NATCHITOCHES -- Northwestern State has to put to rest its stumble out of the gate in the Southland Conference race, with an explosive Southeastern Louisiana squad incoming for the aptly-named Homecoming game for the Demons Saturday night at 6 in Turpin Stadium.

                NSU has been on the road for four of its first six games, traveling for more than 4,100 miles (the equivalent of a Natchitoches to Anchorage, Alaska journey). The Demons will play at home in Turpin Stadium for four of their last six games.

                None appears any more challenging than Saturday's matchup with Southeastern (4-2 overall, 1-0 in the Southland), which is averaging 35.5 points and 479.2 yards per game. Scoring on the Lions carries a threat, since they lead the FCS with a 30.4 kickoff return average fueled by Xavier Roberson, tops nationally at 38.3 per return this year, 36.7 for his career with 3 TDs.

                SLU thrashed visiting Stephen F. Austin 56-14 last Saturday night while Northwestern's second-half comeback fell short in a 33-21 loss at Nicholls.

                The Demons (3-3, 0-1) hope for their fourth straight Homecoming win.

                The Demons are hoping to post their third win in four seasons over the Lions and sixth in the most recent 10 meetings between the teams, since SLU resumed football in 2003. NSU  fell 27-22 at Strawberry Stadium last year, Ron Roberts' first as the Lions' coach. The Demons posted a 51-17 victory for homecoming 2011 in Turpin Stadium, the same season that started with Roberts' Delta State team leading 17-0 but falling 24-23 at NSU when a late two-point conversion pass didn't connect.

                Northwestern leads the series 29-27. The rivalry dates back to 1935 and has included conference games in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association/Louisiana Intercollegiate Conference, the Gulf State States Conference, the Gulf Star Conference and the Southland Conference.

                Triggering the Demon offense is junior quarterback Zach Adkins, who has thrown for 1,224 yards and eight touchdowns while completing 62 percent of his passes. Top receivers are true freshman Shakeir Ryan (25-209, 2 TDs), converted cornerback and sophomore Ed Eagan (22-226, 1 TD), junior college transfer Bryant Mitchell (16-172) and senior Louis Hollier (12-221, team-best 3 TDs).

                Five feature backs provide the run game, led by junior college transfer Garrett Atzenweiler (35-223, 6.4 yards per carry, 3 TDs) and sophomore Daniel Taylor (32-214, 6.7 ypc, 3 TDs).

                Top tacklers are senior linebacker  Pat Black (58) and junior linebacker Tyler Roussel (51). Cornerback Fred Thomas has two interceptions.

                The Demons are perfect at home this year, smacking Southern 55-14 and blanking Langston 37-0. Four of their remaining six games are in Turpin Stadium. The Lions are 1-2 on the road, winning at Samford but falling at TCU and South Dakota State.