NATCHITOCHES – A quick glance at Southland Conference football statistics reveals a compelling matchup set for Saturday evening in Turpin Stadium when Northwestern State hosts nationally-ranked Sam Houston State.
 
The Demons have the Southland's top passing attack overall, with a 329-yard average. The Bearkats are best in the 11-team conference in pass defense, allowing 189 yards per game.
 
NSU's overall total offense rate (426 yards) is fourth in the league while SHSU is third in total defense, giving up 378 yards per game.
 
While both teams' numbers include a pair of non-conference battles, the 41^st matchup in a series dating to 1929 does shape up as probably the most compelling since the Demons pulled a 31-27 upset of the then-24^th ranked Bearkats on Oct. 18, 2014 in Turpin Stadium.
 
Since then, Sam Houston has registered at least 40 points in the last three meetings, winning two convincingly in 2015-16 before having to rally past NSU 40-36 last year in Huntsville, Texas.
 
Demons' senior guard Frank Boudreaux, who will start his team-high 26^th game at NSU on Saturday, understands that NSU (2-3 overall, 1-2 in the Southland) will face the most successful team in the Southland this decade when Sam Houston (3-2, 2-1) visits for the 6:07 p.m. contest at Turpin Stadium.
 
"They've been the best in the conference for a while," said Boudreaux, who already has his undergraduate degree from NSU. "They know how to win. They've been doing it for about 10 years now. They have some great players and great coaches, and it's going to be a challenge, but if we play like we can play, I don't think there's any reason we can't play with those guys."
 
The Bearkats are ranked 14^th in the FCS coaches poll and 15^th in the STATS LLC media poll. Beginning in 2011, they have won four Southland titles, the last in 2016, and made seven straight playoff appearances.
 
"Within this conference, and nationally, they've done a lot that's very impressive over those seven seasons," said NSU head coach Brad Laird. "They're bringing a top 15-ranked team in here, one that has some different players and different approaches in some respects than they have had, but they've responded since losing two straight last month, and they've done a great job doing things to be successful in the last two weeks.
 
"They have two of the most dynamic receivers in the country, a very highly regarded young quarterback, and a defense that has three veterans back in the secondary and two more at linebacker," said Laird. "It's another quality team in our conference and you've got to be sure you're ready to play come Saturday night."
 
NSU went through its normal Thursday afternoon workout. Laird was pleased that the weather forecast Saturday is very favorable.
 
"I'm not a meteorologist but lately we've all had to keep a careful watch on the weather on game day," he said. "Our fans were great last week, sticking with us through the deluge Saturday afternoon and getting into the stadium Saturday night. It looks like Saturday evening is going to be ideal football weather and we're going to aim to play a great Southland Conference football game."