NORTHWESTERN STATE Demons 2018 FOOTBALL

Northwestern State 8/30 at Texas A&M (SEC Network) 7:30 Northwestern State Demons 9/8 Grambling 6:00 at 9/15 * at Lamar (ESPN+) 6:00 Texas A&M Aggies 9/29 * at Southeastern Louisiana 7:00 10/6 * Nicholls 6:00 7:36 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 30 10/13 * Sam Houston State 6:00 10/20 * at Central Arkansas 6:00 Kyle Field (102,733) 10/27 * Houston Baptist 6:00 College Station, Texas 11/3 * at Abilene Christian 2:30 11/10 * McNeese 6:00 Radio: The Demon Sports Network 11/15 * at Stephen F. Austin 6:00 (Patrick Netherton, Play-by-Play • Tony Taglavore, Sideline Reporter) *denotes Southland Conference game Texas A&M 8/30 Northwestern State (SEC Network) 7:30 TV: SEC Network 9/8 Clemson 6:00 ( Tom Hart, Play-by-Play • Jordan Rodgers, Analyst • Cole Cubelic, On-Field Analyst) 9/15 ULM 6:30 9/29 * at Alabama TBA Demons’ 2018 debut ushers in Laird era on big stage 10/6 *^ Arkansas TBA The biggest audience, in person and on TV, to ever watch a Northwestern State 10/13 * Kentucky TBA football game awaits Thursday night as the Demons kick off their 110th year and 10/20 * at South Carolina TBA 108th season of football. 10/27 * at Mississippi State TBA 11/3 * at Auburn TBA Former player (1992-95) and assistant coach (1996, 2003-05, 2008-11, 2017) 11/10 * Ole Miss TBA 11/17 * UAB TBA Brad Laird, the Demons’ career passing leader, begins his first season at head 11/24 * LSU TBA coach in front of probably the largest crowd (highest is 92,405 at LSU in 2011), *denotes Southland Conference game definitely the largest venue (previous high 92,400 at Tiger Stadium, 2011) and ^ Southwest Classic at ATT Stadium, Arlington, Texas certainly the largest TV audience (SEC Network) in school history. Northwestern State Quick Facts Location ...... Natchitoches, Louisiana Laird stressing accountability, effort, attitude, tempo Founded ...... 1884 Athletic Affiliation ...... NCAA Division I FCS The hallmarks of Brad Laird’s program at NSU are already established. He didn’t Enrollment ...... 10,572 take over a total rebuild: the Demons were already trending upward academically Colors ...... Purple & White, orange trim with a team GPA over 2.9, a rising NCAA APR approaching 970, over 100 gradu- All-Time Record ...... 532-465-35 (.532) ates since 2013, two Academic All-Americans this decade, a strong community 2017 Record ...... 4-7 (4-5 SLC) service track record, and 15 players in pro football since 2010 (most recent NFL Starters Returning/Lost . 14 (5 off, 6 def, 3 ST)/14 (9) Draft pick, 2015 Jets DT Deon Simon). Letterwinners Returning/Lost ...... 43/25 Southland Conference Championships/last ..... 4, 2004 But NSU has not been over .500 overall since 2008. Since then, NSU has gone 24- NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances/last ...... 4, 2004 46 (.353) in Southland Conference games, winless in league play in 2009 and Offensive Scheme ...... Multiple 2016. The Demons’ last winning league record was 4-3 in 2010. They did win 3 Defensive Scheme ...... Multiple, 4-2-5 base Head Coach ...... Brad Laird of their last 4 in 2017 and finished 4-5, tied for sixth in the 11-team standings, and Record at NSU ...... 0-0 had last minute road losses in league play at FCS playoff entries Nicholls (14-10) Record Overall ...... 0-0 (1st year) and Sam Houston State (40-35). NSU Sports Information Director ...... Doug Ireland Laird’s first step as head coach: demanding accountability. Hired two days after Phone ...... 318-357-6467 the 2017 season finale, with the team home for Thanksgiving break, Laird’s first Cell ...... 318-471-2086 team meeting took five days to conduct, because not every one of the players re- Email ...... [email protected] ported on time and after the first failure, he reconvened each morning at 5:30 Assistants ...... Jason Pugh, Matt Vines until all were present the following Thursday morning. Turpin Stadium Press Box ...... 318-357-4529 Website ...... NSUDemons.com At that meeting, he emphasized cornerstone values of effort, attitude and tempo. NSU Athletics Twitter ...... @NSUDemons NSU Football Twitter ...... @NSUDemonsFB He didn’t talk about winning games, but winning championships, and how person- Hashtag ...... #StandUnited al conduct, responsibility, and pursuing excellence in every aspect of college life is Facebook ...... /NSUDemons vital to that process. Game One • Northwestern State at Texas A&M • Thursday, August 30, 2018 • 7:30 p.m. The Demons will play with a fast tempo offensively and are operating with a con- The Demons - Aggies Series stant sense of urgency. They use the hashtag #EAT representing a commitment to Series ...... 0-0 effort, attitude and tempo. Last Meeting ...... First Meeting ...... NSU has experienced coordinators, both former head coaches At Texas A&M ...... 0-0 Brad Laird made cornerstone hires to run NSU’s offense and defense, tapping At Northwestern State ...... 0-0 longtime Trinity Valley (CC) head coach (2007-17, 11 seasons) Brad Smiley, a Aggies’ Longest Streak ...... 0 Natchitoches native with an NSU master’s degree, and former Southeastern Loui- Demons’ Longest Streak ...... 0 siana head coach (2007-11, five full seasons, plus 2006 as acting HFC) Mike Lu- Current Streak ...... 0 cas, a veteran of 26 seasons in the Southland Conference.

Lucas has 21 seasons as a defensive coordinator in the Southland, the last in 2014 Demons vs. SEC teams (since WWII) at NSU, when in his only season with the Demons, his Purple Swarm defense 2015 ...... at Mississippi State 62, NSU 13 forced 30 turnovers, fifth in FCS. As DC at Sam Houston State, Lucas game- 2011 ...... at No. 2 LSU 49, NSU 3 planned against Demon QB Laird from 1992-95. 2007 ...... at Ole Miss 38, NSU 31 2006 ...... at Ole Miss 27, NSU 7 Smiley and Laird actually shared an office as NSU staffers under iconic HFC Sam 2002 ...... at No. 4 Georgia 45, NSU 7 Goodwin in 1996. For the past 11 seasons, Smiley’s offenses have rocked the 1998 ...... at No. 25 Missouri 35, NSU 14* NJCAA world while the Cardinals stacked up wins, going 49-9 since 2013, setting 1947 ...... at Arkansas 64, NSU 0* six NCJAA team offensive records, including total offense pg (656.1 in 2015). 1946 ...... at No. 11 Arkansas 21, NSU 14*

• Missouri, Arkansas weren’t SEC members then Some prominent Aggies have NSU ties • NSU is 0-20 all-time vs. SEC foes Highly-successful Texas A&M head coaches Rob Childress (baseball) and Billy

Kennedy (basketball) are former Demon assistant coaches, while Gary Blair

(women’s basketball) had a spirited, friendly rivalry with his dear friend James Smith at NSU while Blair launched his head coaching career at Southland rival NSU’s 11 FBS Wins (since 1977) Stephen F. Austin from 1985-92. They used to each put a quarter on the score- 2014 ...... NSU 30, at Louisiana Tech 27 table before tipoff, with the last one to shed his blazer collecting the half-dollar. 2005 ...... NSU 27 at UL Monroe 23 2003 ...... NSU 14, at UL Monroe 10 Childress (with the Demons 1995-97) was pitching coach for two Southland Con- 2001 ...... NSU 27, at TCU 24 (OT) ference championship teams under Dave Van Horn (now Arkansas’ head coach). 2000 ...... NSU 23, at UL Lafayette 21 Notably, Childress signed and developed four pitchers who became 1998 MLB 1998 ...... NSU 24, at UL Lafayette 22 Draft picks, including Brian Lawrence, who made two Opening Day starts for the 1996 ...... NSU 20, at Boise State 16 Padres in his seven-year MLB career. 1995 ...... NSU 42, at UL Monroe 39 1992 ...... NSU 24, at Arkansas State 18 Kennedy spent the 1989-90 season as assistant coach under Dan Bell, then com- 1991 ...... NSU 28, at Arkansas State 3 peted against NSU as head coach at nearby Centenary and Southland Conference 1984 ...... NSU 22, at Southern Mississippi 0 and in-state rival Southeastern Louisiana. His first NCAA Tournament berth was won at NSU in a 2005 upset of the Demons in the Southland Tournament finals. Near Demon Delights vs. FBS Foes 2007 ...... 38-31 loss at Ole Miss Several NSU alumni have worked at A&M on the faculty, including current health 2003 ...... 27-24 OT loss at Tulane* and kinesiology assistant professor Dr. Michael Thornton, who played on the 1996 ...... 13-10 loss at UL Monroe 1990-91 team Kennedy helped coach. 1994 ...... 38-28 loss at Louisiana Tech 1946 ...... 14-7 loss at No. 11 Arkansas A&M assistant Peveto is former Demon assistant, head coach • NSU missed a 38-yard FG on last play before OT at Tulane Texas A&M assistant Bradley Dale Peveto owns a home in Natchitoches, and says he plans to settle here after his coaching days conclude. He’s lived in Natchitoches two different times, as defensive coordinator for Sam Goodwin’s Demons from 1996-98, and as head coach for four seasons from 2009-12. The Pevetos (wife Melissa, children Payton and Jake) maintain close friendships with many locals.

Peveto mentored NSU head coach Brad Laird in Laird’s first year in coaching, 1996. Peveto was brought in as the Demons’ DC. Laird, after his record-breaking career as the Demon QB, became a defensive student assistant for 1996. They reunited in 2009 when Peveto retained Laird as defensive coordinator upon being named NSU’s head coach. Game One • Northwestern State at Texas A&M • Thursday, August 30, 2018 • 7:30 p.m. One big Demon is also a proud Aggie Demon football staff Massive NSU offensive line coach J Pond joined the Demon staff in the winter, having previously spent seven seasons alongside OC Brad Smiley at Trinity Valley Head Coach CC. He is a proud 2005 Texas A&M graduate and former offensive lineman for ...... Brad Laird (10th season, 1st as HC) ...... Northwestern State, 1998 the Aggies, first as a walk-on for coach R.C. Slocum and earning a scholarship while playing for OL coach Jim Bob Helduser and head coach Dennis Franchione. Asst. Head Coach & Cornerbacks He was a two-year letterman and part of teams that played in the 2004 Cotton ...... De’Von Lockett (9th season) ...... Northwestern State, 2002 Bowl and the 2006 Holiday Bowl. Offensive Coor./Running Backs/Tight Ends While growing up as an only child on a farm near Abilene, his father told him ...... Brad Smiley (1st season) Texas A&M was the only college he would pay tuition to for his son. He calls it ...... Baylor, 1995, and Northwestern State, 1995

“the experience of a lifetime. I wanted to be an Aggie from when I was very Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers young. I loved it.” Pond set an A&M record in the hang clean with a lift of 407 ...... Mike Lucas (2nd season) pounds...... Liberty, 1982

Defensive Line Pond is playing hurt. He has a fractured tibia sustained on the first day of full pads, ...... LeDell Love (4th season, 1st since 2014) in the opening “Circle of Champions” drill (old Oklahoma 1-1 drill) when two ...... Northwestern State, 2010 contestants ran into him as he held his Ipad high over his head to video the drill with the entire team thronging around the competitors. He was upset about the Safeties ...... Jake Olsen (2nd season) Ipad getting broken, but didn’t know he was seriously hurt until later that day. He ...... Valley City State, 2012 has been using a cane. Offensive Line Demons in the SEC spotlight ...... J Pond (1st season) ...... Texas A&M, 2006 Some prominent Southeastern Conference figures spent quality time at NSU: Quarterbacks SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey: the New York state native began his ad- ...... Anthony Scelfo (1st season) ministrative career and had his only coaching experience at NSU, getting hired as ...... Tulane, 2013 an intern and golf coach in 1990. Quickly he was promoted to become the Wide Receivers Demons’ first full-time NCAA compliance director. After two seasons as golf ...... Alvin Slaughter (3rd season) coach (notably once getting stuck in the elevator at Turpin Stadium while showing ...... Clarion (PA), 1999 a recruit around on a Sunday), Sankey moved to the Southland Conference as Head Strength & Conditioning Coach compliance coordinator...... Jared Myatt (2nd season) ...... Louisiana College, 2015 LSU football coach Ed “Bebe” Orgeron: a high school teammate of future Head Athletic Trainer NFL QB Bobby Hebert, who signed with the Demons, Orgeron was a DT who ...... Jason Drury (14th season) signed at LSU but quit during his first preseason camp. Hebert convinced him to ...... Idaho State, 1999 and Northwestern State, 2001 come to NSU, sight-unseen, and Orgeron became one of the Demons “Top 100 Players of the Century” chosen in the 2007 football centennial. His coach for his Director of Football Operations senior season, Sam Goodwin, hired him as a defensive assistant coach in 1984...... Dan Korn (15th season) ...... Northwestern State, 1994 The Demons won the Gulf Star Conference that year. Administrative Graduate Assistants Mississippi State AD John Cohen: hired to succeed Dave Van Horn as NSU .. Travon Carter (Eastern Kentucky, 2014, 1st season) head baseball coach in January 1998, Cohen won two Southland titles in four sea- ... Dakota Gallant (UNC-Charlotte, 2016, 1st season) sons, then went to Florida as an assistant, became head coach at Kentucky and his ...... Gerald Howse (Georgia State, 2014. 1st season) .... Jamaal Lewis (SW Oklahoma St. 2014, 2nd season) alma mater, Mississippi State, before being elevated to AD. NSU will play football ...... Jared Smith (UL Lafayette, 2018, 1st season) at Hail State in 2021. ...Chase Thompson (Louisiana Tech, 2017, 1st season) ...... Brian Williams (UL Monroe, 2017, 1st season) Arkansas baseball coach Dave Van Horn: succeeded Jim Wells as the ...... Jack Witte (Millsaps, 2018, 1st season) Demons’ head coach in 1995, Van Horn won a pair of Southland crowns in three Head Equipment Manager seasons before getting the Nebraska head job in December 1997. Every time the ...... Joe Tolbert(2nd season) Demons’ basketball team visits Fayetteville, Van Horn is in the stands...... South Alabama, 2014

