HOUSTON – As Northwestern State heads back on the road, this time for its first Southland Conference road game, the process of growth continues — one challenge, one lesson and one Saturday at a time.
 
Head coach Blaine McCorkle has been clear about the vision for his team since day one – build the program the right way, without shortcuts. That approach comes with inevitable growing pains, something the Demons experienced in last week's game against East Texas A&M.
 
"We've said it before that we want to win, and we want to win now," McCorkle said. "Every game we go out there trying with every fiber of our being to win the football game and put our kids in the best position. 
 
"But we are in the unique situation that we didn't have to quick fix it. With that there are going to be growing pains. We felt some of that the other day. Waiting is hard. But you have to wait well because if you don't you'll start taking steps back, and we're not going to do that. We got outmatched the other night, made some mistakes that young teams make and we paid for it. But we will grow from that."
 
While back on the road for the fourth time in the past six weeks, the Demons (1-4, 0-1 SLC) are headed back to a somewhat familiar setting this weekend when they face HCU (1-4, 0-1). The matchup at Husky Stadium, set for a 6 p.m. kickoff on ESPN+ this Saturday night, marks a return to where several young Demons saw action late last season. 
 
It is the first repeat trip and location for McCorkle's team in his second year. That familiarity, he hopes, translates into sharper execution and composure.
 
"Playing at HCU is a familiar place for a lot of our guys," McCorkle said. "They've been there, they've gone through the travel, the environment and the routine. I think that comfort level can help us take a more focused approach this week."
 
There exists an even greater bit of familiarity for offensive lineman Logan Brady, one of a handful of Houston-native Demons on the roster, and one of the young players that saw action at Husky stadium a year ago.
 
"It's really special to be able to go back home and play college football at this level," Brady said. "To go play in front of my family and friends — that's something you dream about. Last year down there we didn't get the win, so hopefully we can come back and get that done. The bus ride back will be much sweeter if we can do that."
 
Brady helps anchor an offensive line that is still learning and growing together every day, a group whose chemistry continues to strengthen week by week.
 
"I love those guys on the line to death," Brady said. "Garrett (Morphis) at left tackle and me at guard have a lot of communication to do. And Caleb (Billiot) runs the offensive line. The call that he has, we go with it. We really have an unbreakable bond and are getting closer every day."
 
That unity will be tested against an HCU defense that ranks among the best in the nation. The Huskies lead the Southland Conference with seven interceptions, ranking fourth nationally in that category, and sit 19th in total defense at 318.2 yards per game.
 
"They do a great job with their pass defense," McCorkle said. "They've got some good-looking athletes back there and they can go get the ball. So we have to be really crisp and sharp, and Abram (Johnston) is going to have to do a good job of reading the defense. A big part of throwing the ball well is the offensive line giving him time to see and prevent rushed throws. If we can be simple, sound and fast, hopefully we can negate some of that."
 
The Demons were able to do just that on the scoring drive just before the half, with the line giving Johnston time to complete passes down the field and produce a handful of "explosive" plays. But after several near-misses on other drives, finding those momentum plays at key moments remains a focus for the Demons.
 
"Definitely would like to find a few more and we have to get them at the right time," McCorkle said. "It's not our lack of production — it's production when it's really needed. For instance, last week we had a huge opening kickoff return but ended up missing a field goal after a penalty. We blocked a punt and got the ball down inside the five but had some missed assignments in the pass game and came up empty again. So we have to find those explosives and momentum plays at the right times."
 
Explosive plays have not been limited to just the offensive side of the ball. Northwestern State's five interceptions this season are its most through the first five games of a season since 2018. It was Fernando Washington's his first pick as a Demon that set up the two-minute drill that ended in a 30-yard Cooper Evans field goal before halftime.
 
That complementary play — offense feeding off defense and special teams — is what McCorkle wants to see more consistently this week, and the rest of the season.
 
"We've got to capitalize on those things," McCorkle said. "As we continue to grow and learn, the good thing is those things are fixable. I think we can do that."
 
Growth is in the little things and doing them well. Defensive back Troy Santa Marina Jr. said that's where it starts and that is where the focus lay heading into another Saturday in the Southland.
 
"We have to stay detailed in all things," Santa Marina said. "Execute what we need to execute more so than worrying about exactly what they are doing. If we can do that and play a little more aggressive, in terms of fitting up with the run and playing tighter in coverage, then things will work out well."