1. Let's Get It Started
Sacramento State will make its 2023 season debut when it travels to Nicholls for a Thursday evening tilt in Thibodaux, La. The Hornets enter the game ranked eighth in the NCAA FCS Coaches Poll and are 10th in the preseason Stats FCS media poll. Sacramento State is 30-37-1 all-time in season openers and is 12-28-1 when starting the year away from home. The Hornets have won their last three against FCS opponents winning at Incarnate Word (2014) and a pair of games against Utah Tech (2021, 2022).

The Colonels, who posted a 3-8 overall record last season, have been very strong in season opening games under head coach Tim Rebowe, going 6-2. Nicholls has not lost a season opener at home since falling to ULM in 1992.

2. The First Time in Forever
Head coach Andy Thompson will also be in his first game at the helm of Sacramento State. Thompson was promoted to the head coaching role in December after serving as the defensive coordinator since 2019. He became the first person to earn the position after previously serving as a Sacramento State assistant coach since Mike Clemons in 1993 (Note: Jody Sears was elevated from DC to head coach prior to the 2014 season but Sears never coached a game as an assistant with the team.)

3. They're Going the Distance
Sacramento State will be traveling to Louisiana for just the second time in school history. The team's previous encounter came in 1977 where it lost a game at Louisiana Tech. The only other time the Hornets faced a school from the Pelican State was the 1968 Junior Rose Bowl against Grambling. The farthest Sacramento State has ever traveled to a game was a 1996 contest at Hofstra (Hempstead, N.Y.)

4. Look Who's Back, Back Again
The Hornets return 17 starters from a year ago, including five who earned preseason all-Big Sky honors and a trio of FCS Preseason All-Americans. Tight end Marshel Martin headlines the group earning All-America accolades from four organizations as well as being named to the Reese's Senior Bowl and Payton Award watch lists. Linebacker Armon Bailey and offensive lineman Jackson Slater were also recognized as preseason All-Americans. The quintet is completed by running back Marcus Fulcher and cornerback Caleb Nelson who joined the other three on the preseason all-Big Sky team.

Nicholls also has a wealth of experience with 17 returning starters, including 10 on defense.

5. How To Follow The Action
All 11 regular season games will be broadcast live on ESPN 1320 with Jason Ross, Steve McElroy and Danny Sullivan calling the game. The contest can also be seen on ESPN+.