Ole Miss baseball coach Mike Bianco: the former LSU catcher started his Football Administrative Assistant coaching career as assistant coach with the Demons in 1991-92 under Jim Wells. ...Elizabeth Holloway (21st season, 17th with football)

Game One • Northwestern State at Texas A&M • Thursday, August 30, 2018 • 7:30 p.m. Georgia assistant baseball coach, former Alabama head 2017 as DC and the uptick in defensive production was quickly coach Mitch Gaspard: the Port Arthur, Texas, native succeed- apparent, restoring the luster to the Purple Swarm brand. ed Bianco as Wells’ assistant for 1993-94, then turned down the NSU head job to follow Wells to Alabama. After a decade in Tus- Lucas has Purple Swarm pursuing the Turnover Trident caloosa, “Coach Gas” came back to NSU as head coach, succeeding It’s in vogue in college football to have a token to celebrate with Cohen in 2002 and going 210-138 (.603) with a 2005 NCAA at- after a defense comes up with a turnover. With a bow to the large regional appearance before going back to be Wells assistant Demons’ iconic flaming pitchfork in our official logo, the Purple for two years. He was Bama’s head coach from 2010-16, going Swarm has created the Turnover Trident as its prize. 234-193 and leading the Tide to four NCAA Regionals and a Su- per Regional in his seven seasons. After a fumble recovery or interception, the responsible Demon gets to celebrate on the sideline with the Turnover Trident. It’s a Retired Alabama baseball coach Jim Wells: baseball team plastic purple goulish pitchfork adorned with Mardi Gras beads. manager as a student at NSU (1978 graduate), Wells completely turned around the Demons’ baseball fortunes as head coach (1990 Class is in session for Demon defenders on the NSU sideline -94), winning three Southland titles and going 192-89 (.683) with You’ll see chairs set in rows on one edge of the NSU sideline, NSU’s first two NCAA Regional appearances. He is the win- facing a dry erase board. That classroom setting allows defensive ningest coach in Alabama history (522-246, .680) in 12 seasons, coordinator Mike Lucas to make immediate adjustments after his winning six SEC Tournament titles and making three CWS trips, troops leave the field. He started doing it in 1985 on a small staff reaching the championship game in1997. at Eastern New Mexico in his first year as a DC.

Demons’ Purple Swarm defense tradition Obi, Krolo lead the way up front for Purple Swarm Northwestern State’s defense has a long history of playing aggres- They’re not a pair of Star Wars characters, but seniors Obi (DE sively. For the fourth decade, the defense uses the nickname Obinna Iheoma) and Krolo (DT Zak Krolczyk) are quite a tandem “Purple Swarm” to describe its approach. up front for the Purple Swarm defense. Last year they combined for 20 tackles for loss (11 by Iheoma) and 13 sacks (8 by Iheoma). The nickname took root during the 1984 Gulf Star Conference Krolczyk was outside at DE in 2017 but has moved inside to open championship season, when the Demons led FCS in scoring de- the way for two younger, explosive pass rushers (Desmond fense by allowing only 9.0 points per game. John Thompson, just Prejean, Braylon Daigle) to man the DE spot opposite Iheoma. 28 years old, was the Demons’ DC. A photo taken during that team’s signature win, a 22-0 domination of bowl-bound Southern Iheoma and Krolczyk are getting looks from the next level. Mississippi at USM’s homecoming game, showed 11 defenders converging on a tackle. Thompson later became DC at Arkansas, Among Purple Swarm starters, a true freshman LSU, Ole Miss and South Carolina, along with interim HC at Ar- It’s been a long, long time since a true freshman opened the sea- kansas State and HC at East Carolina. Also on that defensive staff son as a starter in the NSU secondary, so far as we can tell, never was future SEC, Pac 12 and ACC coordinator Art Kaufman. since 1980 (a 1981 fire destroyed our files). Only an elite few Thompson’s last turn as Demons DC came in 1989. have started during their true freshman seasons: cornerback Ike Warren (now at Delta State) in 2015 (starting the final 6), future The Purple Swarm nickname gradually faded a bit until Bradley NFL veteran Jeremy Lane (Seattle) in 2008 (last 2 games), and Dale Peveto was brought in as DC in 1996 and his attacking de- future Pro Bowler Terrence McGee in 1999, when he started the fense menaced oponents for three seasons, keying two Southland last 9 games. championship teams and a pair of FCS playoff berths, including a 1998 semifinal berth. Playing the Star position in NSU’s defense, Shreveport-Woodlawn product Jacob Hester has earned a spot on the first team. He ar- Jack Curtis (now DC at Tulane) helped call NSU defenses for the rived in July and consistently impressed the coaching staff with his next 3 seasons, including a landmark win at TCU and a 2001 FCS intensity, leadership and in August, with his play in practice. playoff season to enhance the Purple Swarm brand. Demons’ offense aims to move quickly Demon QB legend Scott Stoker (later DC at Sam Houston State Offensive coordinator Brad Smiley wants to run as many plays as and UTEP, now LB coach at UL Monroe) took over as head coach possible, until it’s time to work the clock. The Demons will never at NSU in 2002 and his extremely aggressive Purple Swarm de- huddle, rarely if ever take a direct snap from center, and will use a fenses set some FCS and Southland Conference records, fueling lot of players. playoff teams in 2002 and 2004 (Southland champs). It starts at QB, but who starts at QB? Then Peveto returned to NSU, this time as HFC, in 2009, and the There’s been a great competition for the No. 1 QB role since the attacking schemes continued. Laird rejoined the Demon staff in start of spring practice, and entering game week, head coach Brad Game One • Northwestern State at Texas A&M • Thursday, August 30, 2018 • 7:30 p.m. Laird said both senior Clay Holgorsen and JC transfer Shelton for a redshirt season and able to play a full senior year in 2019, Eppler will play. He mentioned the likelihood of a three-series under new NCAA rules. rotation but said performance in practice will ultimately decide who goes first, and how often they rotate. He indicated he wants Offensive line still has experience at nearly every spot to avoid “somebody looking over their shoulder” after a mistake. Even with Chris Zirkle watching from the sideline, the offensive line has more experience than any other position group. The first Ultimately, Laird wants to name a starter and go with him, rather five has a combined 36 starts. LG Frank Boudreaux, a 3-year let- than using two each game. terman, has 19 starts. Senior RG Timmis Bonner has 7 (at center last year). LT Jonathan Hubbard, a junior, opened 6 games last Holgorsen started the final six games of 2017 after transferring season and RT Dustin Burns, a junior, started 4, a pair at center. from Northwest Mississippi CC. He broke NSU’s single-game pass yardage record with 381 at McNese in the penultimate game The starting center is redshirt freshman Kenny Sheldon, backed up of the season. He is the nephew of West Virginia head coach Dana by redshirt freshman Jake Gore. Obviously Bonner and Burns can Holgorsen. move over to snap if needed.

Eppler, who threw 150 career TD passes at Navosota HS, played Senior foursome handling game captain duties two seasons under Smiley at Trinity Valley CC. His older brother Four native Texans, seniors all, will serve as NSU’s game captains pitches for Triple-A Indianapolis in the Pittsburgh Pirates minor for the season opener: LG Frank Boudreaux, LG Timmis Bonner, league system, where he is 12-6 with a 3.70 ERA as of Saturday. DE Obi Iheoma, DT Zak Krolczyk. Head coach Brad Laird choos- es the weekly captains after consulting with his staff. True sophomore Kaleb Fletcher impressed Laird so much on the 2017 scout team that Laird persuaded then-head coach Jay Thom- Headed upstairs: six coaches in the press box as to use him in the final 7 games. Fletcher, an Academic All- Six NSU coaches, three on each side of the ball, will work in the Stater at Mequite-Poteet HS, has sparkled in preseason camp. press box during games.

Receivers bolstered by a pair of Power 5 transfers Offense: QB coach Anthony Scelfo, administrative graduate assis- NSU returned its top two receivers, 2018 seniors Jaylen Watson tants Dakota Gallant and Brian Williams. Scelfo was a two-sport (31-484, 4 TD, 15.6 ypc) and Marquisian “Red Dog” Chapman star (football QB, all-conference baseball IF/OF) at Tulane whose (31-314, 3 TDs) and has added to the corps with LSU transfer Jazz father Frank is the first year head coach at Southeastern Louisiana. Ferguson and Texas Tech transfer Quan Shorts. Gallant was an Academic All-American WR at Wingate. Williams was honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference at WR in 2017 at Ferguson played HS football with NSU safety Ryan Reed, who UL Monroe. was the QB at West Feliciana. Ferguson was a 5-star recruit who left LSU in mid-season 2016, transferred to NSU for the spring of Defense: Safeties coach Jake Olsen, administrative graduate assis- 2017 and spent the last year restoring his academic eligibility. He tants Chase Thompson and Jack Witte. Olsen was a team captain had two catches in nine games with the Tigers, including a 2016 as an OLB at Valley City (N.D.) State. Thompson was a student start. assistant for four seasons at Louisiana Tech. Witte was a four-year letterman at Millsaps. Shorts played youth baseball in his original hometown of New Orleans as a standout shortstop, and knew a few Demon baseball FBS vs. FCS: The differences players, notably NCAA Regional standout Lenny Kunert and FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A) programs Caleb Ricca. He also had a friendship with Demon TB Jared West, have more players, more coaches, more resources and typically who recommended NSU as a new home after Shorts departed the more fans than do their FCS (Football Championship Subdivision, Texas Tech program in June. With the Red Raiders, in two sea- formerly Division I-AA) counterparts. sons he had 10 catches for 233 yards and 3 TDs, and started 3 games. Texas A&M and Northwestern State operate NCAA Division I athletics programs. The subdivisions exist only in football. Zirkle’s loss creates challenge for Demons up front Major differences between FBS and FCS: FBS programs offer The Demons’ O-line lost its best returner for at least much of the more scholarships (85 to 63), have larger stadiums (minimum 2018 season when second-team All-Southland OG Chris Zirkle 31,000 seats), and larger coaching staffs. required offseason shoulder surgery. The two-time Academic All- District VI selection has 23 career starts heading into his senior Demons have pulled off 11 FBS wins season. He is targeted to be medically cleared sometime in Octo- NSU’s top wins over FBS foes have come over bowl-bound teams ber and may consider returning for four games, making his eligible from TCU (27-24 in OT, 2001), Louisiana Tech (30-27, 2014), Game One • Northwestern State at Texas A&M • Thursday, August 30, 2018 • 7:30 p.m. and Southern Mississippi (22-0, 1984) along with a 1996 victory the CFL with the Edmonton Eskimos. at Boise State (22-17). College Football Hall has Reasons, Delaney The 2014 victory over Louisiana Tech ended a skid of 17 consecu- The sparkling 3-year-old College Football Hall of Fame museum tive defeats in games vs. FBS opponents. Since that victory, the in Atlanta includes two Demon greats, linebacker Gary Reasons Demons have lost their last four FBS matchups by 38 points pg. (1980-83) and running back Joe Delaney (1977-80).

