LAKE CHARLES – Northwestern State football coach Jay Thomas wanted to dispel any mystery around a team that won four of its last six games after a tough start in 2015.

Thomas told assembled media Wednesday at Southland Conference Media Day that even though certain high-profile faces like receiver Ed Eagan and quarterback Stephen Rivers are gone, the Demons are more prepared for a quick start in 2016.

Senior offensive guard Terrance Boyd and senior defensive end JeMarcus Marshall are two of 20 seniors and 14 returning starters who are determined to bring NSU its first winning season under Thomas. NSU finished 6-6 twice in Thomas' tenure before a 4-7 mark in 2015.

"When you look at us, those 20 seniors are a true blessing for us," Thomas said. "We had a strong finish to our season (with the two losses in the last six games coming to the SLC's two playoff teams), and that helped us with a great recruiting class.

"We've had one of the best spring trainings since I've been here, particularly having more numbers on both lines of scrimmages. Our leadership has been outstanding, thanks in part to (Marshall and Boyd). I'm looking forward to getting this season started even more than any other year."

Marshall, a 6-foot-4 defensive end, led the way in NSU's midseason switch to a 3-4 defense, which resulted in holding three of the last four opponents under 30 points compared with none in the first seven contests.

"We're ready to see the fruits of our labor," said Marshall, who's also excited about having the same defensive coordinator (Daryl Daye) for the first time in his NSU career. "We are focused more on each day, and we've got to keep grinding each day to make sure our start is much better.

"Starting 0-5 is tough to come back from, but we're better now."

The Demons open the season Sept. 2 at Baylor before welcoming Incarnate Word for the home opening "White Out" on Sept. 8 in Turpin Stadium.

NSU's quarterback situation is further along than in the 2015 preseason with juniors J.D. Almond and Joel Blumenthal getting experience this past season to pair with a seasoned veteran in UL Lafayette senior transfer Brooks Haack.

"Last year at this time, we had more questions at QB," Thomas said. "We didn't have a starter in place, and that took time to develop. It had a lot to do with our start.

"But Haack got to play with us this spring, and both Blumenthal and Almond got needed development in games and in practice. Blumenthal is hard to keep off the field with 4.38 speed, but he's worked really hard to develop his passing skills. J.D. has improved as well. The addition of Haack with his experience certainly comes into play. Any one of those three is capable of running our offense, and we're in a lot better situation coming into this season than coming into last season."

Boyd, a second-team preseason All-Southland Conference pick who's made more starts (24) than any other current Demon, said familiarity under center is key for the offensive line and the entire team.

"It is very important because the biggest thing an offensive line and quarterback need to have between each other is faith," Boyd said. "He has to have faith that we'll protect him, and we have to have faith that the quarterback will do the right thing with the ball. That bond strengthens the longer we play with each other, and we have that trust in whoever comes in.

"(Starting better) also means to not jump ahead in a season like we did last year with the expectations we had coming in. We're more focused on today this season, then after the first day, we'll worry about that second day."

A strong running game anchored by seniors De'Mard Llorens and Chris Jones supplemented by a veteran receiving corps highlighted by seniors Shakeir Ryan and Tuff McClain should lead to an improvement in the 27.9 points per game average in 2015.

On defense, senior safeties Adam Jones and Darius Poullard key a secondary that often will play five guys on the field.

In addition to Marshall, nose tackle Isaiah Wheeler and end defensive end Dannie Harmon are capable of funneling opponents into the arms of linebackers Shawn Stephens, Ronald Perry and Peyton Guidry to form a more effective defense.

"The defensive adjustments we made put our guys in a better position to be more productive," Thomas said. "Our open date came at the right time to flip our season around.
"We don't want to play catchup in the last of the season again, but it was a big credit to our coaches and players to be able to make that transition."
Thomas referred again to leadership as a key to 2016 success, which Marshall and Boyd exemplify.

Boyd, a winner of NSU's Academic Trailblazer Award, credited increased focus and determination to his academic turnaround.

"I had a rough start in college, but I remember seeing that Trailblazer Award in the computer lab, and I said I was going to get that award," Boyd said. "It wasn't an overnight process, but it took a lot of extra hours in studying and tutoring.

"The fieldhouse is my second home, and my teammates joke all the time that I sleep there."

Marshall leads the football team's community service efforts, often volunteering his own time outside of a structured NSU program at the Natchitoches Boys and Girls Club.
"I love being around kids and coaching kids," Marshall said. "I love seeing kids learn and grow, and they call me Coach Marshall.

"This spring, my hometown of Monroe flooded, and we lost everything. Immediately, once I could get on the road, I went back and helped my family and friends. There was no other option for me. I couldn't sit in the comfort of my own home while watching my family and friends struggle."

Fans can watch the Southland Conference Football Preview, a two-hour show from the league's Football Media Day, tonight at 7 on ESPN3.

NSU was picked to finish sixth in the Southland Conference SID preseason poll and seventh in the coaches poll. Sam Houston was tabbed as the league favorite followed by a consensus selection of McNeese, Central Arkansas, Lamar and Stephen F. Austin following the Bearkats.