Georgia's 2016 Early Season Opponent's Preview: Nichols State

As UGASports continues taking an early look at Bulldog opponents for 2016, we turn our attention to Georgia's first home foe of the upcoming campaign: Nichols State.

Georgia Bulldogs vs. Nichols State Colonels

Sanford Stadium, Athens, Georgia

Sept. 10, 2016, Noon

Nichols head coach: Tim Rebowe (2nd season, 3-8)

Coordinators: Rob Christophel (Offensive coordinator); Tommy Rybacki (defensive coordinator)

Nichols State 2015 record: 3-8 (Tied for sixth in Southland Conference)

2015 offensive stats: 89th nationally (FCS) in total offense (329 YPG), 95th in scoring offense (17.7 PPG), 104th in passing offense (147.5 YPG), 41st in rushing offense (181.5)

2015 defensive stats: 90th nationally in total defense (421.9 YPG), 86th in scoring defense (32.5 PPG), 67th in passing defense (127.03), 118th in rushing defense (243.7 YPG)

Returning leading passer: Senior Tuskani Figaro is set to be the Colonels’ starting quarterback after completing 91 of 164 passes for 925 yards and four touchdowns.

Returning leading rusher: Figaro is also the team’s leading returning rusher with 94 carries for 456 yards and four touchdowns after Nichols State graduated its top two running backs from last year

Returning leading receiver: WR C.J. Bates (28 catches for 395 yards and three touchdowns). Bates only started three of 10 games for the Colonels, who also bring back Jarrell Rogers (12-130), Damion Jeanpiere (7-199), Stephen LeBouef (12-123) and Josh Singleton (17-104).

Returning leading tackler: Linebacker Hezekiah White (96 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss). Safety B.T. Sanders was next with 75 tackles, four pass breakups and three forced fumbles.

Returning leaders in interceptions: Cornerback Ahmani Martin picked off three passes as a true freshman last year. The rest of the team had just four.

Five Questions with Teddy Renois of the Daily Comet in Lafayette, Louisiana

What was your biggest takeaway from spring practice?

TR: "The attitude was the biggest difference this past spring. After going 0-12 in 2014, and starting 0-5 in 2015, Nicholls finished with a flourish going 3-3 which included a last-season win over rival Southeastern Louisiana to close the season. While 3-8 doesn't sound like much but when you lose 23 straight games, winning those three games really turned the mood of the program into a huge positive. The players carried that positive attitude into spring and it showed in their effort and their want to get better."

What’s the biggest challenge facing the team heading into the year?

TR: "While depth and health are always a challenge for any football team, I would say the biggest challenge for Nicholls is its kicking game. Nicholls got very little in the way of kickoff and punt returns and was shaky on its kick and punt coverage units. The Colonels were ranked near or at the bottom in the Southland Conference in several special teams categories and if Nicholls expects to improve in 2016, the kicking game has to improve. Also the Colonels are still looking for a place-kicker/kickoff specialists, so there is still a lot of unanswered questions on special teams."

What’s the biggest offensive storyline for this year?

TR: "The biggest question on offense is the running back position. Nicholls graduated two all-conference performers in Michael Henry and Tobias Lofton and during the spring they had hoped either Kaleb Kador and T. J. Scott would grab hold of the position but it didn't happen. Kador, who had a broken hand in spring, put the ball on the ground too much and Scott was inconsistent at best. I would expect a FBS transfer or two to come in over the summer and the 2016 recruiting class had four running backs, who all will be given a chance to compete."

What’s the biggest defensive storyline for this year?

TR: "The defensive line has to be better if this defensive is to improve. Under the previous coach, Nicholls didn't recruit well along its defensive front as the Colonels were small and gave up rushing yards at a record pace. Last year, the defensive line was still small, but played better under the new coaching staff and scheme. The 2016 signing class feature several defensive linemen with size and that is needed in the Colonels 3-4 scheme. The Colonels held the point of attack better last season, but its defensive line not only has to continue to hold the point of attack, but do better in penetration and applying pressure to opposing quarterbacks for the defense to take another step forward."

What’s the outlook for 2016?

TR: "Well, if Nicholls finished 3-8 after losing 23 straight, what's to say the Colonels can't win a few more games in 2016. Nicholls lost three conference games by a total of 17 points last season. If Nicholls catches a break in those games, the Colonels could have been 6-5. Again, I'm not ready to put this team with the elites of the SLC, but winning five games isn't out of the question and with a break or two, 6-5 seems possible. I really think this team has to be as to survive the September gauntlet of Georgia, Incarnate Word, South Alabama and McNeese State, health-wise, to challenge five or six wins this season."