NATCHITOCHES – Usually four turnovers and a program record-tying 21 penalties doesn't equal victory.

But Northwestern State had enough offensive firepower and timely defense Saturday to shrug off its mistakes to top Lamar 35-28 at Turpin Stadium in its home opener.

The Demons (1-2, 1-0 Southland Conference) started dancing as the clock read zeroes, heartily celebrating its first victory over a Division I team since the 2015 finale against Stephen F. Austin.

"It's been a long time," said a smiling Jay Thomas. "I'm proud of these guys continuing to fight. We had great fans and great support on a great night.

"We had four turnovers and a lot of penalties, but we found a way."

That way started with a defense that held when called upon.

Junior cornerback Ike Warren intercepted Lamar quarterback Darrel Colbert, Jr. to finally put a stop to Lamar's comeback, ending the Cardinals' final drive in Demon territory with 49 seconds left.

Warren didn't play in the 2016 loss at Lamar in which the Cardinals (1-2) scored two touchdowns in the last two minutes, and he said he's going to savor the taste of victory.

"I came through when the team needed me, but it's not about me," Warren said. "The defense put pressure on (Colbert), forcing him to roll out.

"I do feel a sense of revenge from the (2016 loss). We'll celebrate this one, but we'll be ready to study film on the bye week to get ready for Southeastern (on Sept. 30)."

NSU sacked Colbert five times with a career-high 2.5 sacks from junior college transfer Obinna Iheoma.

Defensive pressure helped NSU hold Lamar to 5-of-16 on third down and just 1-of-4 on fourth down.

"We had a great week of practice, and we got a lot of energy from the crowd tonight," said Iheoma of a crowd that tallied 11,125 in NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio's first home football game in his tenure. "This defense came with a dog mentality, and we weren't about to quit."

Sophomore running back Jared West scored a career-high three rushing touchdowns as NSU rolled up 194 rushing yards. West gained 75 yards on 18 carries. Senior running back Chris Jones had his second career 100-yard rushing game with 100 yards on 25 carries.

West scored NSU's first two touchdowns on runs of two and three yards to hand NSU a 14-7 lead. NSU converted all four red zone chances for touchdowns, something the Demons struggled with in its first two losses.

NSU's second touchdown occurred despite two 15-yard penalties as the Demons amassed 21 penalties for 183 yards. The 21 penalties tied the 1964 mark against Ouachita Baptist.

Lamar's Kendrick King sandwiched a 48-yard touchdown run between West's scores for the Cardinals' first points. King rushed for 120 yards to lead Lamar's rushing attack, which gained 229.

NSU continued to pile on with a J.D. Almond 25-yard pass to Jaylen Watson for a 21-7 edge with 14:16 left in the second quarter. Almond threw for 195 yards on 14-of-26 passing with two interceptions.

After a dominating early start, Northwestern State faced familiar adversity after two fumbles led to Lamar touchdowns to tie the score in the third quarter.

Lamar's Davon Jernigan returned a West fumble for a 69-yard touchdown with just 10 seconds left in the first half to cut NSU's advantage to 21-14.

The Cardinals tied the game on a Case Robinson 20-yard touchdown from Colbert on the first possession of the third quarter.

But NSU responded with a pair of touchdowns to grab a 35-21 lead early in the fourth quarter.

West had his third touchdown on a 1-yard run following an Almond fake field goal run to convert a fourth down.

Almond scored two possessions later with a 7-yard touchdown run, capping a 24-yard rushing performance. This score came after Lamar accidentally kneeled on a punt because of a bad snap.

Lamar scored 21 points off four NSU turnovers, and the Cardinals cut NSU's lead to 35-28 on a Colbert 9-yard run after one of Almond's two interceptions.

Colbert rushed for 92 yards despite five sacks, adding to his 136 passing yards 15-of-28 with one interception.

But NSU's defense stood strong, helping the Demons to a win in their Southland Conference opener.

After a bye week, NSU hosts Southeastern on Sept. 30.