Coaching staff has plenty of Demon love Jackie Smith represents NSU in Canton Three coaches met their wives in previous stints at NSU. Kentwood native Jackie Smith came to NSU mostly to run track as a hurdler, but also played football as a tight end and punter. A10th HC Brad Laird and wife Renee were college sweethearts in the -round 1963 NFL Draft pick by St. Louis, Smith is a 1994 induc- mid-90s. OC Brad Smiley met his wife Janna, a Natchitoches Par- tee in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. ish native, when Smiley returned from undergraduate days at Bay- lor to attend grad school in 1996. DL coach Ledell Love and his ESPN ‘30 For 30’ short film on Joe Delaney wife Zanny met when both were student-athletes at NSU. Love The 20-minute film “Delaney” became available in August 2015 on was a football standout from 2007-10 and Zanny Castillo was a ESPN.com, in 20 minutes telling the remarkable story of the life volleyball competitor from 2008-10. of Demons’ legend Joe Delaney, who drowned in a 1983 attempt to save 3 kids, 1 who survived. NSU has made impact in the NFL Eight Northwestern State players have earned Pro Bowl honors: The short film for the ESPN “30 For 30” documentary series was WR Charlie Hennigan (5x, Oilers); TE Jackie Smith (5x, Cardi- produced and directed by Grant Curtis, whose other credits in- nals), WR Mark Duper (3x, Dolphins, FB Charlie Tolar (2x, Oil- clude producing the “Spider-Man” trilogy and “Oz the Great and ers), RB Joe Delaney (1981, Chiefs), RB John Stephens (1988, Powerful.” Other producers were Jeremy Wheeler, who also Patriots), QB Bobby Hebert (1993, Falcolns), KR Terrence works for NFL Films; Randy Brewer, an Abilene Christian alum- McGee (2004, Bills). nus who spent some of his youth in Shreveport and now has pro- duced music videos for artists including Justin Bieber, Taylor 34 Demons have gone in the NFL Draft, two this decade and sev- Swift, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood; and co-producer en this century. NSU has had one Round 1 pick (Stephens, Patri- Zach Prichard. ots, 1988) and six 2nd-rounders: RB Sidney Thornton, 1976, Steelers; OL Petey Perot, 1979, Eagles; Delaney, 1981, Chiefs; It is available through a Google search for Delaney 30 For 30. Duper, 1982, Dolphins; CB Adrian Hardy, 1993, 49ers; OT Mar- cus Spears, 1994, Bears). Natchitoches, Best Small Town in the South In May 2015, USA Today readers considered 20 great communi- A total of 80 Demons have played pro football. ties across the south and voted, over nearly a month, that Natchitoches is America’s “Best Small Town in the South.” The NFL Alumni chapter has 4 active members city celebrated its tri-centennial in 2014. The downtown historic There are 4 Northwestern State alumni, 2 players and 2 coaches, district and fabled Front Street are nationally acclaimed. The Loui- who are taking the field for NFL teams. siana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Muse- um is internationally recognized for its architecture, with the After being drafted in the 7th round in 2015, Deon Simon made building winning Azure Magazine’s “Best New Project for 2013” the New York Jets 53-man roster on the defensive front. He as the only structure in North America on the global top 10. Sec- spent part of last season on the practice squad and approaches his ond was an addition to the Louvre in Paris. third year in the NFL. Natchitoches may be best known for the 1989 movie “Steel Mag- Undrafted in 2015, OT Pace Murphy made the Los Angeles’ nolias” starring Julia Roberts, Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Darryl Rams’ 53-man roster as a rookie. He spent last season on the San Hannah, Olympia Dukakis and Shirley MacLaine, based on a 1987 Francisco 49ers practice squad and is bidding for a third season. play written by NSU grad Robert Harling about the death of his sister. It was the breakout role of Roberts’ career. Two NSU NFLers are coaches. Bill Johnson, a Demon center from 1975-78, is the defensive line coach for the Rams. He helped Two years later, “Man in the Moon” was released, filmed around the Saints win the 2009 Super Bowl. Barry Rubin, a Northwestern Natchitoches, as another Academy Award-winning actress, Reese tight end from 1978-1980, is the head strength coach with the Witherspoon made her film debut in a starring role. More Oscar Chiefs, moving over with Andy Reid from the Eagles in 2013. winners were integral parts of the 1959 movie “The Horse Sol- diers” filmed just north of Natchitoches: John Wayne, William Another former Demon, Bryant Mitchell, is a productive WR in Holden and director John Ford. Game One • Northwestern State at Texas A&M • Thursday, August 30, 2018 • 7:30 p.m. 2018 demon Roster ALPHBETICAL No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl.-Ex. Hometown/Previous School ______No. Name Pos. 1 Jazz Ferguson WR 6-5 220 Jr.-TR St. Francisville, La./West Feliciana HS (LSU) 4 Cedric Anderson S 1 Tobias Williams II CB 5-10 172 Fr.-HS Many, La./Many HS 13 Stadford Anderson RB 2 Kaleb Fletcher QB 5-11 187 So.-1L Mesquite, Texas/Poteet HS 5 Jalen Angelle LB 2 D'Ronne Littleton CB 6-0 167 Jr.-2L Carencro, La./Carencro HS 11 Tanner Ash WR 3 Shemar Bartholomew CB 6-0 185 Fr.-HS New Orleans, La./Cypress Ranch HS (Texas) 26 Connor Bailey WR 3 Marquisian Chapman WR 5-10 184 Sr.-1L Jackson, Miss./Murrah HS (Northwest Mississippi CC) 83 Christian Bailiff TE 4 Cedric Anderson S 6-3 183 Fr.-HS Clinton, La./East Feliciana HS 3 Shemar Bartholomew CB 4 Clay Holgorsen QB 6-0 191 Sr.-1L Katy, Texas/Katy HS (Memphis/NW Mississippi CC) 37 Cooper Bledsoe S 5 Jalen Angelle LB 6-1 230 Fr.-HS Lafayette, La./Carencro HS 42 Christian Bluiett NT 5 Shelton Eppler QB 6-1 205 Jr.-TR Navasota, Texas/Navasota HS (Trinity Valley CC) 57 Timmis Bonner III OL 6 Rashaun Croney CB 6-0 168 Sr.-1L Pahokee, Fla./Everglades Prep (Elswoth CC/Garden City CC) 53 Brice Borgeson LB 6 Quan Shorts WR 6-2 195 Jr.-TR Humble, Texas/Atascocita HS (Texas Tech) 61 Frank Boudreaux III OL 7 Aaron Howell QB 6-3 210 Fr.-HS Natchitoches, La./St. Mary's HS 68 Demetrius Boulieu OL 7 Kevin Ratliff S 6-0 200 Jr.-RS Canton, Miss./Canton HS (Hinds CC) 25 Hayden Bourgeois S 8 Ryan Reed S 6-0 193 Jr.-2L St. Francisville, La./West Feliciana HS 14 Bryson Bourque WR 8 Jaylen Watson WR 6-0 191 Sr.-1L Los Angeles, Calif./St. Anthony's HS (Long Beach City Coll.) 30 Bishop Breaux LB 9 Kenny Sears QB 6-2 224 So.-1L Covington, La./St. Paul's HS 75 Dustin Burns OL 10 Jordan Hester S 6-0 173 Fr.-HS Shreveport, La./Woodlawn HS 3 Marquisian Chapman WR 10 Myles Ward WR 5-10 178 Fr.-RS Harvey, La./De La Salle 50 Ricky Chatman LB 11 Tanner Ash WR 6-2 206 Fr.-RS Benton, La./Evangel Christian Academy 72 Khalil Corbett-Canada OL 11 Obinna Iheoma BUCK 6-2 224 Sr.-1L Grand Prairie, Texas/South Grand Prairie HS (Tyler JC) 93 Tyree Cormier DE 13 Stadford Anderson RB 6-1 210 So.-1L Baton Rouge, La./Glen Oaks HS 6 Rashaun Croney CB 14 Bryson Bourque WR 5-11 187 Sr.-3L New Iberia, La./New Iberia Senior HS 17 Braylon Daigle DE 14 Jomard Valsin Jr. DE 6-1 230 Fr.-HS Port Arthur, Texas/Port Arthur Memorial HS 30 Brandon Eberts LS 15 William Hooper CB 5-11 170 Fr.-HS Montgomery, Ala./Shoemaker HS 24 Ian Edwards S 15 Jalen Willis WR 6-3 185 Fr.-HS Mandeville, La./Lakeshore HS 79 Christopher Elam OL 16 Fredrick Lee Jr. CB 6-2 186 Fr.-HS Rayville, La./Rayville HS 5 Shelton Eppler QB 16 Coby McGee WR 5-11 184 Fr.-HS Bossier City, La./Airline HS 40 Tekeren Evans S 17 Braylon Daigle DE 6-5 244 So.-1L Breaux Bridge, La./Cecilia HS 48 Austyn Fendrick PK/P 17 Carl Randall QB 5-10 192 Fr.-RS Carencro, La./Carencro HS 1 Jazz Ferguson WR 18 Ronald Malbrough S 6-1 208 Jr.-1L Cecilia, La./Cecilia HS 21 Deshon Ficklin S 18 Kendrick Price Jr. WR 6-2 200 So.-1L Lindale, Texas/Lindale HS 77 Parker Fink OL 19 Tevyn Johnson S 5-10 202 So.-SQ Gray, La./H.L. Bourgeois 2 Kaleb Fletcher QB 19 Curtis Williams Jr. WR 5-5 166 Fr.-HS Mesquite, Texas/West Mesquite HS 23 Nicholas Forde S 20 Trevor Morgan RB 5-8 194 Fr.-RS New Orleans, La./Edna Karr Secondary HS 27 Trent Franklin S 20 Malik Sonnier CB 6-0 185 So.-1L Friendswood, Texas/Clearbrook HS 59 Hunter Fredieu LB 21 Deshon Ficklin S 6-2 221 Jr.-2L Natchitoches, La./Natchitoches Central HS 31 Jalen Garrison CB 21 Jared West RB 5-10 187 Jr.-2L New Orleans, La./Brother Martin HS 55 Evan Gibson LS 22 Dazarie Hall CB 5-11 185 So.-SQ Leesville, La./Leesville HS 98 Savon Gipson NT 22 Da'Von Smith RB 5-9 183 So.-SQ League City, Texas/Clear Creek HS 62 Jake Gore OL 23 Nicholas Forde S 5-11 201 Jr.-2L Desoto, Texas/Life School Red Oak HS 45 Dez Gray LB 24 Ian Edwards S 6-1 184 Jr.-2L Denton, Texas/Denton Guyer HS 95 Jordan Greenlee DE 25 Hayden Bourgeois S 5-11 184 So.-1L Crowley, La./Notre Dame HS 54 Brody Griffin OL 25 JaQuan Jackson RB 5-11 183 Fr.-HS De Kalb, Texas/DeKalb HS 82 Levar Gumms WR 26 Connor Bailey WR 6-0 175 Fr.-HS Longview, Texas/Hallsville, HS 22 Dazarie Hall CB 26 Keldrick Ward Jr. CB 5-11 186 Fr.-RS Monroe, La./Wossman HS 59 Jalen Haydel OL 27 Trent Franklin S 6-2 188 Fr.-RS Haynesville, La./Haynesville HS 10 Jordan Hester S 28 Dylan Wilson CB 6-3 193 Sr.-1L Gretna, La./West Jefferson HS (Arkansas Baptist) 4 Clay Holgorsen QB 29 Trey Williams CB 5-11 190 Fr.-RS Plaquemine, La./Plaquemine HS 15 William Hooper CB 30 Bishop Breaux LB 6-1 202 Fr.-HS Lafayette, La./Acadiana HS 7 Aaron Howell QB 30 Brandon Eberts LS 5-10 205 So.-1L Mandeville, La3/St. Paul's HS 70 Jonathan Hubbard OL 31 Jalen Garrison CB 5-9 160 Fr.-HS Ruston, La./Ruston HS 11 Obinna Iheoma DE 31 Charles Vaughn III TE 5-11 266 Sr.-3L Baton Rouge, La./McKinley HS 25 JaQuan Jackson RB 32 Darian Raymond CB 5-10 166 Jr.-2L Natchitoches, La./Natchitoches Central HS 36 Corban James LB 33 Isaiah Longino LB 6-1 226 So.-1L Humble, Texas/Humble HS 19 Tevyn Johnson S 35 Landon King DE 6-1 228 Fr.-RS Pineville, La./Pineville HS 89 McKane Kinchen WR/LS 35 Parker Pastorello P 5-11 183 Jr.-2L Mandeville, La./Mandeville HS 35 Landon King DE 36 Corban James LB 6-0 237 So.-1L Arlington, Texas/Arlington Heights HS 94 Zak Krolczyk DE/DT 37 Cooper Bledsoe S 6-0 175 Fr.-HS Van, Texas/Van HS 84 Gavin Landry WR 38 Quindarrius Whitley LB 6-2 211 Jr.-TR Inverness, Miss./Gentry HS (Holmes CC) 49 Keenan Leachman S 39 Kyle Moore LB 6-1 194 So.-TR Magnolia, Texas/Magnolia West HS (Navarro College) 16 Fredrick Lee Jr. CB 40 Tekiren Evans S 5-10 190 Fr.-HS Ruston, La./Ruston HS 40 Shermaria Lewis WR 40 Shermaria Lewis WR 5-7 176 So.-SQ Shreveport, La./Captian Shreve HS 2 D'Ronne Littleton CB 42 Christian Bluiett NT 5-11 277 Jr.-2L Beaumont, Texas/West Brook HS 33 Isaiah Longino LB 42 Matthew Nelson RB 5-8 185 Fr.-HS Natchitoches, La./St. Mary’s HS 18 Ronald Malbrough S 43 Blake Stephenson LB 6-1 212 Jr.-TR Deer Park, Texas/Deer Park HS (Trinity Valley CC) 92 J.D. May DE/DT 45 Dez Gray LB 6-0 219 Jr.-1L Lafayette, La./Acadiana HS 16 Coby McGee WR 46 Darion Miller LB 6-2 189 Fr.-RS Many, La./Many HS 78 Joey McNeely NT 47 Rashuad Powell DE 6-3 235 Fr.-RS Houston, Texas/George Bush HS 81 Kalen Meggs TE 48 Austyn Fendrick PK/P 6-1 234 So.-1L Tyler, Texas/Chapel Hill HS 46 Darion Miller LB 49 Keenan Leachman S 5-11 222 Fr.-HS Baton Rouge, La./Central HS 58 Myles Mitchell DT 50 Ricky Chatman LB 5-11 237 So.-SQ Baton Rouge, La./West Feliciana HS 39 Kyle Moore LB Game One • Northwestern State at Texas A&M • Thursday, August 30, 2018 • 7:30 p.m. 2018 demon Roster ALPHBETICAL No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl.-Ex. Hometown/Previous School ______No. Name Pos. 50 Korbin Schmidt PK/P 5-11 155 Fr.-HS Haughton, La./Haughton HS 20 Trevor Morgan RB 51 Nathalohn Nanai NT 6-2 290 Fr.-HS Killeen, Texas/Shoemaker HS 51 Nathalohn Nanai NT 52 Desmond Prejean DE 6-3 239 Jr.-2L Scott, La./Lafayette Christian Academy 42 Matthew Nelson RB 53 Brice Borgeson LB 6-2 227 Jr.-2L Brownsboro, Texas/Van HS 55 O’Shea Jackson DT 54 Brody Griffin OL 6-5 272 Jr.-TR Jeanerette, La./Highland Baptist (NMMI) 88 Tyler O'Donoghue TE 55 Evan Gibson LS 5-11 230 Fr.-HS Shreveport, La./Calvary Baptist Academy 35 Parker Pastorello P 55 O’Shea Jackson DT 6-3 265 Jr.-TR Arlington, Texas/Arlington-Martin HS (Trinity Valley CC) 97 John-Alex Perkins DE 56 Kenneth Sheldon OL 6-2 281 Fr.-RS Houston, Texas/Lanhgam Creek HS 73 Zachary Perry OL 57 Timmis Bonner III OL 6-3 291 Sr.-3L Cedar Hill, Texas/Cedar Hill HS 47 Rashuad Powell DE 58 Myles Mitchell DT 6-1 278 Fr.-RS Shreveport, La./Loyola College Prep 52 Desmond Prejean DE 59 Hunter Fredieu LB 5-11 230 Fr.-HS Many, La./Many HS 18 Kendrick Price Jr. WR 59 Jalen Haydel OL 6-2 270 So.-SQ LaPlace, La./De La Salle HS 17 Carl Randall QB 60 Tyler Rapp OL 6-1 282 Jr.-1L The Woodlands, Texas _ The Woodlands HS (USAF Academy) 60 Tyler Rapp OL 61 Frank Boudreaux III OL 6-4 294 Sr.-3L Murphy, Texas/Plano East HS 7 Kevin Ratliff S 62 Jake Gore OL 6-2 272 Fr.-RS Sugar Land, Texas/George Ranch HS 32 Darian Raymond CB 63 Alycha Ulufale-Hentz OL 6-6 310 Fr.-HS Killeen, Texas/Killeen HS 8 Ryan Reed S 64 Reggie Young OL 6-4 288 Fr.-HS New Orleans, La./Edna Karr HS 90 Jalon Sangster NT 66 Kyrin Tucker OL 6-8 375 Sr.-HS Normal, Ill./Normal West Community HS (Coffeyville CC) 50 Korbin Schmidt PK/P 68 Demetrius Boulieu OL 6-1 282 So.-SQ Violet, La./Warren Easton Charter HS 9 Kenny Sears QB 70 Jonathan Hubbard OL 6-4 292 Jr.-2L Kilgore, Texas/Kilgore HS 56 Kenneth Sheldon OL 70 Khalil Sumlin NT 5-10 285 So.-SQ Shreveport, La./Loyola College Prep HS 6 Quan Shorts WR 72 Khalil Corbett-Canada OL 6-5 285 So.-TR Harker Heights, Texas/Harker Heights HS (Trinity Valley CC) 22 Da'Von Smith RB 73 Zachary Perry OL 6-3 253 So.-SQ Arlington, Texas/Arlington Heights HS 20 Malik Sonnier CB 74 Chris Zirkle OL 6-2 287 Sr.-3L League City, Texas/Clear Springs HS 43 Blake Stephenson LB 75 Dustin Burns OL 6-4 301 Jr.-2L Beaumont, Texas/West Brook HS 70 Khalil Sumlin NT 77 Parker Fink OL 6-3 253 Fr.-RS Jena, La./Jena HS 99 Damian Thompson NT 78 Joey McNeely NT 6-2 291 Fr.-HS Kinder, La./Kinder HS 66 Kyrin Tucker OL 79 Christopher Elam OL 6-5 320 Fr.-HS Humble, Texas/Kingwood HS 85 Floyd Turner WR 81 Kalen Meggs TE 6-1 243 Sr.-1L Richton, Miss./Richton HS (East Central CC) 63 Alycha Ulufale-Hentz OL 82 Levar Gumms WR 6-1 180 Fr.-HS Houston, Texas/Andy Dekaney HS 14 Jomard Valsin Jr. DE 83 Christian Bailiff TE 6-3 226 Fr.-HS Stonewall, La./Evangel Christian Academy 31 Charles Vaughn III TE 84 Gavin Landry WR 5-6 177 So.-1L White Castle, La./St. John's HS 91 Jarviar Wade DE 85 Floyd Turner WR 5-11 186 So.-SQ Katy, Texas/Seven Lakes HS 26 Keldrick Ward Jr. CB 87 Reggie Williford WR 5-8 165 Fr.-HS Ruston, La./Ruston HS 10 Myles Ward WR 88 Tyler O'Donoghue TE 6-4 249 Jr.-2L Denham Springs, La./Denham Springs HS 8 Jaylen Watson WR 89 McKane Kinchen WR/LS 6-2 187 Fr.-RS Baton Rouge, La./Parkview Baptist 21 Jared West RB 90 Jalon Sangster NT 6-0 265 Sr.-1L Louisville, Miss./Louisville HS (East Central CC) 38 Quindarrius Whitley LB 91 Jarviar Wade DE 6-2 241 Fr.-HS Monroe, La./Richwood HS 19 Curtis Williams Jr. WR 92 J.D. May DE/DT 5-11 266 Fr.-HS Shreveport, La./Calvary Baptist Academy 1 Tobias Williams II CB 93 Tyree Cormier DE 6-1 238 Fr.-HS Beaumont, Texas/West Brook Senior HS 29 Trey Williams CB 94 Zak Krolczyk DE/DT 6-4 260 Sr.-2L Conroe, Texas/The Woodlands HS (Blinn JC) 87 Reggie Williford WR 95 Jordan Greenlee DE 6-4 245 Jr.-TR Napa, Calif./Vintage HS (Santa Rose JC) 15 Jalen Willis WR 97 John-Alex Perkins DE 6-1 216 Fr.-RS Shreveport, La./Captain Shreve HS 28 Dylan Wilson CB 98 Savon Gipson NT 5-11 284 Fr.-RS Shreveport, La./Loyola College Prep 64 Reggie Young OL 99 Damian Thompson NT 6-2 311 So.-1L Gadsden, Ala./Gadsden City HS 74 Chris Zirkle OL

