By: nsudemons.com
Northwestern State Demons (5-6 in 2011)
vs. Delta State Statesmen (1-0, No. 2 in Division II)
Thursday, Sept. 1 - Turpin Stadium, Natchitoches – 6:00
The curtain rises on the 2011 season
Northwestern State kicks off its 102nd season of intercollegiate football, and the third under Bradley Dale Peveto's leadership, Thursday evening in Turpin Stadium against Delta State. This will be the 937th game in school history.
NSU is looking for its first season-opening win since 2008, but in fairness, the last two openers were challenging, at Houston and at Air Force. In season opening games at Turpin Stadium, the Demons are 14-4 since 1977 and have won seven straight starting with a 27-10 victory over Southern in 1996. In season openers in the previous 101 campaigns, Northwestern is 50-47-4 and has won 7 of 11 this century. The Demons are 18-16 in opening games in their previous 34 Division I seasons beginning in 1977.
The Demons are 26-7 in home openers at Turpin Stadium, but 0-2 under Bradley Dale Peveto, falling 27-20 to North Dakota in 2009 and 19-7 last year to Samford.
Major milestone near as Demons two shy of 500 wins
Demon football is two wins shy of 500 victories all-time since 1907 with a 498-416-22 record (544 winning percentage), beginning its 102nd season of competition, and 104th year of existence. Louisiana Normal, which came Northwestern State College in 1944, did not field football teams in 1918 and 1943 due to World Wars I and II, respectively.
Although football games were played against club teams, area high schools and town teams prior to 1907, the first intercollegiate game for NSU took place against Louisiana Polytechnic. It didn't end well, a 43-0 loss, but it started something big. The Demons celebrated their football centennial in 2007, highlighted by fans voting and a blue-ribbon committee finalizing a roster of the Top 100 Players in Demon History. Assistant coach Brad Laird was on the roster.
Statesmen provide a very tough Opening Night test
Delta State was the Division II national runner-up last season, seeing a fourth-quarter lead slip away in a dramatic 20-17 loss to Minnesota-Duluth. The Statesmen return 17 starters (6 offensive, 8 defensive, 3 specialists) among 42 letterwinners from that 11-4 team. Quarterback Micah Davis, running back Brandon Lucas, center Darrell Leopold, linebacker Xavier Triplett and cornerback Dominque Davenport are among the top veterans for Delta State, which shared the Gulf South Conference championship with Henderson State last year.
The Statesmen lost their only 2010 game against an FCS foe, falling 32-17 at Jackson State.
Delta State opened its season with a 28-21 overtime win last Saturday night at home over Elizabeth City (N.J.), the alma mater of the late Saints great, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame member Sam Mills. The Statesmen rallied from a 21-7 halftime deficit.
Division II foes have been welcome in Turpin
This will be the second straight season a Division II foe has visited Turpin Stadium. Last year, the Demons won a rugged 17-14 decision over Tarleton State on Sept. 18, opening the game with an 88-yard touchdown drive and never trailing. That ended a 13-game NSU skid and gave Bradley Dale Peveto his first career victory.
The Demons have been dominant against Division II visitors, going 29-1 in Turpin, including a 16-game winning streak dating back to 1994. Then, East Texas State (now Texas A&M-Commerce) with future NFL QB Bob Bounds, surprised NSU 28-24.
In the 16-game streak, Included are a couple of encounters with Delta State, 34-0 in 1995 and 35-7 in 2002. The Demons have outscored their last nine D2 visitors 366-69.
Division I FCS programs like NSU can offer 63 scholarships, while Division II teams have 36 to give. Academic requirements are more stringent for NCAA scholarship awards in Division I.
Turpin a tough stop for all visitors
Opposing teams fare poorly on the turf at Turpin. The Demons are 113-52-1, a .685 winning rate, at home since old Demon Stadium was transformed into Harry “Rags” Turpin Stadium. It officially opened for the 1977 season.
The Demons have been unbeaten at home in Turpin Stadium five times, the last in 2004 – when NSU went on to claim its most recent Southland Conference title and its last FCS playoff appearance. The unbeaten in Turpin list: 1980, 6-0; 1982, 5-0; 1988, 5-0; 2002, 4-0; 2004, 6-0. There were several other unbeaten seasons in old Demon Stadium, including the perfect 9-0 1966 team.
Demons among nation's most improved in 2010
With an improvement of five wins in 2010 over the 2009 season, Northwestern State tied Maryland for the fourth most improved record in NCAA Division I football last season.
