NATCHITOCHES – The youth movement inside Northwestern State's locker room continues to show itself each week, and Saturday's home matchup with UIW will bring another chance for growth.
 
The Demons (1-8, 0-5) have seen plenty of players earn valuable experience this season. Injuries and scheme changes have opened the door for even more to step into bigger roles, and the results have shown a steady progression for a team learning on the fly.
 
"There's an understanding of having that 'next man up' mentality," said defensive back Kolbe Cage, the lone member of his position group to start every game this year. "There are a lot of young guys in the room so it's a great opportunity for them to get on the field and gain that experience. If an opportunity for them reveals itself you have to take it. I was telling Joe Natali that same thing the other day. He's a guy that does a great job of seizing his opportunities."
 
NSU will be put to the test once again on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. against another quality conference opponent in UIW (3-6, 1-4). The game can be seen on ESPN+ and broadcast live in Natchitoches on 100.7 FM KZBL.
 
Fans attending Saturday's game can also support NSU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee's annual food drive. Those who bring three or more canned goods to the game will receive $5 off general admission tickets.
 
The transfer senior from New Orleans, Cage has become one of the steady voices on the defensive side for the Demons, leading by example in a secondary that's featured a number of first-time starters and contributors.
 
"I try to lead by example for those guys," Cage said. "Just doing the right things all the time. Doing what you're supposed to do. Going to workouts whether it's voluntary or not. Do the things that you need to do and all of that will show itself on the field."
 
That approach extends across the roster. 
 
The backup quarterback must prepare like a starter and stay locked in throughout the game, exactly what senior transfer Eli Anderson has done all season. He started and played the full game at Southeastern and has made appearances, most times with short notice, in five other games including last week at McNeese. 
 
"I think that comes from Coach McCorkle," Anderson said about his and the team's readiness. "He does a good job during practice of getting everybody ready to play. But it also comes from the meeting rooms with our coaches. Every play, just because you're not in, doesn't mean you're not locked in and focused on that play. It comes from coaching but also from within yourself too, making sure your mind is right and being prepared when your name is called."
 
The Demons will need that same collective focus against a UIW program that remains one of the most talented in the Southland, despite a down season by their standards.
 
"They've had some unusual losses this year and losses they're not used to, but it's still UIW," head coach Blaine McCorkle said. "When you turn on the film they are fast and athletic. Their offensive line can move and really do some things. They've got a linebacker that's as good as anybody in the conference. They're the same old UIW regardless of record and that showed up last week against Lamar."
 
UIW entered the season ranked in the top five in both major FCS polls.
 
The last time the Demons played at home they built some confidence against one conclave of Southland Conference Cardinals. But the ground-and-pound style of Lamar is a stark contrast to what the Demons expect to see from the Cardinals out of San Antonio.
 
"They're polar opposites," McCorkle said. "They've been known to throw it all over the yard and they've got some guys on the edge that can go. The quarterback is pretty athletic and he can sling it. He's a redshirt freshman transfer that is very capable and has some weapons that he can go to and guys in front of him that are going to protect and let him go."
 
UIW boasts four receivers with more than 40 catches, led by Jameson Garcia (546 yards, 3 TDs) and Jalen Walthall (510 yards, 5 TDs). That will put NSU's young defensive backs right back in the spotlight.
 
"You just have to focus on your job at hand and your technique," Cage said. "At the end of the day they're human just like you, and you have to have that dog mindset that you're not going to let them catch that ball. I've seen our guys make plays. I've seen it in practice, in games. I believe in them and this whole unit."