Demon Pronunciations Players Places/Schools Jalen ANGELLE ...... ON-jzhell SHEMARIA Lewis ...... SHUH-mar-ee-a BOSSIER City = BOSE-sure SHAMAR Bartholomew ...... SHUH-mar D’RONNE Littleton ...... DUH-ron CARENCRO = CARE-in-cro Brice BORGESON ...... BOR-guh-son Isaiah LONGINO ...... Lawn-GEE-no JEANERETTE = GEN-er-ett Frank BOUDREAUX ...... BOO-droh NATHALOHN NANAI ...... JENA = GEE-nuh Demetrius BOULIEU ...... BOOL-yay ...... NATH-al-un nuh-NYE LAFAYETTE = LAFF-a-yet Hayden BOURGEOIS ...... BOO-jwah Ronald MALBROUGH ...... MAL-brow LAPLACE = Luh-PLAWS Bishop BREAUX ...... BRO Parker PASTORELLO .... PAST-er-ELLO NATCHITOCHES = NACK-uh-dish MARQUISIAN Chapman ... MAR-key-zhun RASHUAD Powell ...... Rah-SHAD PAHOKEE = Puh-HOKE-ee Braylon DAIGLE ...... DAY-gull Desmond PREJEAN ...... PRAY-jawn Brandon EBERTS ...... EBB-erts DA’VON Smith ...... DAY-vahn Coaches/Staff Nicholas FORDE ...... ford Malik SONNIER ..... MAH-leek SAHN-yay DE’VONN Lockett ...... Duh-VONN SAVON Gipson ...... SAY-von ALYZCHA ULULFALE-HENTZ ...... LEDELL Love ...... LEE-dell DAZARIE Hall ...... DA-zuh-ree ...... EE-lye-ja OO-la-fal-a Dr. Chris MAGGIO ...... MAJ-ee-oh Jaylen HAYDEL ...... HAY-dell JOMARD VALSIN Jr...... Anthony SCELFO ...... SELF-oh OBI IHEOMA ...... O-bee EE-home-ah ...... JUH-mard VAL-sin Zak KROLCYZK ...... CROL-check JARVIAR Wade ...... HAV-ee-ar Game One • Northwestern State at Texas A&M • Thursday, August 30, 2018 • 7:30 p.m. Demon Depth Chart OFFENSE (Multiple) DEFENSE (Multiple, 4-2-5 base)

WR-X 1 Jazz Ferguson (6-5, 220, Jr.-RS) DE 52 Desmond Prejean (6-3, 239, Jr.-2L) 18 Kendrick Price (6-2, 200, So.-1L) 17 Braylon Daigle (6-5, 244, So-1L)

WR-H 14 Bryson Bourque (5-11, 187, Sr.-3L) NT 90 Jalon Sangster (6-0, 265, Sr.-1L) 84 Gavin Landry (5-6, 177, So-1L) 99 Damien Thompson (6-2, 311, So.-1L)

WR-Y 6 Quan Shorts (6-2, 195, Jr.-TR) or DT 94 Zak Krolczyk (6-4, 260, Sr.-2L) 3 Marquisian Chapman (5-10, 184, Sr.-1L) 58 Myles Mitchell (6-1, 278, Fr.-RS)

DE-Buck 11 Obinna Iheoma (6-2, 224, Sr.-1L) WR-Z 8 Jaylen Watson (6-0, 191, Sr.-1L) 35 Landon King (6-1, 228, Fr.-RS) 89 McKane Kinchen (6-2, 187, Fr.-RS)

MLB-Mike 43 Blake Stephenson (6-1, 212, Jr.-TR) TE 81 Kalen Meggs (6-1, 243, Sr.-1L) 53 Brice Borgeson (6-2, 227, Jr.-2L) 31 Charles Vaughn (5-11, 266, Sr.-3L)

WLB-Will 38 Quindarrius Whitley (6-2, 211, Jr.-TR) LT 70 Jonathan Hubbard (6-1, 292, Jr.-2L) 33 Isaiah Longino (6-1, 226, So.-1L) 73 Zachary Perry (6-3, 253, So.-SQ)

Star 10 Jordan Hester (6-0, 173, Fr.-HS) LG 61 Frank Boudreaux (6-4, 294, Sr.-3L) 18 Ronald Malbrough (6-1, 208, Jr.-1L) 60 Tyler Rapp (6-1, 282, Jr.-1L)

FS 23 Nic Forde (5-11, 201, Jr.-2L) C 56 Kenny Sheldon (6-2, 281, Fr.-RS) 25 Hayden Bourgeois (5-11, 184, So.-1L) 62 Jake Gore ( 6-2, 272, Fr.-RS)

Rover RG 57 Timmis Bonner (6-3, 291, Sr.-3L) 7 Kevin Ratliff (6-0, 200, Jr.-RS) 68 Demetrius Boulieu (6-1, 282, So.-SQ) 8 Ryan Reed (6-0, 193, Jr.-2L)

RT 75 Dustin Burns ( 6-4, 301, Jr.-2L) CB 28 Dylan Wilson (6-3, 193, Sr.-1L) 77 Parker Fink (6-3, 253, Fr.-RS) 6 Rashaun Croney (6-0, 168, Sr.-1L)

QB 5 Shelton Eppler (6-1, 205, Jr.-TR) or CB 20 Malik Sonnier (6-0, 185, So.-1L) 4 Clay Holgorsen (6-0, 191, Sr.-1L) 2 D’Ronne Littleton (6-0, 167, Jr.-2L) 2 Kaleb Fletcher (5-11, 187, So.-1L)

RB-A 21 Jared West (5-10, 187, Jr.-2L) 22 Da’Von Smith (5-9, 185, Fr.-RS)

RB-B 13 Stadford Anderson (6-1, 210, So.-1L) 25 JaQuan Jackson (5-11, 183, Fr.-HS)

SPECIALISTS K 48 Austyn Fendrick (6-1, 234, So.-1L) H 35 Parker Pastorello (5-11, 183, Jr.-2L)

P 35 Parker Pastorello (5-11, 183, Jr.-2L) PR 8 Jaylen Watson (6-0, 191, Sr.-1L) 48 Austyn Fendrick (6-1, 234, So.-1L) 25 Hayden Bourgeois (5-11, 184, So.-1L)

DS 30 Brandon Eberts (5-10, 205, So.-1L) KOR 10 Myles Ward (5-10, 178, Fr.-RS) 89 McKane Kinchen (6-2, 187, Fr.-RS) 8 Ryan Reed (6-0, 193, Jr.-2L)

SS 75 Dustin Burns (6-4, 301, Jr.-2L) 89 McKane Kinchen (6-2, 187, Fr.-RS)

