SAN ANTONIO – Northwestern State is hoping to start the second month of the season with a stand inspired by the Alamo.
 
Preparing for Saturday's 2 p.m. Southland Conference game at Incarnate Word, the Demon football team visited the iconic San Antonio site Friday, with head coach Jay Thomas ensuring his players appreciate the heroic efforts in 1836 by a vastly outmanned group of defenders including Jim Bowie and Davey Crockett.
 
"We've started 0-4 and this is sort of our Alamo," said Thomas. "It's time for us to make a stand and turn the tide."
 
NSU is 0-2 in Southland play with losses to defending two-time champion Southeastern Louisiana and Central Arkansas. UIW (2-2 overall) opened league action with a 43-6 defeat at McNeese, but rebounded with a homefield 20-10 victory over Nicholls. Last week the Cardinals threatened UTEP before falling 27-17 in a non-conference contest in El Paso.
 
The game broadcast will be on the Demon Sports Network, flagshipped by 100.7 KZBL in Natchitoches and including 710 AM KEEL in Shreveport, 105.5 FM KBKK in Alexandria and 103.1 KWLA in Many/Leesville. The veteran team of Patrick Netherton and Tony Taglavore will call the game. A free audio stream is available through NSUDemons.com and free streaming video will be at UIWCardinals.com.
 
Facing a stout schedule in September – NSU's four foes were a combined 35-17 last season – the Demons aren't discouraged despite the winless start.
 
"I give a lot of credit to our guys. They're very resilient. Practice has been really good this week again, and that's a credit to our team and the leadership we have," said Thomas. "Leaders stand out in tough times. Nobody has enjoyed the first month of our season, but our guys are staying the course and putting in the work every day to get better."
 
Improving the Demons' defense is the biggest area of emphasis. NSU has been hit for averages of 542 yards and 47 points so far, with opponents converting 29 explosive plays of 20 yards or longer, accounting for half of the yards allowed and nine scoring plays, three last week.
 
"You see a lot of positives out there play after play, and we just have to reduce the times we have major breakdowns that provide the opportunities for quality opponents to take advantage. We're getting better and hopefully we can take our biggest steps forward this week," said Thomas.
 
The Cardinals, who were beaten 49-12 last year at NSU in the first-ever meeting between the teams, are vastly improved, said Thomas.
 
"UIW presents a lot of challenges for us and everybody else in the conference," he said. "Their defense has been really strong. Offensively they have a very talented quarterback, a big and strong offensive line, a lot of weapons, and they have one of the better kickers and punters in the entire country."