Nov. 12, 2004

SAN MARCOS - An opportunity to stay within striking distance of a Southland Conference title will be on the line Saturday as Texas State plays host to Nicholls State.

Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. in Bobcat Stadium. Pregame ceremonies will include introductions of Texas State's 13 seniors. The game will be broadcast locally on KTSW-FM 89.9 and can also be heard through College Game Pass at txstatebobcats.com.

Texas State (4-5 and 2-1) and Nicholls State (5-3, 2-1) along with Northwestern State are in a log jam for second place in the SLC standings, a game back of undefeated Sam Houston State. The Bearkats travel to Northwestern State on Saturday.

Nicholls State kept pace in the conference race with a 41-23 win over Stephen F. Austin last week. Colonel running backs Colt Colletti and David Plaisance both rushed for over 100 yards and Nicholls had 401 net rushing yards in the win. Nicholls State's Lavinco Brown returned the game's opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.

The Colonels' running game leads the conference and ranks seventh nationally, averaging 259 yards per game. Colletti is averaging 6.0 yards per carry and 67.6 yards per game while freshman fullback Broderick Cole is averaging 56.8 yards per game. The tandem have combined for 10 touchdowns this season.

As for its passing game, Nicholls State averages less than four receptions per game as quarterback Yale Yancy has completed 31-of-70 passes for 629 yards and five touchdowns. Yancy has also rushed for 377 yards and six scores.

Since 1998, Texas State and Nicholls State have played in a game dubbed the "Battle for the Paddle."

A four-foot orr symbolizes the flood of Oct. 17, 1998 which ravaged central Texas with nearly two feet of rain waters over a two-day period. The flood cancelled the originally scheduled game and postponed its play to Nov. 28 of the same season. Texas State won that game 28-27 then shutout the Colonels in 1999 (16-0) and 2000 (25-0). But Nicholls State has won the last three in the series to gain an 11-10 edge in the rivalry.

The two teams have played every year since 1984. Eight of the 21 games played in the series have been decided by a field goal or less while Nicholls' 49-36 win in 1996 was a five-overtime game.

Saturday's game marks the final home contest for 13 Texas State seniors -- Devin Freeman (Tyler), John Tyson (Houston), Ike Chekwa (Harvey, La.), Trevor McKenzie (LaMarque), Tywaun Watkins (Killeen), William Heyward (Seguin), Damian Chandler (San Antonio), Nato James (Converse), Kenyon Leno (Grapevine), Terrell Harris (Kerens), Wade Lightsey (New Braunfels), Ken McKoy (Killeen and Dan Dolce (Wichita, Kan.).

Saturday Weather: Temperature at kickoff is expected to be in the upper 50s and there is a 60 percent chance of precipitation during the day. Winds are expected to be out of the East-Northeast at around 9 mph.