Game One • Northwestern State at Texas A&M • Thursday, August 30, 2018 • 7:30 p.m. Demons Nicknames BY NAME BY NICKNAME No. Name Pos. Nickname(s) ______Nickname No. Name Pos.______13 Stadford Anderson RB Show ______21 Savage 21 Jared West RB ______5 Jalen Angelle LB Jay ______Bam Bam 21 Jared West RB ______11 Tanner Ash WR Tweezy ______BB 30 Bishop Breaux LB ______3 Shemar Bartholomew CB Mar mar ______Beef 74 Chris Zirkle OL ______42 Christian Bluiett NT T-Blu ______Big Hummus 78 Joey McNeely DT ______57 Timmis Bonner III OL T-Bonn ______Big-E 24 Ian Edwards S ______30 Bishop Breaux LB BB ______Brody 71 Brody Griffin OL ______Captain Ken 56 Kenny Sheldon OL ______75 Dustin Burns OL D-Burns ______Chuck 31 Charles Vaughn III TE ______3 Marquisian Chapman WR Reddog ______CJ 19 Curtis Williams Jr. RB/WR ____ 93 Tyree Cormier DE Ty, Tsupreme, Flea ______D. Will 28 Dylan Wilson CB ______6 Rashaun Croney CB Gametime ______Daigle 17 Braylon Daigle DE ______17 Braylon Daigle DE Daigle ______Daz 22 Dazarie Hall CB ______24 Ian Edwards S Big-E ______D-Burns 75 Dustin Burns OL ______1 Jazz Ferguson WR Jazz ______Dee 46 Darion Miller LB ______21 Deshon Ficklin CB Fick ______Dez 45 Dez Gray LB ______77 Parker Fink OL Fink ______Dez 52 Desmond Prejean DE ______23 Nicholas Forde S Nick ______Drago 55 Evan Gibson LS ______55 Evan Gibson LS Drago, Mufasa ______D-Ron 2 D'Ronne Littleton CB ______45 Dez Gray LB Dez ______DT 99 Damian Thompson NT ______54 Brody Griffin OL Brody ______Fick 21 Deshon Ficklin CB ______22 Dazarie Hall CB Daz ______Fink 77 Parker Fink OL ______59 Jalen Haydel OL Swiggle ______Flea 93 Tyree Cormier DE ______15 William Hooper CB Hoop ______Fred 16 Fred Lee Jr. CB ______70 Jonathan Hubbard OL Hubb ______Gametime 6 Rashaun Croney CB ______Gee 84 Gavin Landry WR ______11 Obinna Iheoma BUCK Obi ______Gino 33 Isaiah Longino LB ______25 JaQuan Jackson RB Quan______Hentz 63 Alycha Ulufale-Hentz OL ______19 Tevyn Johnson S TJ ______Hoop 15 William Hooper CB ______89 McKane Kinchen WR Lucky ______Hubb 70 Jonathan Hubbard OL ______35 Landon King BUCK Lando ______Jay 5 Jalen Angelle LB ______94 Zak Krolczyk DE/DT Krolo ______Jazz 1 Jazz Ferguson WR ______84 Gavin Landry WR Gee ______JD 92 J.D. May DE/DT ____ 49 Keenan Leachman S Leach ______Juice 16 Coby McGee WR ______16 Fred Lee Jr. CB Fred ______Jwatt 8 Jaylen Watson WR ______2 D'Ronne Littleton CB D-Ron ______J-West 21 Jared West RB ______33 Isaiah Longino LB Gino ______Jwill 15 Jalen Willis WR ______92 J.D. May DE/DT JD______Kel 26 Keldrick Ward Jr. CB ______16 Coby McGee WR Juice ______Kidd 32 Darian Raymond CB ______78 Joey McNeely DT Big Hummus ______KP, Tank 18 Kendrick Price JR. WR ______81 Kalen Meggs TE Meggzy, Meggs ______Krolo 94 Zak Krolczyk DE/DT ____ 46 Darion Miller LB Dee ______Lando 35 Landon King BUCK _____ 20 Trevor Morgan RB Trev ______Leach 49 Keenan Leachman S ______Lucky 89 McKane Kinchen WR ______51 Nathalohn Nanai DT Nate ______Mar mar 3 Shemar Bartholomew CB ______88 Tyler O'Donoghue TE OD ______Meggzy, Meggs 81 Kalen Meggs TE ______73 Zachary Perry OL Zach ______Mufasa 55 Evan Gibson LS ______47 Rashuad Powell BUCK Shuad ______Mute 8 Jaylen Watson WR ______52 Desmond Prejean DE Dez ______Nate 51 Nathalohn Nanai DT ______18 Kendrick Price JR. WR KP, Tank ______Nick 23 Nicholas Forde S ______15 Carl Randall QB Snook ______Obi 11 Obinna Iheoma BUCK _____ 60 Tyler Rapp OL Trapp ______OD 88 Tyler O'Donoghue TE ______7 Kevin Ratliff S Tutu ______Q 38 Quindarrius Whitley LB ______32 Darian Raymond CB Kidd ______Quan 25 JaQuan Jackson RB ______90 Jalon Sangster DT Sangster______Reddog 3 Marquisian Chapman WR ______56 Kenny Sheldon OL Captain Ken ______Reggie, Reg 64 Reggie Young OL ______22 Da'Von Smith RB Scrap ______Sangster 90 Jalon Sangster DT ______99 Damian Thompson NT DT ______Scrap 22 Da'Von Smith RB ______63 Alycha Ulufale-Hentz OL Hentz ______Show 13 Stadford Anderson RB ______14 Jomard Valsin Jr. BUCK Smooth ______Shuad 47 Rashuad Powell BUCK _____ 31 Charles Vaughn III TE Chuck ______Smiley 8 Jaylen Watson WR ______Smooth 14 Jomard Valsin Jr. BUCK _____ 91 Jarviar Wade DE Wade ______Snook 15 Carl Randall QB ______26 Keldrick Ward Jr. CB Kel ______Swiggle 59 Jalen Haydel OL ______8 Jaylen Watson WR Jwatt, Mute, Smiley ______T-Blu 42 Christian Bluiett NT ______21 Jared West RB J.West, 21 Savage, Bam Bam _____ T-Bonn 57 Timmis Bonner III OL ______38 Quindarrius Whitley LB Q ______TJ 19 Tevyn Johnson S ______19 Curtis Williams Jr. RB/WR CJ ______Trapp 60 Tyler Rapp OL ______29 Trey Williams CB Twill ______Trev 20 Trevor Morgan RB ______15 Jalen Willis WR Jwill ______Tsupreme 93 Tyree Cormier DE ______28 Dylan Wilson CB D. Will ______Tutu 7 Kevin Ratliff S ______64 Reggie Young OL Reggie, Reg ______Tweezy 11 Tanner Ash WR ______74 Chris Zirkle OL Beef ______Twill 29 Trey Williams CB ______Ty 93 Tyree Cormier DE ______Wade 91 Jarviar Wade DE ______Zach 73 Zachary Perry OL ______Game One • Northwestern State at Texas A&M • Thursday, August 30, 2018 • 7:30 p.m. Northwestern State . . . At a Glance

OFFENSIVE PLAYERS WITH STARTING EXPERIENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYERS WITH STARTING EXPERIENCE

Name ...... Pos...... Career ...... 2017 Name ...... Pos...... Career ...... 2017 Chris Zirkle ...... OL ...... 21 ...... 11 Nicholas Forde ...... S ...... 17 ...... 10 Frank Boudreaux ...... OL ...... 19 ...... 11 Zak Krolczyk ...... DE ...... 13 ...... 11 Marquisian Chapman ... WR ...... 10 ...... 10 Obinna Iheoma ...... DT ...... 11 ...... 11 Timmis Bonner ...... C ...... 6 ...... 6 Ryan Reed ...... S ...... 11 ...... 10 Clay Holgorsen ...... QB ...... 6 ...... 6 Christian Bluiett...... NT ...... 10 ...... 8 Jonathan Hubbard ...... OL ...... 6 ...... 6 Rashaun Croney ...... CB ...... 7 ...... 7 Dustin Burns ...... OL ...... 6 ...... 5 Ian Edwards ...... CB ...... 6 ...... 1 Charles Vaughn ...... TE ...... 4 ...... 1 Darian Raymond ...... S ...... 5 ...... 0 Tyler Rapp ...... C ...... 2 ...... 2 D’Ronne Littleton ...... CB ...... 3 ...... 3 Jaylen Watson ...... WR ...... 2 ...... 2 Dylan Wilson ...... CB ...... 3 ...... 3 Jalon Sangster ...... NT ...... 2 ...... 2

DEMONS BY CLASS SENIORS (15) REDSHIRT FRESHMEN (16) Timmis Bonner, Frank Boudreaux, Bryson Bourque, Marquisian Tanner Ash, Parker Fink, Trent Franklin, Savon Gipson, Jake Chapman, Rashaun Croney, Clay Holgorsen, Obinna Iheoma, Zak Gore, McKane Kinchen, Landon King, Myles Mitchell, Trevor Krolczyk, Kalen Meggs, Jalon Sangster, Kyrin Tucker, Charles Morgan, John-Alex Perkins, Rashuad Powell, Carl Randall, Vaughn, Jaylen Watson, Dylan Wilson, Chris Zirkle Kenny Sheldon, Keldrick Ward Jr., Myles Ward, Trey Williams

JUNIORS (26) TRUE FRESHMEN (34) Christian Bluiett, Brice Borgeson, Dustin Burns, Ian Edwards, Cedric Anderson, Jalen Angelle, Connor Bailey, Christian Bailiff, Shelton Eppler, Jazz Ferguson, Deshon Ficklin, Nicholas Forde, Shemar Bartholomew, Cooper Bledsoe, Bishop Breaux, Tyree Dez Gray, Jordan Greenlee, Brody Griffin, O’Shea Jackson, Cormier, Chris Elam, Tekiren Evans, Hunter Fredieu, Jalen D’Ronne Littleton, Ronald Malbrough, Tyler O’Donoghue, Garrison, Evan Gibson, Levar Gumms, Jordan Hester, William Parker Pastorello, Desmond Prejean, Tyler Rapp, Kevin Ratliff, Hooper, Aaron Howell, JaQuan Jackson, Keenan Leachman, Darian Raymond, Ryan Reed, Quan Shorts, Blake Stephenson, Fredrick Lee Jr., J.D. May, Coby McGee, Joey McNeely, Jared West, Quindarrius Whitley Nathalohn Nanai, Matthew Nelson, Korbin Schmidt, Alycha Ulufale-Hentz, Jomard Valsin Jr., Jarviar Wade, Curtis Williams SOPHOMORES (26) Jr., Tobias Williams II, Reggie Williford, Jalen Willis, Reggie Stadford Anderson, Demetrius Boulieu, Hayden Bourgeois, Ricky Young Chatman, Khalil Corbett-Canada, Braylon Daigle, Brandon Eberts, Austyn Fendrick, Kaleb Fletcher, Dazarie Hall, Jalen Haydel, Corban James, Tevyn Johnson, Gavin Landry, Shemaria Lewis, Isaiah Longino, Darion Miller, Kyle Moore, Zachary Perry, Kendrick Price Jr., Kenny Sears, Da’Von Smith, Malik Sonnier, Khalil Sumlin, Damian Thompson, Floyd Turner Game One • Northwestern State at Texas A&M • Thursday, August 30, 2018 • 7:30 p.m. Last Time it Happened Punt Return for a Touchdown: 400-Yard Passing Game: NSU: Ed Eagan, 80 yds., at Stephen F. Austin, 11/22/2014 NSU: None Opponent: Teddy Veal, La Tech, 66 yards, 9/2/2017 Opponent: 509, (33-57-4) Jeremiah Briscoe, Sam Houston St., 10/14/2017

Kickoff Return for a Touchdown: 100-Yard Receiving Game: NSU: Ed Eagan, 97 yds., at. McNeese State, 10/24/2015 NSU: 107, Bobby Chan-Chan at McNeese, 11/11/2017 Opponent: Xavier Roberson, Southeastern La., 92 yds, 10/19/2013 Opponent: 114, Trae Hart, Stephen F. Austin, 11/18/2017

Interception Return for a Touchdown: 200-Yard Receiving Game: NSU: Leroy Armstrong, 18 yds., Stephen F. Austin, 11/21/2015 NSU: 212 (13 rec.), Ed Eagan vs. Abilene Christian 11/7/2015 Opponent: Jermaine Antione, 70 yds., McNeese, 10/22/2016 Opponent: 247 (8 rec.), Nathan Stewart, Sam Houston State, 10/14/17

Blocked Punt Return for a Touchdown: 60+ Yard Punt: NSU: Kedon Franklin, 0 yds., at Texas State, 10/23/2010 NSU: 71 by Parker Pastorello at Nicholls, 10/1/17 Opponent: Joe Pack, Southeastern Louisiana, 0 yds., 9/30/2017 Opponent: 78 by Patrick Ponder, Central Arkansas, 10/21/2017

Fumble Recovery for a Touchdown: 3+ TD’s Scored in a Game (Rush, Pass, Receiving): NSU: Lyn Clark vs. UIW 10/11/2014 NSU: 3, Clay Holgorsen (3 pass), vs. Stephen F. Austin, 11/18/2017 Opponent: Trent Jackson, McNeese, 11/11/2017 Opponent: 3, James Tabary (3 pass), McNeese, 11/11/2017

Fumble Return for a Touchdown: 4+ TD’s Scored in a Game (Rush, Pass, Receiving): NSU: Adam Jones, 95 yards vs. Lamar, 10/17/2015 NSU: 4, De’Mard Llorens (4 rush) vs. Nicholls, 10/31/2015 Opponent: James Barnes (Missouri St.) 12 yds., 8/28/2014 Opponent: 4, Jeremiah Briscoe (4 pass) Sam Houston State, 10/14/2017 4, Davion Davis (4 rec) Sam Houston State, 10/14/2017

Safety Recorded: Shutout at Turpin Stadium: NSU: Team vs. Incarnate Word, 9/8/2016 NSU: vs. Langston, 37-0, 9/28/2013 Opponent: Kevin Harmon, Southeastern La., 10/19/2013 Opponent: by SFA, 33-0, 11/19/2011

Blocked a Kick: Shutout on the Road: NSU: Obinna Iheoma at McNeese, 11/11/2017 (FG) NSU: at Nicholls, 34-0, 9/24/2011 Opponent: Alfonzo McMillian, Sam Houston St., 11/12/2016 (PAT) Opponent: by Nicholls, 58-0, 10/6/2007

Blocked a Punt: Shutout D-I Opponent: NSU: Dez Gray at McNeese, 11/11/2017 NSU: at Nicholls, 34-0, 9/24/2011 Opponent: Joe Pack, Southeastern Louisiana, 9/30/2017 Opponent: by SFA, 33-0, 11/19/2011

At Least 25 First Downs in a Game: 30-point Margin of Victory: NSU: 26, Stephen F. Austin, 11/18/2017 NSU: 42, Kentucky Wesleyan, 49-7, 10/8/2016 Opponent: 26, Sam Houston State, 10/14/2017 Opponent: 32, Sam Houston State, 48-16, 11/12/2016

100-Yard Rushing Game: Onside Kick Recovery: NSU: 158, Chris Jones vs. Stephen F. Austin, 11/18/2017 NSU Offense: Brice Borgeson vs. Nicholls, 10/29/2016 Opponent: 130, Carlos Blackman, Central Arkansas, 10/21/2017 Opponent: Caleb Abrom at Lamar, 11/15/2016

200-Yard Rushing Game: Completed 10 Consecutive Passes: NSU: De’Mard Llorens at Lamar (211 yards, 25 carries), 10/15/2016 NSU: 10, J. D. Almond at Abilene Christian, 11/5/2016 Opponent: Kade Harrington, Lamar (282 yards, 36 carries), 10/17/2015 Opponent: N/A

Bold indicates accomplished by a player on the 2018 team, 300-Yard Passing Game: Or accomplished this season by an opponent NSU: Clay Holgorsen: 381 (26-41-3) at McNeese, 11/11/2017 Opponent: Luke Anthony, 345 (29-45-2), Abilene Christian, 11/4/2017

