NATCHITOCHES – After three straight games on the road and a much-needed open week, Northwestern State returns to Turpin Stadium on Saturday night for Homecoming against East Texas A&M.
 
The Demons (1-3) enter their Southland Conference opener against an East Texas A&M (0-4) team with a nearly identical résumé. The Lions, like NSU, played back-to-back Power Four opponents during the non-conference schedule, two of just the three FCS teams in the country that can make that claim.
 
"They are a talented team and have the ability to make an explosive play at any time," head coach Blaine McCorkle said. "They've played a couple of quarterbacks but either of them have the ability to make plays with a big shot or their legs. We need to be on our game and have our eyes where they need to be. 
 
"They came over here last year 0-5 and ran us out of the stadium. They're coming in this year 0-4 with a very similar non-conference schedule as us. I think it'll be a good matchup and another chance to see how much we've grown in a year."
 
Kickoff for the culmination of Northwestern's 2025 Homecoming celebration is set for 6 p.m. and will air on ESPN+. Live audio can also be heard on 100.7 KZBL in Natchitoches and through www.nsudemons.com.
 
Quarterback Abram Johnston, who is coming off one of the all-around performances in his young career against Prairie View A&M two weeks ago, said the bye week has given the team a fresh start – and the Homecoming stage only amplifies the energy.
 
"To me it almost feels like the first game of the year," he said. "Coming off a bye and having two weeks to prepare for this team and not being home, I'm giddy. I'm ready to play at home again. And everybody's feeling that.
 
"We're 0-0 right now in conference so in a lot of ways it feels like week one. We know how big of a game this is and how important it is for the rest of the season. Not to put pressure on us but we know what we expect to do and how important it is."
 
For McCorkle, the challenge is less about the hype and pageantry of the game and more about execution by his team. The Demons are looking for consistent complementary football, something that cost them on the road in the three-point loss to an improving Prairie View team.
 
"We've talked a lot and said a lot, you either lose or you learn. So what are the lessons we're going to learn from that game?" McCorkle said. "I can see us being in a very similar type game this week against East Texas A&M. This could be another four-quarter game if we handle our business. Hopefully we've learned those lessons and complement each other a little bit better in all three phases to get us over the hump."
 
Defensive lineman Preston Hickey said those lessons along with the added layer of motivation for who they're playing for makes Saturday's game even more meaningful.
 
"It's about going out there and playing for our fans, families and all of us," Hickey said. "We've had some tough games here in the past but I feel like they've helped mold us for what's to come and we've gained a lot from them. East Texas is a good team with a lot of good play makers and I'm looking forward to the matchup."
 
With a 37-day span between games at Turpin Stadium coming to a close and the natural buzz around the annual Homecoming game and festivites, McCorkle expects the atmosphere in Natchitoches to be electric.
 
"There'll be a lot of juice here on Saturday night," McCorkle said. "Turpin Stadium is a great place to play. It's a great atmosphere. Lights will be on. It's Homecoming. The band is ready to be back in the stadium just as much as we are. Expecting a good crowd and a good game on a beautiful night for football. Our guys are excited about it. It's been a long time since we've been home and we like being here in Turpin for sure."