The improvement extended to the classroom. When the NCAA issued its annual Academic Progress Rate report in May, Northwestern ranked seventh among 125 FCS programs in the level of improvement from 2008-09 to 2009-10 in the APR score for its football program. That jump came in Bradley Dale Peveto's first season as the Demons' head coach.
Get into your seats for the Demons' first play and first possession
Last year, Northwestern averaged 19 yards per play on its first offensive snap of the game. NSU has scored on its first possession of the game 9 times in 22 games over the past two seasons under offensive coordinator Todd Cooley.
This Rose will stick you
Junior linebacker Derek Rose last season stacked up 138 tackles and became the first NSU sophomore since return specialist Terrence McGee (2000) to win All-America honors. In school history, there's been only one three-time football All-American: College Football Hall of Fame and Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame linebacker Gary Reasons, from 1981-83.
Rose had the most tackles by a Demon since 1991, when senior LB Andre “The Terminator” Carron set the single-season mark with 176. Carron broke Gary Reasons' school record of 172 in 1983. J.T. Fenceroy threatened that mark two years later with 170. The fourth-best total is 154 by Carron in his junior year, 1990, and Carron had 152 as a sophomore in 1989.
All-American Jamall Johnson, the leading tackler in the Canadian Football League last season, made 119 in 2004. Kurt Rodriguez had 127 stops in 2000.
In NCAA statistics, Rose last year ranked 14th nationally in tackles per game (11.0, 121 total). The NCAA uses game statistics with tackles credited from the press box.
NSU uses coaches' grades for our tackle totals. We don't believe a statistician sitting far from the field can accurately credit tackles in interior line play as well as a coach watching film with the benefit of replays, and we are most interested in maintaining the integrity of a fair comparison between today's players and the best in our history.
Already in the school record book
Junior quarterback Paul Harris already ranks in the Demons' career top 10 in passing yardage (2,799 yards) and total offense (3,599), sitting 10th in both categories. Brad Laird, NSU's defensive coordinator, holds both records, with 6,037 passing yards and 6,178 yards of total offense from 1991-95.
NSU was good in the clutch last season
The Demons' first four wins in 2010 were by a total of 24 points with each outcome decided in the final two minutes or overtime
Young and experienced: playing true freshmen pays dividends for Demons
The Demons have 23 players who have played as true freshmen in either 2009 (13) or 2010 (10) on their 2011 roster. A total of 59 letterwinners opened preseason camp Aug. 2.
Accomplished returners
Northwestern State senior linebacker Yaser Elqutub won the Southland Conference's Steve McCarty Citizenship Award for 2010-11, and was also recognized in May as one of 133 Newman Civic Fellows from around the country based on his community service activities.
Elqutub and senior tight end Justin Aldredge were among only 55 players from around the country chosen for the FCS Athletic Directors Association Academic All-Star Team for 2010, spotlighting outstanding scholar-athletes in Division I's playoff subdivision. Elqutub and Aldredge also are returning Academic All-District 6 selections, making that team last fall alongside players from Texas, LSU and Oklahoma, among others, on a ballot including nominees from Division I teams in six states: New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Turnover margin one of three season keys for Demons
Last year, NSU was minus 15 in turnover margin, and still won five times. In the winless 2009 season, the Demons were a miserable -19 in turnovers. To say the least, it's one of three key points of emphasis this year along with ramping up the running game and minimizing the “foolish” penalties.
Demons have game captains for Delta State
Captains for the season opener, as chosen by the coaches, are senior TE Justin Aldredge, junior DE Ricky Issac, and senior DS David Larsen.
“The Demon Deacons” provide leadership for NSU players
The team relies heavily on 19 “Demon Deacons,” the team's leadership group. Coach Bradley Dale Peveto regularly consults with the Demon Deacons on issues big and small - to assure that players have real input into decisions that impact their NSU experience. Players in each position group vote for their “Deacon” and if there's a neck-and-neck vote, two players are selected.
The Demon Deacons concept was initially used at Northwestern by one of Peveto's mentors, coach Sam Goodwin, the school's winningest coach in his 17 seasons (1983-99). Peveto came from LSU, where coach Les Miles and the Tigers followed the same approach with their “Unity Council.”
The Demon Deacons offensively are QBs Paul Harris and Brad Henderson, RBs Sidney Riley and Sterling Endsley, WR T.C. Henry, OL Zach Case,FB Brant Legendre and TEs Justin Aldredge and David Larsen.
Defensively, Demon Deacons are DE Wade Williams and Ricky Issac, DT Quinn Anthony, LBs Derek Rose and Yaser Elqutub, S Phil LeBlanc and Jamaal White, CBs Jeremy Lane and Cashas Pollard. Special teams are represented by K John Shaughnessy.