Link It Up

PRESEASON OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART New-look NSU wants XWR 1 Jazz Ferguson (6-5, 220, Jr.-RS) 18 Kendrick Price Jr. (6-2, 200, So.-1L) There’s continuity, and yet significant change, as the most productive quarterback in Northwestern State history puts in 11 Tanner Ash (6-2, 206, Fr.-RS) place a program that among other things, should see his school passing records obliterated. Brad Laird took over last November as head coach at his beloved alma mater. He spent last season in his third stint as the HWR 14 Bryson Bourque (5-11, 187, Sr.-3L) Demons’ defensive coordinator, successfully upgrading the stop troops to a point where the fabled Purple Swarm nickname fit 10 Myles Ward (5-10, 178, Fr.-RS) once again. But it was not enough to infuse the 2017 Demons with a winning record overall, and as a result, there was a regime 19 Curtis Williams Jr. (5-7, 172, Fr.-HS) change after five seasons. Last year’s squad was tantalizingly close to NSU’s first winning records overall, and in league play, since 2008. Late road losses at FCS playoff entries Nicholls and Sam Houston were the difference. YWR 3 Marquisian Chapman (5-10, 184, Sr.-1L) “We’re close,” said Laird after being elevated to head coach. “A lot of what you need to win the Southland Conference 84 Gavin Landry (5-6, 177, So.-1L) championship is in place in this program. We were on the brink of beating two playoff teams so there’s not a huge gap we have 16 Coby McGee (5-11, 180, Fr.-HS) to overcome. There’s progress we will make, and it’s within our reach.” There was no need to rebuild Demon football. The core values – scholarship, citizenship, competitiveness – are solidly ZWR 8 Jaylen Watson (6-0, 191, Sr.-1L) established. But shoring up key components of a championship program – something Laird knows a lot about – has been the 89 McKane Kinchen (6-2, 187, Fr.-RS) primary mission since Nov. 21, 2017’s announcement. 6 Jalen Willis (6-3, 183, Fr.-HS) His impact was obvious right away, with the players, and with how he built his staff, around cornerstone hires in the co- ordinator spots. Brad Smiley’s offenses at Trinity Valley Community College have burned up scoreboards, and now the rapid-fire TE 81 Kalen Meggs (6-1, 243, Sr.-1L) attack will bring a new dimension to Turpin Stadium. Mike Lucas has plenty of experience in Turpin, nearly all of it as a visiting 31 Charles Vaughn (5-11, 266, Sr.-3L) coach, but in his lone season as defensive coordinator, the Purple Swarm defense created 30 turnovers in 2014. 86 Brody Griffin (6-5, 260, Jr.-TR) What makes his debut successful? “As a coaching staff and team, it’s about doing the right things and being the very best we can be. Our goal is to win the LT 70 Johnathan Hubbard (6-4, 291, So.-1L) Southland Conference championship. That’s our focus and it’s attainable. There are 11 teams trying and it’s a battle. Ultimately, 62 Jake Gore (6-2, 272, Fr.-RS) what would make this a successful season? Being as good as we can be and seeing where that is at the end of the run.” Heading into his first season in charge, Laird took time in early July to assess the Demons. LG 61 Frank Boudreaux (6-4, 294, Sr.-3L) QUARTERBACK 60 Tyler Rapp (6-1, 282, Jr.-1L) “It’s where so much starts, so we’ll start there. Going into spring, we had four guys battling for the starting position with 59 Jalen Haydel (6-2, 270, So.-SQ) the new system brought in by Coach Smiley. We’re now looking at two guys who separated themselves during the spring, Shelton Eppler and Clay Holgorsen. They’ll get more reps in fall camp, helping us to make a decision. Kaleb Fletcher and Kenny Sears did some good things as they competed and they’ll get opportunities during C 75 Dustin Burns (6-4, 287, Jr.-2L) fall camp, although with limited reps compared to what they got in the 56 Kenneth Sheldon (6-2, 281, Fr.-RS) spring. We don’t intend to play two. If we feel that gives us an advantage, 68 Dementrius Boulieu (6-1, 282, So.-SQ) then yes, but we’re pushing through looking for a starter, for one guy to take the reigns.” RG 57 Timmis Bonner (6-3, 291, Sr.-3L) RUNNING BACK 73 Zachary Perry (6-3, 253, So.-SQ) “We have two good ones with experience coming back, Jared West and 63 Alycha Ulufale-Hentz (6-6, 305, Fr.-HS) Stadford Anderson. They continued to improve throughout spring. The addition of Da’Von Smith is big. He was out with an ACL (last year) and now we have RT 72 Khalil Corbett-Canada (6-5, 285, So.-TR) three who can give us what we need at that position.” 77 Parker Fink (6-3, 253, Fr.-RS) TIGHT END 64 Reggie Young (6-5, 280, Fr.-HS) “Two seniors stepped up in the spring both on the field and with leadership ability. Kalen Meggs has some experience from last year and Charles Vaughn has been QB 5 Shelton Eppler (6-1, 205, Jr.-TR) here for three seasons. Both can play on or off the ball to do some things Coach Smiley’s sys- 4 Clay Holgorsen (6-0, 191, Sr.-1L) tem allows. Those two give us the best opportunity. Looking forward to getting Brody Griffin 2 Kaleb Fletcher (5-11, 187, So.-1L) and Christian Baliff in and seeing how quickly they pick up the system and how they fit.” OFFENSIVE LINE RB 21 Jared West (5-8, 185, Jr.-2L) “Khalil Corbett-Canada knows the system having played for Coach Smiley at Trinity 13 Stadford Anderson (6-1, 210, So.-1L) Valley, so that gives him a great advantage and benefits us. At the other tackle spot, Jonathan Hubbard had experience last year and mentally and physical made good strides in spring practice. 22 Da’Von Smith (5-9, 183, So.-SQ) “Dustin Burns is our guy at center, but can move to different positions as needed. He’s smart and tough. Timmis Bonner comes back with experience at guard, and has done a great job with leadership. Frank Boudreaux is solid as a rock and is another strong senior leader. So we have guys who started or played meaningful minutes in conference games. We obviously will miss having Chris Zirkle, a returning all-conference guard, on the field, but he has done a great job in his role with leadership and coaching up young guys. He’s going to be a great asset while he heals up this season. “Behind them, Tyler Rapp comes with experience having started at center and played at guard. Jake Gore, Kenny Sheldon and Parker Fink are young guys who made a particular impression in spring Jaylen Watson ball.” RECEIVER “Jaylen Watson had 35 catches in his first year last season. He continued to get better as the

4 FCS Playoffs: 1988 • 1997 • 1998 • 2001 • 2002 • 2004 Great Tradition • Brighter Future nsudemons.com Demon Football 2018

PRESEASON DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART to speed things up DE 52 Desmond Prejean (6-3, 2 , Jr.-2L) 17 Braylon Daigle (6-5, 244, So.-1L) year went along. Marquisian Chapman also had 35 catches and did make a lot of progress in spring. Bryson Bourque showed signs of what he can do moving forward, winning the Delaney Bowl Offensive MVP. Those are three cornerstone seniors. NT 90 Jalon Sangster (6-0, 276, Sr.-1L) “Kendrick Price really developed in the spring and can give us great depth at the receiver spot. Tanner Ash and Myles Ward 99 Damian Thompson (6-2, 305, So.-1L) are redshirt freshmen who bring a lot to the table, and will finally have the opportunity to get back out there healthy in fall camp after surgeries last year. “Then we add a very exciting player in Jazz Ferguson, who has length, great ability and is a guy who can be a difference DT 94 Zak Krolczyk (6-4, 260 Sr.-2L) maker. It will be a very busy group in Coach Smiley’s offense.” 42 Christian Bluiett (5-11, 277, Jr.-2L) DEFENSIVE LINE “At Buck end, Obi (Iheoma) made his presence felt as a pass rusher in 2017. We wanted to see consistency this spring, and BUCK 11 Obinna Iheoma (6-2, 224, Sr.-1L) what helped with that were Rashaud Powell and Landon King pushing him. We have three who can come off the edge and 47 Rashuad Powell (6-3, 235, Fr.-RS) make plays. “We have inside guys who played meaningful snaps last year. Jalon Sangster, Christian Bluiett are proven commodities. As SS 18 Ronald Malbrough (6-1, 208, Jr.-1L) a true freshman, Damien Thompson showed signs, when healthy, of what he can become. 20 Malik Sonnier (6-0, 185, So.-1L) “At the other end, Zak Krolczyk is the most consistent player up front, and brings a lot of experience and production to the table. As a true freshman, Braylon Daigle got into the mix and has continued to progress. MLB 43 Blake Stephenson (6-1, 212, Jr.-TR) “Desmond Prejean helped himself late last fall and again in the spring. He’s coming into his own as a playmaker.” 53 Brice Boregons (6-2, 227, Jr.-2L) LINEBACKER “Look at any position across the board, we took THE 2018 DEMONS AT A GLANCE Lettermen Returning/Lost: 43/25 WLB 33 Isaiah Longino (6-1, 226, So.-1L) the biggest hit here. Lot of inexperience here. Isaiah Starters Returning/Lost 14/14 38 Quindarrius Whitley (6-2, 211, Jr.-TR) Longino is the only one who did play, in a spot role late - Offensive Starters Returning/Lost 5/6 in the year as a true freshman. Brice Borgeson moved - Defensive Starters Returning/Lost 6/5 CB 28 Dylan Wilson (6-3, 193, Sr.-1L) back to linebacker when we shifted Landon King to - Special Teams Starters Returning/Lost 3/3 32 Darian Raymond (5-10, 168, Jr.-1L) Buck end, and that helped both of them. Offensive Formation Multiple “Blake Stephenson and Quindarrius Whitley came Defensive Formation Multiple in as junior college transfers and showed they can help FS 23 Nicholas Forde (5-11, 201, Jr.-2L) us right now. Blake really stood out.” 25 Hayden Bourgeois (5-11, 184, So.-1L) SAFETY “Nick Forde started every game last fall from the star position. Now he’s moved to free safety to be the quarterback on the ROV 8 Ryan Reed (6-0, 193, Jr.-2L) back end. Ryan Reed had a lot of quality snaps at the weak safety position las year. Kevin Ratliff really came on in spring after 7 Kevin Ratliff (6-0, 200, Jr.-RS) redshirting in 2017. Hayden Bourgeois was hampered by injuries last year and in spring. Fall camp will be huge for him. Ian Edwards has the ability and has to develop more consistency. CB 6 Rashaun Croney (6-0, 168, Sr.-1L) “Ronald Malbrough could be a force at one of those safety spots.” 2 D’Ronne Littleton (6-0, 167, Jr.-2L) CORNERBACK “There is experience back with five guys who have played or started. Dylan Wilson had a lot of meaningful reps last year. SPECIALISTS DEPTH CHART D’Ronne Littleton played a lot of snaps. Rashaun Croney started some last year. Darian Raymond has plenty of game experience. Malik Sonnier moved from safety to corner, a more natural position for him, and should contribute.” K 93 Austyn Fendrick (6-1, 234, So.-1L) SPECIAL TEAMS “Parker Pastorello punted 53 times last year, he’s been there and done well. Austyn Fendrick does all three – punts, P 35 Parker Pastorello (5-11, 183, Jr.-2L) kickoffs, placement kicks, and has a very powerful leg. The ball jumps off his foot. Maybe paring down his role will help with 93 Austyn Fendrick (6-1, 234, So.-1L) consistency. “Brandon Eberts, McKane Kinchen, Dustin Burns all are deep snappers, and we brought in Evan Gibson, so we will have DS 30 Brandon Eberts (5-10, 205, So.-1L) competition at a critical position. 89 McKane Kinchen (6-2, 185, Fr.-RS) “Pastorello is the obvious choice to hold. The kickers and punters work together so much in practice and Parker’s become very good at it. SS 75 Dustin Burns (6-4, 287, Jr.-2L) “In the return game, Hayden Bourgeois had some exciting returns, one kickoff that put in position to win at Houston 89 McKane Kinchen (6-2, 185, Fr.-RS) Baptist, and several punt runbacks that were close to going all the way. Jaylen Watson did a good job of fielding punts. It will be interesting to see Myles Ward on kickoffs, with his speed and ability, and Ryan Reed has been back there for us. Hayden and KR 10 Myles Ward (5-10, 178, Fr.-RS) Jaylen are also good options on kickoffs.” 25 Hayden Bourgeois (5-11, 184, So.-1L) COACH LAIRD’S KEYS “Quarterback - find the guy who’s going to lead this team. The development of the offensive line, finding the right fit, and also developing depth up front. Making plays at receiver, and being consistent at running back. PR 25 Hayden Bourgeois (5-11, 184, So.-1L) “Defense starts up front. We have depth at the Buck end, and we’ve got to be sure we have that across the front. The 8 Jaylen Watson (6-0, 191, Sr.-1L) biggest task is our development at linebacker with so many new faces and youth. We need to stay healthy in the secondary, find the right fits.”

2018 NORTHWESTERN STATE FOOTBALL Southland Conference Champions: 1988 • 1997 • 1998 • 2004 nsudemons.com // @NSUDemonsFB // #coNSUmed 5 Link It Up: coaches BRAD LAIRD HEAD COACH • FIRST SEASON AS NSU HEAD COACH

One of the Demons’ greatest players and defensive coordinators, Brad Laird took over as head coach at his alma mater in November. Laird begins his 18th year in coaching with a laser focus on detail and enthusiastic, energetic efficiency. “Every time Coach Laird talks to us, I think we’re going to win the national championship,” said one Demon player in his post-season evaluation following 2017, when Laird was NSU’s defensive coordinator. He had worked in that capacity twice before, for a total of seven years, as DC under Scott Stoker (2003-05, 2008) and Bradley Dale Peveto (2009-11). He and Jay Thomas were colleagues on the NSU defensive staff in 2010-11, and Thomas, NSU’s head coach from 2013-17, enticed him to rejoin the NSU staff last year as defensive coordinator. Laird begins his 18th season in coaching, his fifth as a head coach. From 2013-16, Laird was in charge at his high school alma mater, Ruston, where he averaged more than seven wins in four playoff sea- sons as head coach. In 2017, Laird restored the “Purple Swarm” brand for the NSU defense, which had struggled in the past two seasons but showed flashes of brilliance, especially down the stretch. In the past month, the Demons twice recorded 13 tackles for loss in wins over Houston Baptist and Abilene Christian, and staged a series of goal-line stands, two in the season-ending victory over Stephen F. Austin. Senior linebacker Peyton Guidry was named the national FCS Defensive Player of the Week after making 18 tackles against the Lumberjacks. Laird was running the Purple Swarm defense when NSU was second nationally in total defense (2004, 274.7 yards allowed per game) and ninth (2003, 287.3 ypg) and produced 75 turnovers from 2003-05. The Demons set three NCAA records and led the Southland Conference in total defense and rushing defense, also ranking highly in pass defense each season. The Demons won their most recent Southland champion- High (under his father, Billy Laird) before joining Stoker’s staff as defen- ship and made their last FCS playoff appearance in 2004. sive coordinator prior to spring practice in 2003 (Collins and Shows are in In 2004, the Demons tied an NCAA FCS record by notching two the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame). safeties vs. Texas Southern. A year earlier, his defense set FCS records by The Demons’ all-time career passing leader (6,037 yards, 1991-95), allowing only 1 first down and a net of minus 1-yard offense to Oklaho- he was a 2015 inductee in the N-Club Hall of Fame, the university’s high- ma Panhandle. est athletic honor. After a record-setting playing career at NSU, Laird joined coach An all-state quarterback in the state’s largest classification at Sam Goodwin’s Demon staff in 1996, serving as the defensive graduate Ruston, Laird was the 1991 Superdome Classic MVP for the Bearcats’ assistant coach working for then Demon defensive coordinator Peveto. unbeaten team that finished ranked No. 1 nationally by USA Today. He He then worked for coach Don Shows at West Monroe High School in was inducted in the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. 1997, going on to coach at Ouachita High, Longview (Texas) High (under Brad and his wife, Renee, are both Northwestern State graduates former FCS national champion coach Pat Collins) and Nashville (Ark.) and the parents of Brianna (15) and Brock (13).

