NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State football coach Jay Thomas says, with no apparent lack of sincerity, that the best Southland Conference contest this season might be the Sam Houston State offense against the SHSU defense.
 
"It's easy to see why they're unbeaten and No. 1 in the country," he said. "They have great players, excellent coaching, and they have been extremely good week after week."
 
While the Bearkats (9-0 overall, 7-0 in the Southland) are unbeaten, they're not unbeatable, even for the struggling Demons (1-8, 0-7), said Thomas. NSU hosts Sam Houston Saturday night at 6 in Turpin Stadium in the final home appearance for 21 Demon seniors, who will be introduced in a 5:30 ceremony on the field.
 
"Do we have a chance? Absolutely. Hey, it's a football game and anything can happen if things fall just right," he said. "We've got good players who are giving it everything they've got. We've had a great week of practice. We're excited about the chance to play No. 1."
 
It's the first shot this century for NSU at a top-ranked opponent. The Demons are 2-1 against No. 1-ranked FCS teams, with the matchups coming in 1988, 1995 and 1998 under retired coach Sam Goodwin.
 
History has little, if anything, to do with Saturday night's outcome, however. But it was just two years ago that Thomas' second Demon squad defended the Turpin turf with a 31-27 upset of then 24^th-ranked Sam Houston. The Bearkats exacted revenge in Huntsville, Texas, last season, pulling away after halftime for a 59-21 victory, rolling up 668 yards.
 
Saturday night's game will be carried on ESPN3 with NSU alumnus Lyn Rollins and Rene' Nadeau calling the action.
 
The Demon Sports Network radio broadcast originates at 100.7 KZBL FM in Natchitoches, with affiliate stations News Radio 710 in Shreveport, 105.5 FM KBUCK of Alexandria and 103.1 KWLA serving Many and Leesville. Veteran announcer Patrick Netherton heads the crew handling the play by play, with analyst Richard deVargas in the booth and sideline reporter Tony Taglavore providing reports and on-field interviews at halftime and after the game. Their broadcast starts at 5:30.
 
Last weekend, the Bearkats raced to a 28-3 lead at home and held off McNeese 56-43, posting 630 total yards. The injury-riddled Demons couldn't stem a comeback by Abilene Christian and fell 25-22 in west Texas.
 
Sam Houston averages 54 points, 596 yards and a 27-point margin of victory. The Bearkats have given up 425 yards per game.
 
Northwestern's offense got a spark last week from junior quarterback J.D. Almond, who got his first start of the season and fourth in his career. Almond completed 10 consecutive passes in the first quarter, the fifth-best string of completions in school history, and finished 22 of 33 for 225 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

NSU's most productive receiver is senior Shakeir Ryan, who leads the team with 29 catches, and is second in school history with 137 career receptions. Senior Tuff McClain, with 94 in his career, needs one to break into the Demons' all-time top 10.
 
Senior running back De'Mard Llorens leads the Southland with a 96.8 rushing average in league games. He is 80 yards away from joining NSU's career rushing top 10.

Defensive leaders are three juniors: linebacker Nick Pierotti (73 tackles), safety Austin Balthazor (63) and linebacker Koby Welch (51), along with senior safety Adam Jones (48) and senior defensive end JeMarcus Marshall (38).
 
Another senior end, Darrien Batiste, said the Demons are undaunted at the challenge of facing the unbeaten Bearkats and are not wilting despite the frustrating season, which has seen three conference losses by a combined seven points with three others tied in the second half.
 
"We all fight for each other. We fight for the great coaches, the great teammates, we all fight every day for each other. You hear pressure busts pipes and makes diamonds, well, we're trying to make diamonds," said the Dutchtown High product. "And we're close.
 
"Our record says 1-8, but our attitude, our play, and our competitiveness in every game doesn't reflect that. We have two more chances to win and we believe in each other. We're a band of brothers, playing our hearts out, giving everything we have."
 
NSU wraps up the season next Saturday afternoon at Stephen F. Austin.