All in the family
TE Justin Aldredge had plenty of family tradition to consider when deciding to play at Northwestern. Aldredge is the grandson of one of NSU's all-time greats, All-America end Corwyn Aldredge, who played two NFL seasons with Cleveland following his days as a Demon in 1962-64. Justin's father, Corwyn Jr., was an All-Southeastern Conference tight end at Mississippi State who played two NFL seasons in Tampa Bay. His uncle, Duke Marcus, was a linebacker on the 1987 Northeast Louisiana (now Louisiana-Monroe) team that won the national FCS title (formerly Division I-AA).
True freshman CB Tri McCoy is the son of Demon letterman Triand McCoy, who played DT from 1986-89. Dad was part of the 1988 Southland Conference championship squad.
WR Louis Hollier is the son of Louis Hollier Sr., who played LB at Louisiana-Lafayette. DE Mike Adams is the son of a former New Orleans Saints defender and a third-round NFL Draft pick by the same name.
Coaches upstairs, on field
During the game, NSU has defensive coordinator Brad Laird, offensive coordinator Todd Cooley, and graduate assistants and Matt Mandich upstairs in the press box.
On the field are head coach/linebackers coach Bradley Dale Peveto, offensive line coach Jeremy Offutt, running backs coach Jake Simon, receivers coach Sean Anderson, tight ends coach and special teams coordinator Brendan Farrell, defensive line coach Jay Thomas and cornerbacks coach De'Vonn Lockett.
NSU's NFL tradition
Northwestern has a proud tradition of producing pro football players – and pro stars. Among the dozens of Demons advancing to the NFL have been eight who have become Pro Bowlers, nine who have played in the Super Bowl, one in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Jackie Smith) and two in the College Football Hall of Fame (Joe Delaney, Gary Reasons).
Two (Bobby Hebert, Mark Duper) have been featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
All of the players who played at least one full NFL season are featured with their own personalized displays on 53 pillars underneath the west side of Turpin Stadium. Nearly two dozen others who went to NFL camps are listed on 2 more pillars.
Two former players coaching on Sundays this season
There are 5 NSU alumni active in the NFL, 2 playing with the Buffalo Bills. Two more former Demon players are coaching. New Orleans Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson and Philadelphia Eagles strength coach Barry Rubin are on NFL sidelines each Sunday.
Johnson arrived in New Orleans in 2009 after being on Mike Shanahan's staff in Denver in 2007-08. It was excellent timing - the Saints stormed to the Super Bowl title.
Johnson played center from 1975-78, and Rubin was a Jewish All-America tight end from 1978-80. Johnson and Rubin were student/graduate coaches and began their coaching careers here.
Rubin is in his 14th NFL season. He was formerly assistant and then head strength coach in Green Bay, and returned to the NFL ranks two years ago with the Eagles. Johnson is in his 11th NFL season.
3 Demons on NFL rosters - two starting in Buffalo
Former Demon All-American Demetrius Bell and Terrence McGee are starters for the Buffalo Bills. Isaiah Greenhouse is with the Dallas Cowboys.
McGee is beginning his 9th season with Buffalo. The 2005 Pro Bowler last year signed a long-term contract (4 years, $27 million). McGee is a well-regarded starting cornerback who has also made a mark as a kick returner. In 2005, McGee became the first player in NFL history to run back a kickoff and an interception for touchdowns in the same game (vs. Cincinnati). He shares the Bills' franchise record with 7 return TD (5 KOR, 1 int., 1 fumble). He was recently named the 47th best player in club history.
Bell was a 2007 All-American for the Demons. He was a 7th-round 2008 NFL Draft pick by the Bills. He defied projections that had him, at best, making the practice squad last year. He became a starter in 2009 for the first 8 games, before an injury sidelined him. He was the starting left tackle in all 16 games last season.
Greenhouse, a 2009 senior at NSU, played last year for the Houston Texans on special teams. He was a linebacker at NSU and in Houston but Dallas is trying him at fullback.
Another former Demon, 2004 All-American LB Jamall Johnson, is a veteran with the CFL's Hamilton Tiger Cats. He led the CFL in tackles last season. He has a rookie Demon in front of him, 2009 senior DT Al Smith. Playing for the Edmonton Eskimos is former Demon CB David Pittman.
