NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State football coach Jay Thomas named graduate transfer Brooks Haack as the Demons' starting quarterback Thursday, before persistent lightning postponed an evening mock game in Turpin Stadium.

At 2 p.m. Friday, NSU will stage the workout, which replicates the team's game procedures and presents "the whole kitchen sink" of potential in-game competitive scenarios, said Thomas.

The mock game will begin the Demons' game-week preparations for next Friday evening's visit to Baylor.

Haack, who transferred before the spring semester from UL Lafayette, won the competition with junior Joel Blumenthal for NSU's starting quarterback role, although Thomas said the Demons will use Blumenthal at Baylor and going forward.

Haack's experience with the Ragin' Cajuns over three seasons helped him earn the right to start, said Thomas.

"It's a body of work. It's being consistent every day in practice, and this started back in the spring. The more he got comfortable with the playbook, the better he's been able to play.

"He had the advantage of starting eight times last year and playing in 20-something games at UL Lafayette, but he's done a fantastic job. We really like our situation at quarterback," said Thomas.

"Joel Blumenthal could step in at any moment. He's made a lot of progress, particularly in the passing game. His 4.38 speed (in the 40-yard dash) makes him a threat to go the distance on any play, as we saw last season, and he's a heck of a competitor, and a leader," said Thomas.

A third contender, junior J.D. Almond, has missed virtually all of preseason with a nasty case of poison ivy. He has finally be able to return to practice and Thomas said the Demons plan to work him into some game action as soon as possible.

"J.D. did a good job for us last season in his first chance to get on the field, and he knows what he's doing, so we're hopeful he can be ready to go pretty quickly," said Thomas.

Redshirt freshman Austin Skinner might be a year away from contending for playing time, while true freshman Kenny Sears is targeted for a redshirt season.