NATCHITOCHES – A good crowd saw a good amount of give-and-take in Northwestern State's first full-scale scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday morning.
 
"There was really good balance as far as offense making plays and defense making plays," second-year head coach Blaine McCorkle said. "That's what you want to see. You don't want one side to completely dominate. 
 
"Usually at this time of year the defense is a little bit ahead but we're pretty balanced right now, so I'm pleased. I liked what I saw. We got a lot of plays run. Got a lot of good things on film and it was a pretty productive day."
 
The Demons were presented with a variety of field position and down-and-distance scenarios throughout the scrimmage with each side of the ball winning their fair share of the reps.
 
The defense forced a pair up punts in the first few series of the day before Abaram Johnston found Kody Finley for a 5-yard touchdown pass to cap a drive that began at midfield. The offense reached the endzone twice more on drives that began in the red zone with the defense forcing a 22-yard field goal from Cooper Evans on another.
 
"We were able to find a good rhythm," running back Kolbe Burrell said. "Offensive line was blocking great. Quarterbacks were throwing the ball great and making great calls. We just kept that momentum going and carried on throughout the scrimmage. That's really what we've been harping on."
 
Backed up against their own goal line in the goal-to-go portion of the scrimmage, the defense forced two of their turnovers on the day with interceptions by Ja'Marion Bonner and Danny Sears.
 
"It's always excitement anytime we can get the ball back to the offense," linebacker Fernando Washington said. "We're going up against those guys everyday so any time we can get the ball back like that is really good. It's always a party on the sideline when it happens."
 
The defense forced three turnovers on the day while the offense crossed the goal line six times, cashing in three scores with the ball starting at the three yard line. Johnston threw four touchdowns to three different receivers and two running backs, Ian Vigo and Jeremiah James, picked up rushing touchdowns.
 
The touchdowns and turnovers added to the bump in energy and enthusiasm in Turpin Stadium already present as fans endured the sweltering heat to get their first glimpse of the young 2025 Demons. 
 
"It felt good having the community out here watching us today seeing as we're a pretty new football team," Washington said. "We're getting better everyday and I think they saw that today. I'm happy they came out. Happy they were here."
 
While the Demons never lack for energy at any practice, the presence of fans in the stands on Saturday did not go unnoticed or unfelt.
 
"Anytime that we can have our home field filled up or have our fans there it makes it more exciting," Burrell said. "We're here for them. They're here for us. We work off each other. All that bounce back and forth helps us play better."
 
The Demons continue their development into week three of camp that begins with Monday's practice leading to next weekend's mock game and ultimately for the August 28 home opener against Alcorn State.
 
"The thing that I'm most happy with this team about right now is the maturity level," McCorkle said. "We are brutally young, in my estimation the youngest roster in FCS football, but for such a young team, they are extremely mature and coming to work. We do a lot of things to track effort and toughness and those kind of metrics. They practice hard. Practicing as hard as they did today, this many days into camp, shows they're maturing at a pretty rapid rate. That extreme culture shift in a year has been pleasant to see."