42 FCS Playoffs: 1988 • 1997 • 1998 • 2001 • 2002 • 2004 Great Tradition • Brighter Future nsudemons.com Demon Football 2018 Laird Through The Years BRAD LAIRD FILE COACHING HISTORY 2018...... Northwestern State, Head Coach 2017 ...... Northwestern State, Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator 2016...... Ruston HS, Head Coach 2015...... Ruston HS, Head Coach 2014...... Ruston HS, Head Coach 2013...... Ruston HS, Head Coach 2011...... Northwestern State, Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator 2010...... Northwestern State, Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator 2009...... Northwestern State, Defensive Coordinator/Safeties 2008...... Northwestern State, Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers 2007...... Stephen F. Austin, Linebackers 2005...... Northwestern State, Defensive Coordinator 2004...... Northwestern State, Defensive Coordinator 2003...... Northwestern State, Defensive Coordinator 2002...... Nashville (Ark.) HS, Assistant Coach 2001...... Nashville (Ark.) HS, Assistant Coach 2000...... Longview (Texas) HS, Assistant Coach Northwestern State quarterback, 1991-95 1999...... Ouachita HS, Assistant Coach 1998...... Ouachita HS, Assistant Coach 1997...... West Monroe HS, Assistant Coach 1996...... Northwestern State, Graduate Assistant

PERSONAL Years at NSU...... Nine (1st as HC, 2nd since 2017) Birthdate...... June 20, 1973 Wife...... Renee Children...... Brianna (15) and Brock (12) High School...... Ruston HS College...... Northwestern State (1998) Playing Experience 1991-95...... Northwestern State

Northwestern State defensive coordinator, 2003-05, 2008-11, 2017

Northwestern State head coach, 2018 The Laird family (left to right): Brock, Brad, Renee and Brianna

2018 NORTHWESTERN STATE FOOTBALL Southland Conference Champions: 1988 • 1997 • 1998 • 2004 nsudemons.com // @NSUDemonsFB // #coNSUmed 43 Link It Up: coaches MIKE LUCAS DEFENSIVE COODINATOR/LBS • SECOND SEASON AT NSU Recruiting Area: Other Responsibilities: Central Louisiana/Alexandria Southland Conference Representative East Texas/Central Texas/Waco

ABOUT COACH LUCAS No stranger to Natchitoches or the Southland Conference, Mike Lucas begins his second stint as Northwestern State’s defensive coordinator, a position he held during the 2014 season. Lucas returns to Northwestern State after spending the past three seasons at UL Lafayette where he was the defen- Hometown: Pemberton, N.J. High School: Pemberton HS sive coordinator for the better part of the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Birthdate: March 7, 1959 While with the Ragin’ Cajuns, Lucas’ 2016 defense ranked 23rd among FBS teams in rushing defense (129.2 yards College: Liberty, 1982 per game) and 43rd in total defense (379.1). Lucas also coached linebackers at UL Lafayette, tutoring a pair of All-Sun Belt selections in Dominique Tovell (2015) COACHING HISTORY and Otha Peters (2016). During his previous stop in Natchitoches, Lucas’ 2014 Purple Swarm defense ranked fifth in FCS in takeaways (30), 2018..Northwestern State, DC/Linebackers 11th in turnover margin (plus-0.83) and 20th in interceptions (15). 2017...... UL Lafayette, DC/Linebackers From that unit, cornerback Imoan Claiborne was chosen to play in the 66th Annual Reese’s Senior Bowl while he and 2016...... UL Lafayette, DC/Linebackers 2015...... UL Lafayette, Linebackers linebacker Marion Chapman were first-team All-Southland Conference selections. 2014..Nothwestern State, Def. Coordinator Claiborne and defensive tackle Deon Simon both reached the NFL with Simon entering his fifth season with the New 2013...... Indiana State, Defensive Coorinator York Jets. 2012...... Indiana State, Defensive Coorinator Lucas was defensive coordinator at Southeastern for two seasons before moving into the head coaching post on an 2011...... Southeastern Louisiana, Head Coach interim basis for the last three games of 2006, and was head coach from 2007-12, recruiting players who contributed to 2010...... Southeastern Louisiana, Head Coach 2009...... Southeastern Louisiana, Head Coach SLU’s 2013 Southland Conference championship. 2008...... Southeastern Louisiana, Head Coach Under Lucas’ leadership, Southeastern improved its overall record each season from 2006-09 while the Lions, for the 2007...... Southeastern Louisiana, Head Coach first time since their program was restarted in 2003, became highly competitive in the Southland. Southeastern devel- 2006.Southeastern Louisiana, Def. Coordinator oped a school-record setting offense and a typically tough-to-attack defense guided by Lucas. After missing the final six 2005.Southeastern Louisiana, Def. Coordinator games of the 2008 season due to a heart valve procedure, Lucas returned to win Louisiana collegiate Coach of the Year 2004.Southeastern Louisiana, Def. Coordinator 2003...... Sam Houston State, Def. Coordinator honors in 2009. 2002...... Sam Houston State, Def. Coordinator At Sam Houston State as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach under iconic head coach Ron Randleman, 2001...... Sam Houston State, Def. Coordinator Lucas coached the Bearkats among the top 15 in FCS stat categories 11 times, and led the Southland Conference in 2000...... Sam Houston State, Def. Coordinator defense five times. Among school records set under Lucas: 52 sacks in 2001, fewest points per game (13.2) in 1991. 1999...... Sam Houston State, Def. Coordinator His SHSU defenses produced 65 All-Southland Conference honors by 41 different players, among them seven who 1998...... Sam Houston State, Def. Coordinator 1997...... Sam Houston State, Def. Coordinator signed NFL contracts and two who were NFL Draft picks. 1996...... Sam Houston State, Def. Coordinator He was defensive coordinator at Eastern New Mexico where his unit led the Lone Star Conference in total defense 1995...... Sam Houston State, Def. Coordinator and scoring defense, and ranked third nationally in punt returns. In 1984 he was wide receivers coach at UTEP. From 1994...... Sam Houston State, Def. Coordinator 1980-83, he coached the secondary, defensive line and linebackers, and assisted with strength and conditioning, at 1993...... Sam Houston State, Def. Coordinator Liberty. He began coaching as a defensive student assistant in 1979 at William and Mary. 1992...... Sam Houston State, Def. Coordinator 1991...... Sam Houston State, Def. Coordinator A two-year letterman at William and Mary, Lucas was a three-year letterman in football at Pemberton (N.J.) High 1990...... Sam Houston State, Def. Coordinator School, where he also lettered in baseball and wrestling. 1989...... Sam Houston State, Def. Coordinator Lucas and his wife Wendy have two adult sons, Tyler, a former quarterback and 2009 graduate of Cornell, and Torin, 1988...... Sam Houston State, Def. Coordinator a former catcher on the Southeastern Louisiana baseball team. He earned a bachelor of science degree in physical educa- 1987...... Sam Houston State, Def. Coordinator tion and psychology from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., in 1982. 1986...... Eastern New Mexico, Def. Coordinator 1985...... Eastern New Mexico, Def. Coordinator 1984...... UTEP, Wide Receivers 1983...... Liberty, Linebackers 1982...... Liberty, Linebackers 1981...... Liberty, Linebackers 1980...... Liberty, Linebackers

PLAYING HISTORY 1977-07...... Tulane

44 FCS Playoffs: 1988 • 1997 • 1998 • 2001 • 2002 • 2004 Great Tradition • Brighter Future nsudemons.com Demon Football 2018 BRAD SMILEY OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/RB/TE • FIRST SEASON AT NSU Recruiting Areas: Other Responsibilities: Northwest Louisiana/Northeast Texas High School Liaison

Brad Smiley, who built the Trinity Valley Community ABOUT COACH SMILEY College football team into one of the country’s most domi- nant junior college programs while steering a record-shat- Hometown: Natchitoches, Louisiana tering offense, returned to his hometown in November to High School: Natchitoches Central HS become Northwestern State’s offensive coordinator. Birthdate: June 19, 1973 Along with 11 seasons as head coach and two more College: Baylor, 1995; Northwestern State, 1997 (master’s) (1998-99) as assistant coach at TVCC, the 45-year-old Smi- Family: Janna (wife); Ben (son); Clary ley spent seven years at Tulane (2000-2006). He was a stu- (daughter) dent assistant in 1995 at Baylor, and a graduate assistant in 1996-97 at NSU, helping the Demons capture the 1997 COACHING HISTORY Southland Conference championship and an FCS playoff berth. 2018...... Northwestern State, OC/RB/TE He was named the 2014 National Junior College Coach 2017...... Trinity Valley CC, Head Coach The Smiley family (left to right): Clary (holding the family 2016...... Trinity Valley CC, Head Coach of the Year by American Football Monthly magazine and dog, Douie), Ben, Brad and Janna. 2015...... Trinity Valley CC, Head Coach has four conference coach of the year honors. Smiley took 2014...... Trinity Valley CC, Head Coach over a TVCC program than won two games in 2006 and His maternal grandmother, Clotile Pittman, was 2013...... Trinity Valley CC, Head Coach has won five straight conference championships and three awarded the prestigious Nth Degree after eight of her 2012...... Trinity Valley CC, Head Coach regional championships. He spent his final six seasons at daughters graduated from the university. Ten of her 12 2011...... Trinity Valley CC, Head Coach 2010...... Trinity Valley CC, Head Coach TVCC as the director of athletics. daughters attended the university. 2009...... Trinity Valley CC, Head Coach Since 2013, Smiley’s Cardinals posted a 49-9 record In his final seven seasons at Trinity Valley, Smiley re- 2008...... Trinity Valley CC, Head Coach and spent 64 consecutive weeks in the National Junior Col- cruited, coached and developed more Division I (FBS and 2007...... Trinity Valley CC, Head Coach lege Athletic Association Top 20, ranked in the top 10 for 22 FCS) players than any other junior college in the country. 2006...... Tulane, Tight Ends/Rec. Coordinator straight weeks. He is the only coach in conference history Twelve of his quarterbacks signed Division I scholarships, 2005...... Tulane, Tight Ends/Rec. Coordinator 2004...... Tulane, Tight Ends/Rec. Coordinator to win five straight league championships. with one reaching the NFL. Eleven of his former players 2003...... Tulane, Tight Ends “I couldn’t be more excited for Northwestern State have reached the NFL. 2002...... Tulane, Tight Ends University and our football program to get Brad Smiley At Tulane, he was the Green Wave’s recruiting coor- 2001...... Tulane, Offensive GA back here,” first-year head coach Brad Laird said. “He shares dinator for five seasons while coaching tight ends and as- 2000...... Tulane, Offensive GA the same vision I have for NSU football. His career speaks 1999...Trinity Valley CC, OL/TE/Rec. Coordinator sisting with the offensive line. He was part of an offensive 1998...Trinity Valley CC, OL/TE/Rec. Coordinator for itself, the success that he’s had at every stop, especially staff that produced Tulane’s career passing leader (Patrick 1997...... Northwestern State, TE/GA building Trinity Valley into a national power with a dynam- Ramsey), top two rushers (current New York Jets running 1996...... Northwestern State, TE/GA ic offensive system.” back Matt Forte and former NFL back Mewelde Moore), The Cardinals held a top-10 national ranking in total and scoring leader (Lou Groza Award-winning kicker Seth offense in nine of Smiley’s 11 seasons. TVCC led the NJ- Marler). CAA in touchdowns and scoring for three straight seasons Smiley and Janna have two children, Ben (15) and (2014-16) and set six team and two individual NJCAA of- Clary (13). fensive records including yards per game (656.1 in 2015) and yards in a season (7,778 in 2014). In 2015, the Cardi- nals’ offensive numbers led all of college football regard- less of affiliation or level. Smiley has a master’s degree in sport administration from NSU, with a bachelor’s in marketing from Baylor. His wife, Janna, is a Natchitoches native. His father, the late Dr. Barry Smiley, was the Dean of Business at NSU for 11 years. His mother, the late Shirley Pittman Smiley, also has strong tries to the Demons. She was an NSU nursing graduate along with eight of her sisters.

