NATCHITOCHES – Tony Taylor, Northwestern State's all-time rushing leader, will be in the spotlight at Turpin Stadium Saturday afternoon as the Demon Great of the Game presented by Exchange Bank during the3 p.m. NSU contest against visiting Lamar.

As a redshirt freshman in 1998, Taylor launched an unforgettable college career as he helped NSU win the Southland Conference championship and reach the semifinals of the FCS playoffs.

Taylor, a Pineville product, was a three-year first-team All-Southland running back in 1998-2000, leading the league in rushing as a sophomore and junior before skipping his senior season, after graduating, to begin his pro career. His 3,997 rushing yards included 20 career 100-yard games and the single-season school mark of 1,507 yards in his All-America season of 2000, before he earned a Super Bowl ring with Tampa Bay.

He was also an outstanding triple jumper for the NSU track and field program and helped them win two conference championships.

His recognition during the first half of Saturday afternoon's game will follow on the heels of Brad Laird, the Demons' career passing king, being last week's Great of the Game.

Taylor and Laird's college coach, Sam Goodwin, was the Demon Great of the Game at homecoming on Oct. 19.

Dr. William Broussard, a two-time All-America center for Goodwin and a teammate of Taylor's in 1998 and 1999, was this year's first Demon Great of the Game. Butch Ballard, the All-Louisiana quarterback in 1974, was in the spotlight Sept. 28 against Langston.

The Demon Great of the Game, presented by Exchange Bank and Trust of Natchitoches, spotlights some of the most outstanding performers in the 105-year history of NSU football. Exchange Bank has been a key supporter of NSU Athletics throughout its long history as the oldest financial institution in Natchitoches.