ABILENE, Texas—After Northwestern State's football team pulled off its second biggest comeback in school history, coming back from 18 down to win last week, the Demons are carrying momentum into a Saturday afternoon visit to Abilene Christian.

NSU and ACU kick off at 2 o'clock in a Southland Conference game at Wildcat Stadium. It's the only day game of the 2018 season for the Demons, who wrap up their home season next Saturday night at 6 in Turpin Stadium against old rival McNeese.

Last Saturday, the Demons (3-5 overall, 2-4 Southland Conference) rebounded from a 28-10 third quarter deficit to defeat Houston Baptist 31-28 on Homecoming. Junior wide receiver Jazz Ferguson capped the comeback with a touchdown on a jump ball from sophomore quarterback Kaleb Fletcher with 4:12 remaining.

The only bigger rally in NSU's Division I football history, beginning in 1977, came in 2005 when the Demons overcame a 23-0 UL Monroe lead on the road for a 27-23 season-opening triumph, scoring all their points in the final 17 minutes.

Last Saturday, following a string of second-half shortfalls in losses to Southeastern Louisiana, Nicholls and Sam Houston State, the Demons scored three touchdowns and got three key defensive stops, including a fourth-and-1 stonewall at the NSU 20 and a Malik Sonnier interception at the NSU 21, in the game's final 19 minutes.

"One of the things we've talked about is being able to finish," NSU head coach Brad Laird said. "I was proud of them. It was great to see their faces at the end of the game when we've struggled the last four weeks to get over the hump."

Abilene Christian (4-4, 3-3) has taken a similar path to NSU this season. ACU lost on the road against an FBS team (Baylor), but then rebounded to win its next two. After three straight losses, ACU pulled off an upset, winning 28-12 over then-No. 11 Nicholls before a convincing road victory against Southeastern Louisiana 48-27 two weeks ago. The Wildcats were off last Saturday.

"Abilene is a very improved football team," Laird said. "(Head) Coach (Adam) Dorrel has come in (second year at ACU) and done a great job. Their team revolves around (quarterback Luke) Anthony. Last year against us was his first start and you've seen him really progress."

Ferguson continued his climb up the NSU record books. After his 90-yard and two touchdown performance, the junior LSU transfer moved past Victor Oatis (1982) and Pat Palmer (1996) into third place for most receiving yards in a single season in Demon history. The junior is 92 yards behind Nathan Black (944 in 2001) for No. 1 on the list.

Ferguson's 48 receptions on the season move him to a tie for sixth in a single season in school history. Ferguson also tied Palmer (1996) for third in touchdown receptions in a season with eight. He is two behind Al Phillips (1968) for the top spot.

In last year's meeting, 2017 senior Eric Piccione booted a 39-yard field goal, his third of the day, to give the Demons a 26-23 overtime victory. ACU's Nik Grau had a chance to send the game into a second overtime, but his 34-yard field goal sailed wide right and the Demons emerged victorious.

Saturday, Fletcher, a sophomore, will get his first career start and will become the fourth different starting quarterback in as many weeks for the Demons.

Coming off the bench against HBU, Fletcher went 30-for-44 for 253 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 67 more. Among those rushing was a monster 3-yard run on third-and-3 late in the game for a clinching first down after he led two straight long scoring drives to push NSU ahead.

Sophomore Kenny Sears started last week and went 4-of-5 for 66 yards and a touchdown. With that touchdown pass, Northwestern State became the only team among 253 in Division I (FBS and FCS) to have four quarterbacks throw at least one touchdown pass on the year. The combined 34 completions broke the record for most team completions in a game (31).

"There was definitely a lot of excitement getting my first start," Sears said. "It's a humbling experience and I was honored to be able to start the Homecoming game for Northwestern State. Obviously there were a few butterflies, but after that first series, I settled in and felt good."

Eight receivers caught passes against HBU. Watson had a season-best 96 yards receiving to go along with a career-high two scores. His two receiving touchdowns in the game gave him 10 for his Demon career, which moved him into a tie for sixth in school history.

With both Ferguson and Watson catching two touchdowns last week, they became the first pair of teammates to each catch two touchdowns in the same game in NSU history.

The Purple Swarm forced three more turnovers, and are top 10 in the FCS in both passes intercepted and fumbles recovered. The Demons lead the Southland and are tied for sixth in turnover differential at plus-11.

"This comeback showed our character as a team," senior cornerback Rashaun Croney said. "We're not going to lay down. We're going to play the whole game and we played every play like it's our last play."

Senior defensive end Obi Iheoma leads the team in sacks with four and junior defensive tackle O'Shea Jackson tops NSU with seven tackles for loss. Sophomore safety Hayden Bourgeois paces the conference and is tied for third nationally in interceptions with five.

Junior linebacker Quindarrius Whitley continues to lead the Demons in tackles with 62. Bourgeois is second in that category with 58 and junior safety Ryan Reed has 48.

Senior cornerback Dylan Wilson makes his return this week after missing the last seven with a broken hand. He'll be able to play the last three and not lose a year of eligibility due to the new redshirt rule which lets players play four games without losing a year.

For the Wildcats, Anthony has been terrific in his sophomore season after getting his first career start at NSU last year. He is eighth in the country in passing yards per game (285.9) with 18 touchdowns and just five interceptions. His 18 passing touchdowns is tied for 12^th in the FCS.

ACU has two impressive running backs, led by California transfer Billy McCrary. He has 702 yards on the ground this season with seven touchdowns and an impressive 9.2 yards per carry. Tracy James has gained 558 yards and four touchdowns. The Wildcats' 179 rush yards per game is third in the Southland.

Defensively, linebacker Jeremiah Chambers has 11 tackles for loss and defensive backs Adonis Davis and Koy Richardson have three interceptions apiece, tied for second in the Southland. Davis has 12 passes defensed on the season, which leads the Southland and is sixth in the FCS.

The Demon Sports Network broadcast team of Patrick Netherton and Tony Taglavore will call the game, starting with a 30-minute pregame show at 1:30. The network flagship station is 100.7 FM KZBL in Natchitoches with 101-7 FM and 710 KEEL AM in Shreveport, KBUCK 105.5 FM in Alexandria and 103.1 FM KWLA in Leesville-Many as affiliates. Free audio is available at NSUDemons.com.

The Demon Sports Network broadcast stream is also available anywhere on the new Northwestern State athletics app. The free app, which is available for both Apple and Android devices, houses news, videos, schedules and in-app streaming for Northwestern State athletic events.

Saturday's game will not be on live television, but can be streamed through the ACU website (ACUSports.com) for $9.95.

Next Saturday is Senior NIght as the Demons play McNeese at Turpin Stadium in the last home game of the year.