NATCHITOCHES – As the 2025 Northwestern State football season arrives, with it comes a distinctly different air of excitement and anticipation.
 
That excitement goes beyond the standard new season feeling, the "Proud to be Purple" signs that populate the city or it being the first season-opening home game in 10 years for the Demons. 
 
It extends to the team itself. The players have bought in to the vision of second-year head coach Blaine McCorkle and his staff and how they represent NSU. 
 
"I think that the people that genuinely know our program like these kids," McCorkle said. "They're really good kids who are trying hard, working hard and giving their all for NSU. I think people see, recognize that and respect it. They recognize the type of kids that we brought in socially, academically, the whole picture. 
 
"And if you get to know them and study the program they're easy to root for. Underdogs, yes, but they've got a little fight in them. They've got a little grit which we like. I really like the personality this team's developing."
 
When the Demons kick off against Alcorn State at 7 p.m. on Thursday night in Turpin Stadium that grit, fight and the Purple Pride will be on full display.
 
The game will air on ESPN+ with the return of Patrick Netherton and Gary Reasons in the booth. Joining them on the sidelines this season will be Jason Pugh. It can also be heard live on KZBL 100.7 as NSU athletics returns to the radio waves for the first time since 2022-23 with Chris Salim providing play-by-play.
 
NSU is also hosting Tailgate Town with live music from rising country singer Clay Cormier beginning at 4 p.m. Located on the tailgate field behind the Collins Alumni Pavilion there will also be a selection of six different food trucks, games, giveaways and more.
 
Tickets for the game are still available by visiting www.nsutickets.com.
 
"We're excited. We're locked in and just ready to go," senior defensive lineman Tyler Lewis said. "I know the guys are itching. Guys in the D-line room are itching, the defensive room are itching to go. The offense is hyped up and we're all ready to do some big things this year."
 
Lewis is among the leaders of one of the more experienced position groups on the overall young Demon team. The defensive line has seven upperclassmen, four of them seniors or graduate students. 
 
The leadership from those players, and the 20 other upperclassman across both sides of the ball, will continue to help shape the future of NSU football starting on Thursday night. Many of the 70 combined freshmen and sophomores, will see their first collegiate action against Alcorn, ideally with the same message in their ears as they take the field.
 
"Little things make big thing happen," senior captain and tight end Ryan Tyler said. "Since last spring and all through camp we're all trying to do the little things right. We truly believe that if we keep doing those things it's going to come together the way we want them to."
 
A focus on the little things and the things that are controllable for the Demons takes on a greater level of importance in the first game of the season.
 
"This day and age of college football and the portal you can almost throw the openers out the window in what you can try to expect from teams," McCorkle said. "They've got an outstanding linebacker that is fun to watch on film. They brought in a running back from Chattanooga to add to another good running back. Looking at the two-deep they are really big up front.
 
"So if you study the roster you can see they have talent, they're athletic and they're going to challenge us. They can say the same sort of unknowns about us too. But once we get into the game and things settle down, I think both teams will be able to adjust to the game and what each other are doing."
 
Over the past week the typical high-energy Demon practices have given way to more "stoic, focused and quieter," preparation according to McCorkle. It is a mindset that the players have embraced heading into opening week.
 
"We have to zero in on them especially coming from where we're coming from," Lewis said. "We may be the youngest team in FCS but we're not going to let that hold us back. If we can do the base things right, listening to what our coaches have prepared us for we'll be ready to go out and put on a show for Natchitoches."