Upset Hopes Of Um’s Foe Wearing Well Nicholls State Coach Hoping To Eliminate Weather Factor From The Equation

Nicholls State football coach Darren Barbier has been trying to get his Louisiana team ready to play in wintery Missoula, but he’s not sure that proper attire will be enough.

“What I’ve been doing is making a bunch of phone calls,” said the head coach of the Nicholls State Colonels. “Trying to find out what they wear up there for games.

“Our goal is to look identical to them (Montana Grizzlies). Whatever they’re wearing, we’ll be wearing. I’m trying to tell the kids it doesn’t make a difference what you’re wearing, it’s all mental.

“I’m trying to take the weather out of this,” Barbier told The Billings (Mont.) Gazette.

The Colonels face the defending national champion Grizzlies today in the first round of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.

Nicholls State is located in the Louisiana bayou, south of New Orleans. Barbier said the temperature has been in the 40s and 50s all week.

“If it’s 35 or 40 up there, that would be great,” he said.

Nicholls State might need more than just nice weather to keep pace with the Grizzlies.

For Montana, the game at Washington-Grizzly Stadium is the first step toward a second straight national title. The Grizzlies are 11-0 and the top seed in the 16-team field.

The Colonels, who placed second in the Southland Conference, are 8-3 and seeded 16th.

They are also one of the biggest success stories of college football. A year ago, Barbier’s first as head coach, Nicholls State finished 0-11.

“I’d be lying to you if I thought we could do it this year,” said Barbier, a former Nicholls State baseball player and successful high school coach in Louisiana before moving up to the college ranks.

“We only have 12 seniors on the roster and we only start six. Our kids are ecstatic about being in the playoffs. It’s amazing how far we’ve come in a year,” Barbier said.

Nicholls State has achieved its turnaround with balance on offense and a steady defense.

“Offensively, our strength is our ability to control the football. Our goal is to keep it away from Montana as much as we can. We’ll probably put everyone in the stands asleep, we’ll be so boring.”

However, ball control has never been a concern of Montana’s with its quick-strike passing game.

“They’re awesome,” Barbier said of Montana. “They’re very good. Probably the best team we’ve played.

“What jumps out is the effort those people play with. The defense plays hard, always. And so does the offense. They know they are a good football team. I hope we can go up and do something against them.”