Sport Football Meetings total 30 | Trophy Paddle Trophy | |
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First meeting October 4, 1980
Nicholls State 24, Southwest Texas State 21 Latest meeting October 1, 2011
Texas State 38, Nicholls State 12 All-time series Nicholls State leads, 16–14 | ||
The Battle for the Paddle is the result of a game postponement. In fall 1998, the Nicholls State Colonels were scheduled to take on the Texas State Bobcats. Prior to the game, heavy rains flooded San Marcos, Texas and the field at Texas State. Athletic directors and coaches from both schools decided to postpone the game and coined the annual contest the "Battle for the Paddle," joking that fans and athletes needed to use a boat and paddle to get to the game. The game eventually took place on November 28, 1998 with Texas State prevailing 28–27 to win the Paddle Trophy.
Nicholls State Athletic Director Rob Bernardi brought controversy to the final chapter of the rivalry in 2011, when he refused to bring the Paddle Trophy to San Marcos due to Texas State having a scholarship advantage as an FCS transitional school. Texas State won the last Battle for the Paddle 38–12. It is unknown whether the two schools will schedule each other in the future.
Nicholls State leads series 16–14.