Troy Welcomes The Colonels For A Week 1 Matchup

The 2025 season begins Saturday night in Troy, Alabama, as the Troy Trojans welcome the Nicholls State Colonels to Veterans Memorial Stadium. It’s the first step in what head coach Gerad Parker hopes will be a turnaround season after last year’s 4–8 finish.

Trojans Looking to Reset

Troy enters with a new sense of urgency. The Trojans were picked to finish sixth in the Sun Belt West Division, but the return of quarterback Goose Crowder offers optimism. Crowder, who missed most of 2024 due to injury, has shown poise in fall camp and is expected to lead a more balanced offensive attack.

The offense also features running back Damien Taylor, who is expected to be the workhorse in the backfield. Wide receiver Deshon Stoudemire, a big-play threat, will be another name to watch as Troy looks to stretch the field vertically. On defense, linebacker Javon Solomon, one of the Sun Belt’s most disruptive edge rushers, is back to anchor a unit that aims to return to its reputation as one of the league’s toughest.

For Troy, Saturday is about more than just getting a win—it’s about setting a tone. With Clemson, Memphis, and Buffalo looming on the schedule, the Trojans need a strong opener to establish rhythm and confidence.

Colonels Riding Early Momentum

Nicholls already has a game under its belt, and it was an impressive one. The Colonels opened their season in Week 0 with a 20–6 victory over Incarnate Word, the defending Southland Conference champion.

Quarterback Deuce Hogan led the way, throwing for 221 yards and a touchdown while showing command of the offense. Wide receiver Kendal Johnson emerged as his top target, hauling in big catches to keep drives alive. Running back Collin Guggenheim provided balance on the ground, pounding out tough yards and keeping the offense on schedule.

Defensively, the Colonels were dominant. They held Incarnate Word to just six points, forcing multiple turnovers and consistently pressuring the quarterback. Linebacker Eli Ennis and safety Jordan Jackson stood out, helping to limit explosive plays and swing momentum with timely stops.

Nicholls may be an FCS program, but the Colonels’ early-season confidence and battle-tested defense make them a dangerous opponent for Troy.

The Matchup

This will be the sixth all-time meeting between the programs, with Troy holding a 4–1 edge. Their last meeting came in 2001, a 26–0 Trojans win.

Oddsmakers list Troy as a heavy favorite, around 20 points, with an over/under set near 48.5. While the Trojans are expected to control the game with their FBS depth, Nicholls comes in with momentum and belief after handling one of the Southland’s best in Week 0.

What to Watch

• Goose Crowder’s return: How sharp will he look in his first live action since last year’s injury?

• Troy’s pass rush: Can Solomon and the defensive front disrupt Hogan before he finds a rhythm?

• Nicholls’ defensive toughness: The Colonels stifled Incarnate Word—can they slow down an FBS offense for four quarters?

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT) in Troy. For the Trojans, it’s a chance to reset expectations in Year Two under Parker. For Nicholls, it’s an opportunity to prove last week’s win was just the beginning of a statement season.