Northwestern State Demons
Depth Chart as of 8/29/11
OFFENSE (Multiple)
WR - 5 Phillip Harvey (5-7, 155, Jr.-2L), 16 Trevor Goodie (5-11, 188, So.-1L)
IWR - 11 T.C. Henry (6-1, 185, Sr.-1L), 8 Clifton Brown (6-1, 175, Jr.-TR)
WR - 17 Louis Hollier (6-1, 203, So.-1L), 84 Johvan Jilbert (5-11, 163, Fr.-RS)
TE - 3 Justin Aldredge (6-1, 211, Sr.-3L), 83 Tucker Nims (6-3,267, So.-1L)
LT - 69 Blayne Cole (6-4, 259, So.-1L) or 65 Sherard Sorrells (6-4, 292, Sr.-1L)
LG - 67 Destry Hesskew (6-3, 270, Jr.-2L), 61 Caleb Stanfield (6-2, 289, So.-1L)
C - 77 Zach Case (6-2, 290, Sr.-3L), 73 John McLendon (6-2, 249, So.-1L)
RG - 76 Larry Calcote (6-4, 285, Jr.-2L), 75 Isaac Puapauga (6-1, 343, Jr.-TR)
RT - 79 Tchissakid Player (6-6, 282, So.-1L), 74 Jesse Hernandez (6-2, 285, Sr.-3L)
QB - 13 Paul Harris (6-1, 190, Jr.-2L), 10 Brad Henderson (5-11, 210, Jr.-TR)
FB – 25 Brant Legendre (5-11, 236, So.-1L), 33 Kyle Howard (6-1,256, Sr.-1L)
TB - 33 Sidney Riley (6-2, 220, Jr.-2L ), 28 D.J. Palmer (5-11, 187, So.-1L), 4 Rumeall Morris (5-11, 193, So.-1L) or 32 Sterling Endsley (5-10, 201, Sr.-3L)
DEFENSE (4-3-4)
LE - 92 Ricky Issac (6-4, 214, Sr.-3L ), 58 Keland Johnson (6-0, 249, Fr.-RS)
NT - 75 Quinn Anthony (6-2, 275, Jr.-2L), 99 Deon Simon (6-4, 310, Fr.-HS)
DT - 93 Lesley Deamer (6-3, 288, So.-1L), 95 Denzell Hawkins (6-5, 272, So.-1L), 96 Andrew Bletsch (6-2, 275, Fr.-HS)
RE - 87 Wade Williams (6-4, 231, Jr.-2L), 90 Mike Adams (6-1, 248, Sr.-1L), 54 Anthony Gilbert (6-4, 245, Jr.-2L)
OLB - 45 Lamont Simmons (6-1, 202, Sr.-3L), 43 Tyler Smith (5-10, 203, So.-1L)
MLB - 56 Derek Rose (5-11, 225, Jr.-2L), 55 Reggie Toomer (5-10, 211, Jr.-2L)
WLB - 51 Yaser Elqutub (6-1, 202, Sr.-2L), 7 Pat Black (6-0, 203, So.-1L), 52 Tyler Rousell (6-1, 203, Fr.-RS)
Nickel - 9 Cortez Paige (6-1, 180, Jr.-2L), 26 Phil LeBlanc (5-8, 173, Sr., 3L)
LCB - 19 Cashas Pollard (5-10, 184, Sr.-3L), 20 Ryan Sorrell (5-10, 182, Jr.-TR)
FS - 10 Bert White (5-10, 196, Jr.-SQ), 21 Brashard Booker (6-1, 173, Jr.-2L)
SS - 2 Jamaal White (6-0, 193, Jr.-2L), 14 Calvin Morton (6-0, 195, So.-1L)
RCB - 1 Jeremy Lane (6-0, 171, Sr.-3L), 24 Rico Albert (6-0, 172, Fr.-RS)
SPECIALISTS
K - 37 John Shaughnessy (5-11, 185, Jr.-2L), 35 Andy Wickman (6-3, 187, Fr.-HS)
P - 63 Nic Russo (6-1, 193, Jr.-2L), 35 Andy Wickman (6-3, 187, Fr.-HS)
S - 89 David Larsen (6-2, 196, Jr.-2L), 94 Justin Warner (6-1, 238, So.-TR)
H - 26 Phil LeBlanc (5-8, 173, Jr.-2L), 63 Nic Russo (6-1, 193, Jr.-2L)
KR - 5 Phillip Harvey (5-7, 155, Jr.-2L), 18 Kevin Shief (5-10, 168, So.-RS) , 2 Jamaal White (6-0, 193, Jr.-2L)
PR - 18 Kevin Shief (5-10, 168, So.-RS), 5 Phillip Harvey (5-7, 155, Jr.-2L)
