. We have to do everything to get it done versus Nicholls."
Inside the game
Game time: SFA hosts Nicholls at 6 tonight at Homer Bryce Stadium.
Records: SFA is 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the Southland. Nicholls is 1-7 and 0-4.
Last week: Texas State defeated SFA 28-7. McNeese defeated Nicholls 38-17.
Coaches: SFA's J.C. Harper. Nicholls' Jay Thomas.
TV/Radio: No television tonight. Radio: The game will be carried on KTBQ (107.7 FM). Pregame is 5:45 p.m.
Outlook: SFA can't afford to have any type of hangover from last week's 21-point setback to Texas State. With a league title still within reach, the Lumberjacks need three straight wins to close the regular season, starting with tonight's game against a struggling Nicholls team. Everyone likes to talk about Nicholls' triple-option offense that gives opponents fits. But the match up that matters in this one is SFA's offense that was limited to 7 points last week going up against a Colonel defense that is allowing 43 points per game.
Bottom line: SFA has to come out clicking, ready and roaring. It'll be testy for awhile, but the Lumberjacks should be able to move the football. SFA's defense always defends the option pretty well.
SFA 45, Nicholls 17.
Kevin Gore
