Injury means Nicholls will face back-up quarterback in game against Redhawks

Earlier in the week heading into Nicholls’ non-conference home game again Southeast Missouri State University, the Colonels were not sure who they might face at quarterback for the Redhawks.

“We have to prepare for their offense and what they do and (prepare for) both quarterbacks,” Nicholls coach Tim Rebowe said.

As the week developed, they became more certain they would be facing Patrick Heiter.

SEMO starter Paxton DeLaurent, an efficient passer with 11 touchdowns and only two interceptions and 1,792 yards passing in seven games, suffered an injury to his right passing shoulder in the Redhawks’ 28-3 win last week over Tennessee Tech.

Patrick Heitert entered the game in place of DeLaurent and was just as efficient, connecting on 12 of 14 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown.

The Nicholls game will be the second start of Heitert’s career.

When Nicholls takes on Southeast Missouri State at 2 p.m. Saturday on Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium, it will be a contest of teams facing similar seasons.

Nicholls got off to a 0-3 start against the likes of Sacramento State, TCU, and Tulane before winning its first three games in Southland Conference play to even its mark at 3-3 overall, and a more important 3-0 record in SLC play.

SEMO is 3-4 on the season. The Redhawks’ losses have come to Kansas State, Southern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky, and Central Arkansas.

The Redhawks are 3-0 in the Ohio Valley Conference with wins over Lindenwood, Eastern Illinois and Tennessee State. SEMO is on a two-game winning streak.

So, like the Colonels, the Redhawks have faced a tough non-league slate.

“Don’t tell me anything about tough schedules. We know about that,” Rebowe laughed. “He (Southeast Missouri State coach Tom Matukewicz) is doing the same thing. He’s on a little bit of a roll. He’s won. He knows he’s won in conference. He’s trying to build a little bit of momentum for himself in the final three or four conference games he has left to play.”

It’s a similar approach Rebowe has taken with his team for the non-conference encounter.

“I told the guys we’ve got to remember what got us here,” said Rebowe. “We have a good football team coming in. This game will help us along the way for the next one. It has a lot of implications of where we want to get to.”

“We played them last year. We didn’t play them very well when we went over there,” continued Rebowe, referring to the Colonels’ 42-16 loss. They were a very good football team. They have a really good team this year. Their record doesn’t show that. They lost three games by a total of nine points. They are coming in here with a bit of a mission, also.”

Regardless of who may be behind center for the Redhawks, the ball is likely to be handed off to Geno Hess. Hess has rushed for 552 yards and seven touchdowns on 112 carries. DeLaurent is SEMO’s next top rusher with 75 yards.

“I remember him a little bit from last year. He’s a good, tough back. He’s an all-purpose guy,” Rebowe said of Hess.

Hess also is third on the team in receptions with 22 catches for 181 yards.

Tops in catches for SEMO is Demoriea Vick with 49 grabs for 485 yards.

Ryan Flournoy leads the team in reception yards with 575 on 37 catches. In the Redhawks’ win over Tennessee State, Flournoy had six catches for 203 yards and a touchdown.

“We will have to stop the run and put some pressure on the quarterback and shut down the passing game,” said Rebowe.

Inside linebacker Bryce Norman leads the SEMO defense with 49 tackles. Safety Lawrence Johnson has 28.

Outside linebacker Sam Cook leads the team in sacks with two, while a trio of players – Eric Ivory Jr, Joedrick Lewis, and Antonio Taylor – each have two interceptions.

SEMo has allowed 38 or more points in three of its losses this season but is coming off a game in which the Redhawks limited Tennessee Tech to a field goal.

“They’ve given up a few points this year,” Rebowe said. “It will be a challenge for our offense. We will have to see what they give us. I think they do multiple stuff up front like we usually see.  Coach (Rob) Christophel and staff have done a good job of getting into the game and identifying what fronts are going to get. We will have to do that again this week.

“I think our offensive line has been playing a little bit better. We’ve been getting the tight ends involved more in protection along with the running backs. That’s going to have to be a trend this week.

Saturday’s game features a 2 p.m. start, which is an hour earlier than most of the Nicholls home games, but that shouldn’t matter much to a team that holds morning practices.

“It’s a little bit of a change in schedule, but it will be good for us to be in a home routine,” Rebowe said.