LAKE CHARLES – Northwestern State continues its path through a season built on growth and young talent on Saturday with another chance to measure that progress on one of the Southland Conference's proudest stages.
 
For the first time since 2021, the Demons (1-7, 0-4) head back to Lake Charles, meeting rival McNeese (2-6, 1-3) under the lights with a 6 p.m. at Navarre Stadium, with coverage on ESPN+ and 100.7 FM KZBL in Natchitoches.
 
The Demons enter the meeting coming off a hard-fought battle with No. 15 Lamar, a night that again showed encouraging pieces of what this team is becoming. NSU went toe-to-toe with a conference title contender for three quarters, undone by a handful of first-half mistakes and a late surge from the Cardinals. Even in defeat, the flashes of explosiveness on both sides of the ball continued to grow brighter.
 
"Our kids are resilient," second-year head coach Blaine McCorkle said. "They're a really unique group in that they are young yes, but mature in their youth. I think they understand the big picture of our program and who we are, why we're where we are and where we're going. Every week they get excited to play. They recognize this is a rivalry week. McNeese has one of the best atmospheres in FCS football in a great venue."
 
McNeese returns home after a tough trip to Nicholls where the game swung on a pick-six and a clock-draining, 17-play that covered nearly the entire third quarter. The Colonels stretched the lead to 24-7 in the fourth quarter and sealed things with a deep strike, but McCorkle sees a Cowboys team capable of much more than the results have shown.
 
"They had a tough one at Nicholls last week where Nicholls kind of got away from them a little," McCorkle said. "But as I watched that game and followed those teams this year I think if they play 10 times they would go 5-5. Nicholls just got the best of them last week. We'll have our work cut out for us. Coach Viator is back there and putting a little juice back in the program."
 
Saturday's matchup could hinge on the ground game. Both defenses enter allowing more than 200 rushing yards per game, opening the door for a physical, possession-driven contest. The Demons, though, will aim to keep balance after their most productive passing performance of the season a week ago.
 
Redshirt freshman quarterback Abram Johnston delivered 284 yards, the second-highest total of his career, and a touchdown against Lamar. Seven or more receivers caught a pass for the eighth time this season, led by true freshman Brendan Webb's breakout game with 126 yards on four catches, both career highs.
 
"We need to start fast and start well," McCorkle said. "Get some confidence early and really try and make a game of it. McNeese hasn't had the season I think they thought they would but when you turn on the film they still look like McNeese. That means something in FCS football. They've got some big offensive linemen and good size on their defensive ends. They're physical and they do some really good stuff. They're sound and know what they're doing."
 
As the Demons take another step in their development and return to one of the league's iconic venues, the message inside the locker room remains simple and steady.
 
"The focus this week should be staying together and knowing what we can do," offensive lineman Ralee Jackson said. "Every week is a toss-up in conference play. No game is ever guaranteed. It doesn't matter what anybody says. Every week is a toss-up and we are capable of going and getting this one."