The Nicholls State Colonels and the Southeastern Louisiana Lions will meet on the football field for the 35th time on Thursday night. This series is tied 17-17.

BACKGROUND

The 1st meeting between the 2 schools took place on September 30th, 1972, and the Lions were victorious by a score of 31-9. The home of the Colonels, John L. Guidry Stadium, and the home of the Lions, Strawberry Stadium, are about 90 miles away from each other. These 2 schools played every season from 1972-1985; Southeastern Louisiana did not have a football program from 1986-2002. The Lions rejoined the Southland Conference in 2005, and the rivalry was reborn. The winner of the River Bell Classic each year takes home the River Bell Trophy. The River Bell Trophy, which was redesigned before the 2012 contest, was just a bell for the 1st game in this rivalry.

TOP PERFORMANCES

This game has seen it all: blowouts, close games, high scoring contests, and low scoring contests. This game has seen some great performances by many athletes.

On the Colonel side, in 1977 linebacker Rusty Rebowe, brother of current Nicholls head coach Tim Rebowe, had 23 tackles. In 2019, Dai'Jean Dixon caught 9 passes for 190 yards and 3 TDs, including a game winner with less than a minute remaining. In the Spring of 2021, Julien Gums rushed for 4 TDs in a game that had a combined score of 97 points. In the fall of 2021, Collin Guggenheim ran the ball 29 times for 267 yards and 3 TDs in a game that had a combined score of 87 points.

On the Lion side, in 1972, Gino Marino ran the ball 28 times for 127 yards, in a dominant performance by the Lions. In 1980, Mack Boatner ran the ball 25 times for 135 yards to help the Lions secure a 15 point victory. In 2005, Trey Willie passed for 403 yards and 3 TDs in a 38 to 28 shootout. In 2014, Devante Scott caught 7 passes for 196 yards and 1 TD in a dominant 62-3 Lion victory.

Former Quarterbacks

Chase Fourcade, Nicholls State 2016-2019:

What does the River Bell Classic mean to you?

Chase: This game means a lot to me. Everybody in Louisiana knows what it is all about. It is a rivalry that a lot of players either grew up playing with or against each other. I was 2-2 in this game; you can throw records out of the window. It doesn't matter if you are 0-11 or 8-3. You circle this game on your calendar when the schedule comes out. My sophomore year I threw for right around 100 yards, and my junior year I had a really efficient game throwing the ball. A lot of great players have played in this matchup, which is part of why it means a lot to me.

Take us through that week of practice and school. Does the atmosphere change around campus?

Chase: Playing on Thursday, everything moves up a day; Sunday you are practicing Wednesday you are having your walkthrough; you are pushing everything up. In 2018 we needed that game to go to the playoffs and for a Southland Conference Championship. In 2018, they had a lot of good players. They had a great quarterback, Chason Virgil. Our message that week was, "How can we get better? and "How can we continue to score points?". School did not change much. Everyone is there; you know the place will be packed. You look forward to this. It is a Thursday night matchup; where else would you rather be? You have to play your best football in November.

Talk to us about that 2019 River Bell Classic game. You throw a game winner with 45 seconds left. What was that game and moment like for you?

Chase: We got off to a slow start. They went up 14-0 quick. They had a great scatback type of player, Devonte Williams. I throw a post route that really got me going, and we go on to score 21 unanswered points. We came up with some big defensive stops. I knew it was a Lance Guidry defense that was going to throw a lot at you, but also, I knew that Southeastern was going to do the same things they always do. Fun fact: the kicker who missed the extra point earlier in the game played at Nicholls before transferring. As far as that final drive went, every Sunday we would practice 2 minute drill, and on that drive we had 1:30 left on the clock. Coach Rob called basic day 1 install. On the final play, Dai'Jean had a matchup we really liked; he had a 5'11'' cornerback on him, and Dai'Jean is 6'4". The play call was Deuce 64 Up. We got a big stop from Sully Laiche. 1 blade of grass was our saying that season, and that is what we did. We kept them from getting one more blade of grass. For me, Sully, Evan, and Dontrell, it summed up 4 great years for us; we played with great players and made great memories. After that 2019 game, I remember going back to Nicholls, then heading to Last Call with my guard, PJ Burkhalter, and drinking a beer. This is the last game a lot of players will play, so you get everyone's best.

B.J. Young, Southeastern Louisiana 2008-2011:

What does the River Bell Classic mean to you?

B.J.: The River Bell Classic is a big game. It's a rival game that means a lot for both schools.

Take us through that week of practice and school. Does the atmosphere change around campus?

