What Is 1986 Nicholls State Colonels football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1986 Nicholls State Colonels football team represented Nicholls State University in the 1986 NCAA Division I-AA football season, finishing with a 5–6 record under head coach Sonny Jackson. They competed in the Southland Conference and played their home games at John L. Guidry Stadium in Thibodaux, Louisiana. The team scored 184 points while allowing 235 over 11 games.

Key Facts

The 1986 Nicholls State Colonels finished with a 5–6 overall record
Head coach Sonny Jackson was in his fourth season leading the team
They played home games at John L. Guidry Stadium in Thibodaux, LA
The Colonels scored 184 total points, averaging 16.7 per game
They allowed 235 points, averaging 21.4 per game in 1986

Overview

The 1986 Nicholls State Colonels football team represented Nicholls State University during the 1986 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Competing as a member of the Southland Conference, the team was led by head coach Sonny Jackson, who was in his fourth year at the helm. The Colonels played their home games at John L. Guidry Stadium in Thibodaux, Louisiana, a venue that has hosted the program since 1972.

This season marked a transitional period for the program, as it sought to build consistency in a competitive conference. The team faced a challenging schedule, including matchups against regional rivals and strong I-AA opponents. Despite not achieving a winning record, the 1986 season contributed to the long-term development of the football program at Nicholls State.

Record: The Colonels finished the 1986 season with a 5–6 overall record, including a 3–3 mark in Southland Conference play.
Scoring: They scored 184 total points across 11 games, averaging 16.7 points per contest, ranking them below the national average.
Defense: The defense allowed 235 points, averaging 21.4 points per game, indicating struggles in containing opposing offenses.
Home Field: All home games were played at John L. Guidry Stadium, a 10,500-seat facility located on the university's campus.
Historical Context: This season was part of a decade-long effort to establish Nicholls State as a competitive FCS-level program in the Southland Conference.

How It Works

The 1986 season operated within the structure of NCAA Division I-AA football, now known as the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Teams competed in regular-season games to qualify for conference standings and potential postseason consideration, though Nicholls State did not reach the playoffs in 1986.

Division I-AA: The NCAA Division I-AA classification governed the team’s eligibility, scheduling, and scholarship limits during the 1986 season.
Southland Conference: As a member of the Southland Conference, Nicholls State played a conference schedule against teams like Northwestern State and McNeese State.
Schedule: The team played 11 games in 1986, facing six Division I-AA opponents and five non-Division I teams.
Coaching: Head coach Sonny Jackson oversaw all aspects of the program, including game strategy, player development, and recruiting efforts.
Player Roster: The roster included 85 scholarship and non-scholarship athletes, primarily from Louisiana and surrounding southern states.
Game Structure: Each game followed standard NCAA football rules, with four 15-minute quarters and standard scoring and substitution rules.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1986 Nicholls State Colonels with select Southland Conference peers based on season records and scoring statistics:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Points Scored	Points Allowed
Nicholls State	5–6	3–3	184	235
McNeese State	7–4	5–1	247	178
Northwestern State	4–7	2–4	176	223
Southwestern Louisiana	6–5	4–2	210	198
Lamar	7–4	4–2	254	189

The table highlights that Nicholls State ranked in the middle of the Southland Conference pack in 1986. While they outperformed Northwestern State in wins, they trailed McNeese State and Lamar, who had stronger conference finishes and better scoring margins. The Colonels’ point differential of -51 reflected ongoing challenges in closing games and defensive consistency.

Why It Matters

The 1986 season is a notable chapter in the history of Nicholls State football, reflecting both the challenges and progress of a developing FCS program. Though not a standout year, it contributed to the foundation for future improvements in the late 1980s and 1990s.

The season helped evaluate the effectiveness of Sonny Jackson’s coaching strategies under competitive pressure.
Player development during 1986 provided experience that benefited future rosters in subsequent seasons.
Competing in the Southland Conference kept Nicholls State integrated in a stable regional football structure.
The team’s performance influenced recruiting efforts, as future signees assessed program competitiveness.
Game attendance and local media coverage reflected community engagement with the football program.
Historical records from 1986 are preserved in the university archives and NCAA databases.

Understanding this season offers insight into the evolution of mid-major college football programs during the 1980s, a period of growth and reorganization in NCAA Division I-AA.