NATCHITOCHES – Facing the most daunting stretch of its schedule, the Northwestern State football team isn't wilting under the pressure.
 
The Demons just haven't found a way yet to play well enough to overcome the combination of their own mistakes and formidable opposition.
 
Playing the second of three straight nationally-ranked Southland Conference opponents Saturday night, the Demons roared back from a two-touchdown deficit into a halftime lead before No. 14/15 Sam Houston State took control in a 42-28 decision over NSU at Turpin Stadium.
 
Northwestern (2-4 overall, 1-3 in the Southland Conference) suffered two turnovers inside the Bearkats' 10 to halt series that could have expanded what turned out to be a 28-23 halftime advantage.
 
"We made mistakes and give Sam Houston credit, they made some plays to win the game," said Demons' head coach Brad Laird on Sunday.
 
"To be down 14-0 after the first quarter, to a top 15-ranked team that's won four of the last seven conference championships, and to score three straight touchdowns to make it 21-14, was awesome.
 
"We're finding out about our football team. Last night after the first quarter, I found out about our guys having their backs against the wall," said Laird. "They fought to get out and gave themselves chances to win in the fourth quarter. Again, we showed we will battle."
 
While NSU fought throughout, the Demons were not nearly as effective in the final two quarters, when the Bearkats posted 336 offensive yards and held NSU to 154.
 
"We just didn't get it done in the second half. We weren't good enough on third downs on both sides of the ball. We were 4-7 in the first half offensively, and in the second half, we were 2-8. Defensively, Sam Houston converted some third downs that hurt, and hit some big plays. Getting out of gaps, being out of alignment, they were able to wear on us," said Laird.
 
But while there was plenty of frustration late Saturday night lingering into Sunday's team meetings, there was ample determination, he said.
 
"We're going to keep fighting. This team's too close to success," said Laird. "We've lost three in a row. That's a fact. We're too close to winning against good football teams. The last thing we're going to do is turn and go the other way."
 
The Demons will be going north next, playing their seventh contest of 2018 at another ranked league foe, No. 16/18 Central Arkansas (4-2, 3-1), which won 27-17 Saturday at Stephen F. Austin.
 
"Look forward to it," said Laird. "We get the opportunity again, this time on the road. Central Arkansas has been very good consistently over the past several years, and where they are is where we want to get to. We get an opportunity to gauge who we are coming off three losses."