THIBODAUX, La. (Interstat) — The Texas A&M-Commerce Lions and Nicholls State Colonels will carry matching 3-6 records into an NCAA Football Championship Division game Saturday at John L. Guidry Stadium. The visiting Lions are coming off a 10-7 win over Southeastern Louisiana, while the host Colonels are trying to bounce back from a 16-3 loss at McNeese State. The forecast at game time is 81 degrees Fahrenheit. Both teams are looking for late-season momentum and are seeking their fourth win of the season.

Texas A&M-Commerce quarterback Reese Mooney is the player to watch for the Lions. In the win over Southeastern Louisiana, Mooney completed 16 of 27 passes for 89 yards. He threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns on 31-of-52 passing in a loss to Prairie View in his previous game. Isaiah Hare and Matthew Goldman each recorded one tackle in the most recent victory. The Lions have posted wins over Northwestern State 38-14, UT Rio Grande Valley 20-17 and Southeastern Louisiana 10-7 this season. They also have losses to Mercer 23-15, Stephen F. Austin 44-7, Tulsa 42-0, McNeese State 27-24, Houston Christian 43-24 and Prairie View 30-19.

Nicholls State quarterback Chase Richardson is the player to watch for the Colonels. In the loss at McNeese State, Richardson completed 3 of 17 passes for 33 yards and ran 21 times for 104 yards. He produced 151 passing yards and two touchdowns while rushing 22 times for 151 yards in a 31-27 win at Northwestern State. Skylar Husband made three tackles and Gavin Duplechin added two in the most recent game. Richardson also carried 15 times for 30 yards and completed 3 of 8 passes for 21 yards in a loss to Stephen F. Austin.

The Colonels have beaten Mississippi Valley State 44-10, UT Rio Grande Valley 31-28 and Northwestern State 31-27 this season. Their losses have come against Kansas State 71-3, Sam Houston 59-0, Lamar 49-18, Houston Christian 16-2, Stephen F. Austin 56-0 and McNeese State 16-3. Nicholls State will next play at Incarnate Word before hosting Southeastern Louisiana. Texas A&M-Commerce will next play at Lamar before hosting Incarnate Word.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Nicholls State 37, Texas A&M-Commerce 31. Interstat’s ELO system gives Nicholls State a 68.5 percent probability to win.