2018 NORTHWESTERN STATE FOOTBALL Southland Conference Champions: 1988 • 1997 • 1998 • 2004 nsudemons.com // @NSUDemonsFB // #coNSUmed 45 Demon Football 2018 Individual Statistics RUSHING INTERCEPTIONS G Att. Gain Loss Net Avg. TD Lg Y/G Ints. Yds. Yds./R TD Long Chris Jones 11 171 831 45 786 4.6 5 90 71.5 Ike Warren 3 38 12.7 0 34 Jared West 11 63 339 13 326 5.2 5 62 29.6 Peyton Guidry 2 3 1.5 0 3 Stadford Anderson 9 52 224 17 207 4.0 1 29 23.0 Nick Forde 1 -3 -3.0 0 0 Kaleb Fletcher 7 46 189 42 147 3.2 1 21 21.0 Total 6 38 6.3 0 34 Marquisian Chapman 11 14 91 12 79 5.6 0 21 7.2 Opponents 11 110 10.0 0 39 J.D. Almond 10 37 122 83 39 1.1 1 14 3.9 Tyreik Campbell 4 10 37 1 36 3.6 0 11 9.0 KICK RETURNS Xavier Bell 10 1 2 0 2 2.0 0 2 0.2 Att. Yds. Yds./R TD Long Team 7 7 0 17 -17 -2.4 0 0 -2.4 Xavier Bell 33 676 20.5 0 38 Total 11 425 1876 282 1594 3.8 13 90 144.9 Hayden Bourgeois 5 114 22.8 0 35 Opponents 11 434 2233 312 1921 4.4 20 66 174.6 Charles Vaughn 4 51 12.8 0 19 Gavin Landry 3 21 7.0 0 11 PASSING Corban James 1 11 11.0 0 11 G Eff. C-A-I Pct Yds TD Lg Y/G Ike Warren 1 10 10.0 0 10 Clay Holgorsen 10 121.51 109-190-6 57.4 1240 9 43 124.0 Cameron Lazare 1 0 0.0 0 0 J.D. Almond 10 115.38 75-143-5 52.5 994 5 74 99.4 Total 48 883 18.4 0 38 Bobby Chan-Chan 9 485.20 3-3-0 100.0 59 2 27 6.6 Opponents 32 603 18.8 0 36 Parker Pastorello 10 917.20 1-1-0 100.0 58 1 58 5.80 Kaleb Fletcher 7 63.01 5-15-0 33.0 53 0 21 7.6 FUMBLE RETURNS Kenny Sears 1 55.73 1-3-0 33.0 8 0 8 8.0 Att. Yds. Avg./R TD Long Total 11 120.65 194-357-11 54.3 2412 17 74 219.2 Lyn Clark 1 16 16.0 0 16 Opponents 11 144.43 207-353-6 58.6 2923 21 88 265.7 Total 1 16 16.0 0 16 RECEIVING Opponents 3 180 60.0 3 85 G Rec. Yds. Yds/R TD Lg Y/G SCORING Jaylen Watson 11 31 484 15.6 4 74 44.0 PAT PAT PAT PAT Bobby Chan-Chan 9 29 453 15.6 2 44 50.3 Scoring TDs FG Kick Rush Rcv Pass DXP Saf Pts Marquisian Chapman 11 31 314 10.1 3 39 28.6 Eric Piccione - 13-18 27-28 - - - - - 66 Cameron Lazare 11 36 314 8.7 2 16 28.6 Jared West 5 ------30 Chris Jones 11 12 186 15.5 0 43 16.9 Chris Jones 5 ------30 Jared West 11 14 152 10.9 0 36 13.8 Jaylen Watson 4 ------24 Bryson Bourque 11 14 147 10.5 1 21 13.3 Marquisian Chapman 3 ------18 Lucas Morgan 11 11 122 11.1 2 27 11.1 Lucas Morgan 2 ------12 Kwan Adkins 11 4 61 15.3 0 21 5.6 Bobby Chan-Chan 2 ------12 Stadford Anderson 9 5 59 11.8 0 24 6.6 Cameron Lazare 2 ------12 Hayden Bourgeois 8 1 58 58.0 1 58 7.3 Tyreik Campbell 1 ------6 Xavier Bell 10 1 18 18.0 0 18 1.8 J.D. Almond 10 1 18 18.0 0 18 1.8 Stadford Anderson 1 ------6 Chris Fuller 1 1 10 10.0 0 10 10.0 Bryson Bourque 1 ------6 Kalen Meggs 10 2 9 4.5 1 8 0.9 Kalen Meggs 1 ------6 Tyreik Campbell 4 1 7 7.00 1 7 7.0 J.D. Almond 1 ------6 Total 11 194 2412 12.4 17 74 219.2 Hayden Bourgeois 1 ------6 Opponents 11 207 2923 14.1 21 88 265.7 Kaleb Fletcher 1 ------6 Austyn Fendrick - 1-2 1-1 - - - - - 4 PUNT RETURNS Clay Holgerson - - - - - 0-1 - - 0 Att. Yds. Yds./R TD Long Total 30 14-20 28-29 - - 0-1 - - 250 Hayden Bourgeois 10 112 11.2 0 27 Opponents 46 9-20 43-44 - - 0-2 - - 346 Jaylen Watson 2 33 16.5 0 33 Dez Gray 1 13 13.0 0 0 FIELD GOALS D’Ronne Littleton 2 7 3.5 0 7 Field Goals Fg Pct. 1-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-99 LG BLK Total 15 165 11.0 0 33 Eric Piccione 13-18 72.2 0-0 2-2 5-8 6-7 0-1 49 0 Opponents 14 177 12.6 2 66 Austyn Fendrick 1-2 50.0 0-0 0-0 1-1 0-0 0-1 34 0 PUNTING No. Yds Avg. Lg TB FC i20 50+ Blk Parker Pastorello 53 2037 38.4 71 4 19 16 8 1 Eric Piccione 14 506 36.1 48 0 6 4 0 0 Total 67 2543 37.4 71 4 25 20 8 1 Opponents 57 2089 36.7 78 2 20 16 2 1

2018 NORTHWESTERN STATE FOOTBALL Southland Conference Champions: 1988 • 1997 • 1998 • 2004 nsudemons.com // @NSUDemonsFB // #coNSUmed 67 Link It Up: 2017 in review Individual Statistics Team Statistics TOTAL OFFENSE NSU OPP Total Offense G Plays Rush Pass Total Avg./g SCORING 250 346 Clay Holgorsen 10 214 -11 1240 1229 122.9 Points Per Game 22.7 31.5 J.D. Almond 10 180 39 994 1033 103.3 FIRST DOWNS 210 223 Chris Jones 11 171 786 0 786 71.5 Rushing 85 96 Jared West 11 63 326 0 326 29.6 Passing 108 105 Stadford Anderson 9 52 207 0 207 23.0 Penalty 17 22 Kaleb Fletcher 7 61 147 53 200 28.6 RUSHING YARDAGE 1594 1921 Marquisian Chapman 11 14 79 0 79 7.2 Yards gained rushing 1876 2233 Bobby Chan-Chan 9 3 0 59 59 6.6 Yards lost rushing 282 312 Parker Pastorello 10 1 0 58 58 5.8 Rushing Attempts 425 434 Tyreik Campbell 4 10 36 0 36 9.0 Average Per Rush 3.8 4.4 Kenny Sears 1 3 0 8 8 8.0 Average Per Game 144.9 174.6 Xavier Bell 10 1 2 0 2 0.2 TDs Rushing 13 20 TEAM 7 9 -17 0 -17 -2.4 PASSING YARDAGE 2412 2923 Total 11 782 1594 2412 4006 364.2 Comp-Att-INT 194-357-11 203-353-6 Opponents 11 787 1921 2923 4844 440.4 Average Per Pass 6.8 8.3 Average Per Catch 12.4 14.1 ALL PURPOSE Average Per Game 219.3 265.7 G Rush Rec PR KOR IR Total Avg./G TDs Passing 17 21 Chris Jones 11 786 186 0 0 0 972 88.4 TOTAL OFFENSE 4006 4844 Xavier Bell 10 2 18 0 676 0 696 69.6 Total Plays 782 787 Jaylen Watson 11 0 484 33 0 0 517 47.0 Average Per Play 5.1 6.2 Jared West 11 326 152 0 0 0 478 43.5 Average Per Game 364.2 440.4 Bobby Chan-Chan 9 0 453 0 0 0 453 50.3 KICK RETURNS: No.-Yards 48-883 32-603 Marquisian Chapman 11 79 314 0 0 0 393 35.7 PUNT RETURNS: No.-Yards 15-165 14-177 Cameron Lazare 11 0 314 0 0 0 314 28.5 INT RETURNS: No.-Yards 6-38 11-110 Hayden Bourgeois 8 0 58 112 114 0 284 35.5 KICK RETURN AVERAGE 18.4 18.8 Stadford Anderson 9 207 59 0 0 0 266 29.6 PUNT RETURN AVERAGE 11.0 12.6 Kaleb Fletcher 7 147 0 0 0 0 147 21.0 INT RETURN AVERAGE 6.3 10.0 Bryson Bourque 11 0 147 0 0 0 147 13.4 FUMBLES-LOST 24-13 17-11 Lucas Morgan 11 0 122 0 0 0 122 11.1 PENALTIES-Yards 80-725 81-742 Kwan Adkins 11 0 61 0 0 0 61 5.5 Average Per Game 65.9 67.5 J.D. Almond 10 39 18 0 0 0 57 5.7 PUNTS-Yards 68-2543 57-2089 Charles Vaughn 11 0 0 0 51 0 51 4.6 Average Per Punt 37.4 36.6 Ike Warren 10 0 0 0 10 38 48 4.8 Net punt average 33.6 33.1 Tyreik Campbell 4 36 7 0 0 0 43 10.8 KICKOFFS-Yards 51-2986 66-3858 Gavin Landry 8 0 0 0 21 0 21 2.6 Average Per Kick 58.5 58.5 Dez Gray 10 0 0 13 0 0 13 1.3 Net kick average 41.3 39.4 Corban James 11 0 0 0 11 0 11 1.0 TIME OF POSSESSION/Game 31:58 28:02 Chris Fuller 1 0 10 0 0 0 10 10.0 3RD-DOWN Conversions 51/164 64/169 Kalen Meggs 10 0 9 0 0 0 9 0.9 3rd-Down Pct 31% 38% D’Ronne Littleton 11 0 0 7 0 0 7 0.6 4TH-DOWN Conversions 8/17 7/18 Peyton Guidry 11 0 0 0 0 3 3 0.3 4th-Down Pct 47% 39% Nick Forde 11 0 0 0 0 -3 -3 -0.3 SACKS BY-Yards 27-143 23-126 Clay Holgorsen 10 -11 0 0 0 0 -11 -1.1 MISC YARDS 0 0 Team 7 -17 0 0 0 0 -17 -2.4 TOUCHDOWNS SCORED 30 46 Total 11 1594 2412 165 883 38 5092 462.9 FIELD GOALS-ATTEMPTS 14-20 9-208 Opponents 11 1921 2923 177 603 110 5734 521.3 ON-SIDE KICKS 0-0 0-0 RED-ZONE SCORES (24-32) 75% (38-51) 75% RED-ZONE TOUCHDOWNS (18-32) 56% (29-51) 57% KICKOFFS PAT-ATTEMPTS (28-29) 97% (43-44) 98% No. Yds Avg. TB OB Ret. Net. Ydln ATTENDANCE 37,749 59,380 Eric Piccione 46 278 60.5 11 6 Home Games/Avg Per Game 5/7,550 6/9,897 Austyn Fendrick 5 204 40.8 0 1 Score by Quarters 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT Total Total 51 2986 58.5 11 7 18.8 41.3 23 Northwestern State 67 75 61 44 3 250 Opponents 66 3858 58.5 15 2 18.4 39.4 25 Opponents 85 125 62 74 0 346

68 FCS Playoffs: 1988 • 1997 • 1998 • 2001 • 2002 • 2004 Great Tradition • Brighter Future nsudemons.com Demon Football 2018 Defensive Statistics Tackles Sacks Pass Defense Fumbles Blocked Player GP UA A Total TFL/YDS No.-Yds Int-Yds. PBU QBH Rcv.-Yds. FF Kick Saf. Peyton Guidry 11 43 42 85 9.5-31 2.5-12 2-3 1 3 1-0 2 - - Nick Pierotti 9 34 44 78 5.0-6 - - 1 1 2-0 - - - Ryan Reed 11 50 21 71 2.0-12 - - 2 1 - 2 - - Chrishard Buhl 11 32 37 69 7.0-19 1.0-7 - 4 2 1-0 1 - - Austin Balthazor 11 40 26 66 2.5-6 - - 4 - - - - - Zak Krolczyk 11 18 23 41 9.0-43 5.0-28 ------Obinna Iheoma 11 20 15 35 11.0-40 8.0-36 - - 10 - 1 1 - Lyn Clark 11 26 9 35 7.0-25 6.0-17 0 1 3 2-16 2 - - Ike Warren 10 21 13 34 1.5-2 - 3-38 9 - - - - - Dannie Harmon 11 8 20 28 1.0-7 1.0-7 - 3 3 1-0 - - - Nick Forde 11 17 11 28 2.5-5 - 1-(-3) 1 - 1-0 - - - Christian Bluiett 11 13 13 26 2.5-4 - - 1 - 1-0 - - - Damian Thompson 11 16 9 25 3.5-15 1.0-10 ------Jalon Sangster 10 13 10 23 5.0-15 1.0-6 - - 1 1-0 - - - Braylon Daigle 11 8 11 19 ------Isaiah Longino 8 11 7 18 1.0-7 1.0-7 - 1 - - - - - D’Ronne Littleton 11 13 5 18 1.0-5 - - 7 - - - - - Dylan Wilson 9 12 5 17 - - - 2 - - - - - Hayden Bourgeois 8 6 10 16 1.0-2 1.0-2 ------Rashaun Croney 7 10 4 14 - - - 2 - - 1 - - Lionel Williams 10 10 4 14 1.0-2 1.0-2 - 3 - - 1 - - Malik Sonnier 8 9 1 10 1.0-3 - - 3 - - - - - Ian Edwards 3 6 2 8 0.5-1 - - 1 - - - - - Dez Gray 10 3 5 8 ------1 - Duke Dantzler 8 - 7 7 - - - - 1 - - - 1 Darian Raymond 6 6 1 7 ------Tremaine Whittley 8 2 4 6 - - - 1 2 1-0 - - - Brice Borgeson 11 3 3 6 ------Demond Prejean 11 2 3 5 1.0-2 - - - 1 - 1 - - Keith Ford 7 1 3 4 0.5-1 ------Isaiah Wheeler 5 - 4 4 ------Gavin Landry 8 4 - 4 ------Bryson Bourque 11 3 - 3 ------Ronald Marlbrough 7 3 - 3 2.0-17 - - 1 - - - - - Kwan Adkins 11 2 - 2 ------Jaylen Watson 11 2 - 2 ------Chris Jones 11 1 1 2 ------Parker Pastorello 10 1 - 1 ------Jared West 11 - 1 1 ------Corban James 11 1 - 1 ------1 - - Lucas Morgan 11 1 - 1 ------Cameron Lazare 11 1 - 1 ------Korliss Johnson 11 1 - 1 ------Team 7 1 - 1 ------Total 11 475 374 849 78-270 27-143 6-38 48 28 11-16 12 2 - Opponents 11 449 316 765 67-247 23-126 11-110 38 40 13-180 16 1 -

2018 NORTHWESTERN STATE FOOTBALL Southland Conference Champions: 1988 • 1997 • 1998 • 2004 nsudemons.com // @NSUDemonsFB // #coNSUmed 69