B.J: Campus is more electric, especially if the game is at your university. Having the game on a Thursday night helps bring a lot more excitement as well. Everyone is on campus on Thursdays. Nothing changed during the week of prep/practice. It is business as usual; the only difference is everything is pushed up a few days and more urgent being that the game is on a Thursday instead of a Saturday.

Talk to us about that 2011 River Bell Classic game. You have over 260 total yards and 2 TDs.

B.J.: The 2011 River Bell was a good game for SLU. We played really well that night. We started fast, which helped and was able to keep the momentum throughout the entire game. Playing at SLU was a great time. I built a lot of great relationships and learned a lot about the game of football that directly affects me in my career today.

CURRENT PLAYER SPOTLIGHT:

Jhy Orgeron: 2 Time Southland Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll & 2 Time All Southland Conference Offensive Lineman



Jhy has been a mainstay on the Lion offensive line these last 3 seasons. Orgeron has helped the Lion offense finish in the top half of the conference since becoming a full-time starter. Jhy was kind enough to give me some of his time this week.

What does the River Bell Classic mean to you? Talk to us about your thoughts on this year's game. What is your favorite River Bell Classic memory? What would it mean to end your Lion regular season career with a win, especially in this game?

Jhy: The River Bell Classic is always something that I look forward to. Big rival game. There's nothing more exciting than ringing that bell and being able to keep the trophy for the year. The year we are tied at 17-17, which is an awesome opportunity for us. Unfortunately, I will not be able to play this year because of an ankle injury, but if we make the playoffs, I should be cleared to play. This year's game is a little different for me. It'll be the first time in four years that I don't see the field. I want nothing more than for us to get the dub in order to maybe have a chance at the playoffs. My best River Bell Classic memory has to be in 2022, when we won the River Bell and the 2022 conference championship. That was a feeling that'll be hard to forget. When you work so hard for something and get the results you want it's an awesome feeling. A win would be big time for me because it may give me a chance to suit up again and ball out at least one more time.

THIS SEASON'S MATCHUP

The 2024 Lions

Southeastern Louisiana, (RV) 6-5, 5-1, has played a tough schedule this season. They have faced 3 teams that are in the FCS top 25 and Tulane, who is in the CFP top 25.

The Lion offense ranks 8th in the SLC in total yards per game (328.5), 5th in the SLC in rushing yards per game (160.7), and 8th in passing yards per game (167.8). This offense is led by quarterback Eli Sawyer. Sawyer has thrown for 1683 yards and 11 TDs this season. Dynamic playmaker Darius Lewis is the leading receiver for the Lions. Lewis has 73 receptions (2nd in the SLC), 711 receiving yards (4th in the SLC), 4 TDs (8th in the SLC), and 351 punt return yards (1st in the SLC). Antonio Martin Jr. is having a great season. Martin Jr. has 1164 rushing yards (1st in the SLC) and 11 rushing TDs (1st in the SLC). Brandon Hayes has 487 kickoff return yards (1st in the SLC) and 1 kickoff return TD (T-1st in the SLC). The Lion defense ranks 2nd in the SLC in total yards given up per game (345.5), 5th in rushing yards given up per game (159.4), and 2nd in passing yards given up per game (183.5). This defense is led by linebacker KK Reno. Reno has 85 tackles on the season (4th in the SLC).

The 2024 Colonels

Nicholls State, 4-7, 2-4, opened up with a tough 3 game stretch out of the gate, playing 2 FBS opponents (Louisiana Tech and LSU) and a solid Sacramento State team.

The Colonel offense ranks 6th in the SLC in total yards per game (342.7), 6th in the SLC in rushing yards per game (159.4), and 6th in the SLC in passing yards per game (183.4). Quarterback Pat McQuaide is the leader of this offense. McQuaide has 1920 passing yards and 13 passing TDs this season. Wide receiver Terry Matthews is a big play waiting to happen. Matthews has 32 receptions for 380 receiving yards this season. Running back Collin Guggenheim has been a force in the Southland Conference since walking on campus. Guggenheim has 178 carries for 790 yards and 7 TDs this season; he ranks in the top 5 in each of these categories. The Colonel defense ranks 1st in the SLC in total yards given up per game (296.6), 1st in the SLC in rushing yards given up per game (78.5), and 4th in the SLC in passing yards given up per game (218.2). This defense is led by linebacker Eli Ennis. Ennis has 104 tackles on the season (3rd in the SLC).

Be sure to tune in Thursday, November 21st, 2024, at 6 PM on ESPN+.

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