Box Score NATCHITOCHES – While No. 3 Sam Houston State has undoubtedly set itself apart in the 2011 Southland Conference football race, the undefeated Bearkats' 43-17 win Saturday over Northwestern State could have been a tightly-contested battle along the lines of last year's double overtime Demons' win, NSU coach Bradley Dale Peveto said Sunday.
 
““It's as frustrating a game as we've had here,” said Peveto. “The first-half turnovers hurt badly. They scored 10 points off two turnovers, bringing an interception back for a touchdown and getting a field goal off a fumble. Otherwise it's 13-7 at halftime.
 
“Our Achilles' heel defensively was not staying with our coverage while chasing a scrambling quarterback, but not a guy who looks like he'll give you that kind of trouble. He evaded us somehow, and as a result, we gave up two big pass plays, one a touchdown and the other leading to a touchdown, and you fold those in with the turnovers, there's 24 points and it's a whole different game.”
 
The Demons (5-5 overall, 3-3 in the Southland Conference) had three drives of 10 plays or more and seven series where they gained at least 36 yards against a Bearkats defense that led the nation  in rushing defense and scoring defense.
 
“Our offense moved the ball but couldn't sustain drives in the first half. We did sustain drives in the second half but didn't finish any until the game was out of reach,” said Peveto, whose team got a 1-yard touchdown run by D.J. Palmer with 5:11 remaining for its only offensive TD.
 
“They've got a great defense, tough to move against, but we had opportunities we missed,” said offensive coordinator Todd Cooley. “The interception (a tipped pass returned 23 yards for a  TD)  was a tough play for us, and they made a good play on it. We can learn from it, but would rather not have to.”
 
“We were behind them on long balls several times and just didn't make the connections,” said Peveto. “They got after (quarterback) Brad Henderson all day, more than anybody else we've played since LSU.”
 
Offensive lineman Larry Calcote, tight end Justin Aldredge, Henderson and Palmer all got praise for their efforts from Cooley.
 
“Larry had to move outside to left tackle when we lost Blayne Cole (ankle injury) and gave a great effort, showed some flashes there in a tough spot. Justin was Justin, so reliable, so tough, so competitive (4 catches, 59 yards at tight end). Brad stood in there tough and D.J. made some plays for us catching and running.
 
“Defensively we had our opportunities to make this a down-to-the-wire game,” said defensive coordinator Brad Laird. “Other than two plays, we defended the option pretty well, but we had breakdowns where if we just stay in our gaps, stay in our coverage, do our jobs every play, the outcome has a chance to be different.”
 
Defensive linemen Wade Williams and Lesley Deamer, along with All-America linebacker Derek Rose (13 tackles), were defensive standouts. Junior safety Jamaal White (9 tackles) “rebounded from not one of his best games a week before,” said Laird. “He is an important guy for us to defend the option and he did a really good job for us Saturday.”
 
For the second straight week, NSU was outscored by three touchdowns in a pivotal third quarter. The Demons have gained only 61 yards in the last three third quarters.
 
“We've got to clean that up, in all phases,” said Peveto. “We've really played pretty well in the other three quarters, but the last three weeks something has been haywire with our approach in the third quarter, and I am going to address that with our team. Our effort has been all you could ask, but we've struggled coming out of halftime.”
 
The Demon coaches all agreed that Sam Houston lived up to billing. The Bearkats have not trailed since their second game. NSU's 17 points was the most scored against them since then, and by any FCS opponent.
 
“Their record (10-0) is no accident,” said Laird. “They do a great job playing, coaching and competing.”
 
“They could go a long way in the FCS playoffs,” said Peveto. “They're playing with a lot of confidence.”
 
The Demons wrap up the season at home Saturday afternoon at 3 against old rival Stephen F. Austin.
 
“It's the chance for a winning season and to finish on a note that is more in tone with what this team is about,” said Peveto. “We are going to rally up and give it everything we've got.”