I'm still trying to figure out whose idea it was to play Tulane!
Obviously, it was a financial decision. There can be no other logical explanation.
Why else would Northwestern want to play "up" against a 1-A, in-state school that just five years ago went 12-0, and last year went to Hawaii and beat the host Rainbow Warriors in a bowl game? Considering the Green Wave sports two of the best players in the country in quarterback J.P. Losman and running back Mewelde Moore, only a crazy man would want to play this team. After all, NSU sports a roster full of big-eyed youngsters who could only be intimidated by such a game this early in their careers.
Whose idea was this?
Why expose such a vulnerable young bunch to a potentially, and expected by some, lopsided loss this early in their careers?
Why give NSU alumni in the New Orleans area a reason to get together? Would Demons fans from Natchitoches and the surrounding areas really want to drive four-plus hours for a weekend of fun and football in The Big Easy, when a home game against some patsy would have been much more convenient?
I hope by now you've gotten the idea my tongue is firmly planted in my cheek as I write. Fact is, I think it was a GREAT idea to play Tulane. And I salute Northwestern President Dr. Randy Webb, Athletic Drector Greg Burke and the folks at Tulane for making it happen.
Saturday's weekend in the Crescent City proved several things. First and foremost, it proved the Demons have a team that can and will compete against any middle-of-the-road 1-A opponent. More importantly, it reaffirmed the fact that Head Coach Scott Stoker and his staff are not interested in "moral victories." You play the game, you play to win, regardless of the opponent. For too many years, many Demon faithful, myself included, have fallen into that "we weren't expected to win, so we did okay" mentality.
It's time to delete that mindset, folks.
Gone are the days of being satisfied with anything but a win. You can't win championships built upon moral victories.
Gone also are the days of recruiting players to simply fill a roster spot. As Coach Stoker told me recently, "we don't intend to sign kids who can't play." It's obvious he's serious because I've seen no one hit the field this season who showed otherwise.
Perhaps the most revealed element of Saturday's game with Tulane is that Northwestern State University has a very bright future in football. There is not only tremendous player talent on this squad, but excellent coaching prowess as well. NSU's early first half adjustments on defense stymied Tulane's offensive juggernaut after the first series, and some brilliant second half adjustments on offense helped the Demons surf the Green Wave for almost 500 total yards. NSU should have won the game, and Stoker and his youngsters weren't happy with "coming close."
That's not the standard for this program under this leader. Stoker made it known the day he was hired that the goal is winning championships.
Not a bad idea!
