Nicholls State football team is left stranded in a remote Illinois airport for 22 HOURS with no food or water after losing playoff game

Division I football program Nicholls State was stuck at an airport in Marion, Illinois for nearly a day after “several unforeseen circumstances” caused continued delays in returning home.

The Colonels arrived at the airport Saturday evening following their season-ending FCS playoff loss to nearby Southern Illinois University. However, being blown out 35-0 by the Salukis was just the beginning of their problems.

According to Nicholls State athletic director Jonathan Terrell, as of 10 a.m. Sunday, the team had two canceled flights and remained at the airport for a total of 22 hours.

How else Nicholls State came to be in a position to be stranded is unclear, and the NCAA has not yet commented on the incident.

“The well-being of student athletes is important,” Terrell said on X. “7 hours in an airport No transportation No food and no water!!!!”

For the first few hours the team was stuck at the airport, the team was without water and food

After poor sleeping conditions, everyone from Nicholls States left Illinois early Sunday evening

Terrell posted several photos on social media of players lying on the airport floor, some under chairs and tables, just after 2 a.m. local time.

At 9 a.m., Terrell thanked Southern Illinois head football coach Nick Hill and the Saluki program for delivering water, Gatorade and snacks.

Just after 5pm on Sunday, Terrell posted photos of the team and staff members in good spirits. He also gave a shoutout to 17th Street BBQ of Murphysboro, Illinois, which appears to have provided a meal for those stuck inside.

Terrell posted “Wheels up” on social media later that evening, indicating that the team’s plane had departed for the campus in Thibodaux, Louisiana. The team landed safely some time later.

Nicholls State made its first playoff appearance since 2019.