What Is 2010 Nicholls State Colonels football

Overview

The 2010 Nicholls State Colonels football team represented Nicholls State University during the 2010 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing as a member of the Southland Conference, the team was led by head coach Charlie Stubbs in his fifth year at the helm.

The Colonels played their home games at John L. Guidry Stadium in Thibodaux, Louisiana, a venue with a capacity of approximately 10,500. Despite showing flashes of offensive potential, the team struggled with consistency and finished the season with a losing record.

• Overall record: The Colonels finished the season 5–6, their first non-losing season since 2005, narrowly missing a winning record.
• Conference performance: They went 4–5 in Southland Conference play, placing them in the lower half of the league standings.
• Head coach: Charlie Stubbs served as head coach, having taken over the program in 2006 and aiming to rebuild its competitiveness.
• Home stadium: John L. Guidry Stadium, named after a former university president, has been the team's home since 1975.
• Offensive leader: Quarterback Jason Broussard started 10 games, throwing for 1,876 yards and 12 touchdowns with 10 interceptions.

Season Performance and Key Players

The 2010 campaign featured a mix of promising performances and missed opportunities, particularly in close conference matchups. The team showed improvement in offensive output compared to previous seasons but lacked depth on defense.

• Passing game: Jason Broussard completed 58.3% of his passes, averaging 187.6 yards per game over 11 contests.
• Leading receiver: Wideout Darnell Hollier caught 45 passes for 605 yards and 5 touchdowns, emerging as a key target.
• Top rusher: Running back Reggie Johnson led the ground game with 618 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on 147 carries.
• Defensive standout: Linebacker Javarus McClellan recorded 102 tackles, becoming the first Colonels player to surpass 100 in a season since 2005.
• Special teams: Kicker Tyler Lafleur converted 8 of 11 field goal attempts, including a long of 45 yards.
• Season-opening win: Nicholls opened with a 24–21 victory over Southeastern Louisiana, marking a rare non-conference win.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2010 Nicholls State Colonels' performance against key Southland Conference rivals from the same season.

This table highlights that while Nicholls State was competitive, they allowed more points than they scored (–38 point differential). They outperformed Lamar but fell short of rivals like Sam Houston State, who advanced to the FCS playoffs. The Colonels' schedule included tough road losses to strong teams, contributing to their sub-.500 finish.

Why It Matters

The 2010 season was a transitional year that laid groundwork for future development within the Nicholls State football program. Though not a championship contender, the team demonstrated growth under Stubbs’ leadership and identified key players for the future.

• The 5–6 record marked Nicholls State’s best since 2005, signaling modest improvement after years of losing seasons.
• Developing quarterback Jason Broussard provided optimism for the offense heading into 2011.
• Javarus McClellan’s 102-tackle season earned him All-Southland Conference honorable mention honors.
• The close 21–20 loss to McNeese State showed the team could compete with top conference teams.
• Improved fan attendance at Guidry Stadium reflected growing local interest in the program.
• The season concluded with a 31–24 loss to rival Northwestern State, underscoring the need for consistency.

Ultimately, the 2010 season served as a stepping stone. While it didn’t result in postseason play, it helped build momentum that would later contribute to more successful campaigns in the mid-2010s under new leadership.