What Is 1995 Nicholls State Colonels football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1995 Nicholls State Colonels football team represented Nicholls State University during the 1995 NCAA Division I-AA football season, finishing with a 4-7 record under head coach Darren Barbier.

Key Facts

1995 Nicholls State Colonels had a 4-7 overall record
Team played in the Southland Conference, finishing 2-4 in conference
Head coach Darren Barbier was in his second season
Home games were played at John L. Guidry Stadium in Thibodaux, Louisiana
Quarterback Chris Varnado led the team with 1,738 passing yards

Overview

The 1995 Nicholls State Colonels football team competed in the NCAA Division I-AA as a member of the Southland Conference. Led by second-year head coach Darren Barbier, the team played its home games at John L. Guidry Stadium in Thibodaux, Louisiana, and finished the season with a 4-7 overall record.

The Colonels showed improvement in several offensive categories compared to the previous year, though they struggled to maintain consistency across the full season. Despite a losing record, the team developed key players who would contribute in future seasons, laying groundwork for program development.

Season Record: The Colonels finished the 1995 season with a 4-7 overall record, including a 2-4 mark in Southland Conference play, placing them in the lower half of the conference standings.
Head Coach:Darren Barbier, in his second year at the helm, led the program through a transitional phase, focusing on rebuilding the roster and improving offensive execution.
Stadium: All home games were played at John L. Guidry Stadium, a 10,500-seat venue located on the Nicholls State campus in Thibodaux, Louisiana.
Offensive Leader: Quarterback Chris Varnado led the passing attack with 1,738 yards and 11 touchdowns, becoming a primary offensive catalyst.
Defensive Highlight: Linebacker Chris Guillot recorded 112 total tackles during the season, leading the team in defensive stops and earning conference recognition.

Season Performance

The 1995 campaign featured a mix of competitive performances and tough losses, particularly against stronger Southland Conference opponents. The team opened the season with a non-conference slate before diving into conference matchups that tested both depth and resilience.

Opening Game: Nicholls State lost its season opener 24-17 to McNeese State, a team that would go on to win the Southland title that year.
Best Win: A 28-21 victory over Northwestern State in October stood out as one of the team’s most complete performances of the season.
Longest Drive: The Colonels executed a 14-play, 80-yard drive in the second quarter against Southeastern Louisiana, culminating in a touchdown.
Turnover Issues: The offense struggled with ball security, committing 18 turnovers over 11 games, which hampered scoring opportunities.
Rivalry Game: The annual Bayou Battle against Southwestern Louisiana (ULL) resulted in a 31-14 loss, continuing a losing streak in the series.
Season Finale: The team closed the year with a 35-20 loss to Sam Houston State, finishing with a three-game losing streak.

Comparison at a Glance

Here is how the 1995 season compared to the previous two years in key statistical categories:

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Passing Yards	Total Tackles
1993	3-8	2-4	1,520	98 (team leader)
1994	3-8	2-5	1,610	104 (team leader)
1995	4-7	2-4	1,738	112 (team leader)
Improvement	+1 win	+0 games	+128 yards	+8 tackles
Final Standing	Southland: 6th	2-4	Varnado: 1,738	Guillot: 112

The table illustrates modest improvements in win total and individual performance from 1993 to 1995. While conference results remained largely unchanged, the upward trend in offensive production and defensive output suggested progress under Barbier’s leadership. The 1995 season served as a bridge between rebuilding years and future competitiveness.

Why It Matters

Though not a championship-caliber season, the 1995 campaign played a role in the long-term development of Nicholls State football. It provided valuable experience for young players and helped shape coaching strategies in subsequent years.

Player Development: Quarterback Chris Varnado’s emergence signaled a more pass-capable offense, setting a precedent for future offensive schemes.
Recruiting Momentum: Competitive performances against top Southland teams helped boost recruiting visibility in Louisiana and Texas.
Stadium Atmosphere: Attendance averaged 5,200 per home game, maintaining strong community support despite the losing record.
Conference Stability: The Southland Conference remained a competitive FCS league, and Nicholls’ participation reinforced its athletic department commitment.
Historical Context: The 1995 season was part of a five-year rebuilding phase that eventually led to improved records in the late 1990s.
Legacy Building: Players like Guillot and Varnado became program benchmarks, inspiring future Colonels to raise performance standards.

The 1995 Nicholls State Colonels may not have made postseason play, but their season contributed to the foundation of a more competitive program in the years to come.