The Troy State football team (5-2, 2-1 SFL) practiced for two hours in pads and shorts on Wednesday in preparation for Saturday’s homecoming matchup against Nicholls State (1-7, 0-4).

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at Richard M. Scrushy Field in Memorial Stadium.

"We need to be focused this week and I think the guys are doing a great job of coming out to the practice field everyday and understanding the task at hand and what everyone needs to do," said Troy State head football coach Larry Blakeney.

The Trojans are preparing for the run-dominated Colonels.

"We will continue to prepare ourselves for their option offense since we haven’t seen it much this season, it will be a different look for us on defense,"said Blakeney. "We have to know our assignments on defense and don’t let them beat us on big plays."

On offense the Trojans are focused mainly on taking care of the ball. "Turnovers are crucial, and we need to make sure that we give the ball up as little as possible and make them earn everything, so as long as we take care of the ball we will be alright," said Blakeney.

With the number one ranked place kicker and punter in the league for Nicholls State the Trojans kick and punt return teams have lengthened the time they work on their drills in practice.

"We know that their kicks are going to be long," said Blakeney, "We need to make sure we catch the ball and get some yardage back on the return and give our offense good field position."