NATCHITOCHES -- The Northwestern State football team is eager for redemption as the Demons approach their home opener against Grambling Saturday at 6 p.m. in Turpin Stadium.
 
The Demons are aiming for an improved performance after last week's debut and are trying to avenge a 23-10 loss at Grambling early last season.
 
Both teams sustained lopsided season-opening defeats on the road last week against FBS foes. NSU played competitively into the second quarter before Texas A&M took command on the way to a 59-7 decision last Thursday night in College Station, while Grambling posted a quick 3-0 lead but trailed 35-10 at halftime in a 49-17 loss at UL-Lafayette.
 
"It's an opportunity to come back home, to play in front of our fans in Turpin Stadium, in a great matchup with a natural rival," NSU head coach Brad Laird said. "The community does such a great job of coming out and supporting our young men. It will be an exciting Saturday night come 6 o'clock against Grambling."
 
The Tigers are led by Broderick Fobbs, who coached at Northwestern State from 2002-06 prior to taking over at his alma mater in 2014. During his time with the Demons, he coached with Laird, then the Demons' defensive coordinator.
 
"Our paths are very similar. We both grew up around football, with fathers who were coaches. We were both graduate assistants and then had the opportunity to work together here," said Laird. "You knew then, the way he handled the players and the knowledge he had of the game, that probably one of his goals was to coach at his alma mater. Fast forward to right now, it is pretty ironic that we are in the situation we are.
 
"His football team is well-coached. They are going to play hard. They are 22-3 in the last two years with two SWAC championships. The success he has had there since he started four years ago, it's not surprising based on what I saw when we were assistants together that has carried that on to where he is now."
 
Despite having only 81 miles separating the two schools, this is only the fifth football meeting between them, with Grambling holding a 3-1 series edge, including last year's victory at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium. After meeting in 1974, the two schools didn't meet again until 2008 when NSU earned its only win against the Tigers at Turpin Stadium.
 
The Demons had some bright spots at Texas A&M, led by junior wide receiver Jazz Ferguson with 129 yards receiving on four catches, including a 71-yarder from Clay Holgorsen for NSU's only touchdown.
 
Before the game in College Station, there was much talk about who would start the opener. Junior quarterback Shelton Eppler started, but both he and Holgorsen played extensively. Each quarterback completed nine passes, with Eppler going 9-of-16 for 105 yards and Holgorsen  9-of-19 for 125 yards.
 
It was the first time since 2006 two NSU quarterbacks threw for over 100 yards in the same game. Each quarterback is expected to play once again Saturday.
 
"Both of those guys have continued to earn the right to play," Laird said. "It was very identical if you really go back and evaluate those two. They didn't turn the ball over. They made good decisions. They didn't take a sack. They both completed a deep throw. So they have both earned the right to continue to play."
 
In last year's meeting, the Demons fell behind 10-0 in the first quarter, but cut it to 10-7 early in the second on a J.D. Almond 14-yard pass to Marquis Chapman. That would be all the noise they would make as Grambling's defense held NSU to 283 yards of offense, including 42 rushing yards on 30 carries.
 
"We have to start fast. You reflect back to last year against them," Laird said. "They started fast at home. That kind of took them all the way through the game. It is important for us to start fast."
 
After gaining just 25 yards on 13 attempts against Texas A&M, the Demons will try to get the ground game going this week against the Tigers.
 
Four players had at least three catches for Northwestern State against Texas A&M, but only Ferguson had a catch of more than 12 yards. The Demons are aiming for more explosive plays against a formidable Tigers defense including SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year De'Arius Christmas, a linebacker who is one of five first-team Preseason All-SWAC picks from the Grambling defense. Four more Tiger defenders made the Preseason All-SWAC second team.
 
The "Purple Swarm" defense forced one turnover against Texas A&M and registered two sacks. With the fumble recovery, the Demons had an opportunity to bust out the Turnover Trident for defensive end Desmond Prejean.
 
Junior Linebacker Blake Stephenson and Quindarrius Whitley each made eight tackles, while junior safety Kevin Ratliff had seven for NSU. Zak Krolczyk, Braylon Daigle, Isaiah Longino, Ryan Reed and Hayden Bourgeois each posted six stops, with Stephenson and D'Ronne Littleton recording sacks.
 
Punter Parker Pastorello averaged 42.1 yards on nine punts, downing four inside the 20.
 
The Demon Sports Network broadcast team of Patrick Netherton and Tony Taglavore will call the game, starting with a 30-minute pregame show at 5:30. 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 and pay-per-view video is available at NSUDemons.com.
 
Next week, the Demons go to Lamar to open their Southland Conference slate. Their next home game will be Oct. 6 when they welcome Nicholls to Turpin Stadium.