(Note: No, we did not forget to preview the Incarnate Word game in week eight. This is an oversight on my part. We’ll have the UIW preview this weekend-Russell)

Greetings, Lion fans, and this is that time of year that drives all of us football fans as crazy as ever. With just over thirty days until the start of the season and fall camp just now beginning for most teams, we can hardly wait to begin. Until that time arrives, we’ll break down the Lions week nine opponent, Northwestern State of Louisana.

When: Saturday, November 5th, 2 PM

Where: The Hawk, Commerce

About Northwestern State:

Location: Natchitoches, Louisana

Distance from Commerce: 247 miles

Enrollment: 8, 662 (Fall 2021)

2021 Record: 3-8

Head Coach: Brad Laird (5th Season) 12-28

Notable Games in 2021: vs. UNT (L, 44-14)

vs. UIW (, L38-27)

Overview: The Lions have some history with the Demons, with NW State holding a 17-10-2 advantage. The Demons won the last matchup, 30-14 in 2008. The last Lion was in 1994, by a score of 28-24. This series goes all the way back to 1926. Laird, a Northwestern State grad, and one time assistant at Stephen F. Austin, has been making slow but steady progress in building a winning culture, and now in his fifth season, with a full complement of players he and his staff have recruited, are poised to take the next step.

2021 Stats:

Offense: 19.4 ppg

Rushing: 149.0 ypg

Passing: 212.0 ypg

Total: 362.2 ypg

Defense: 34.0 pph

Rushing: 176.7 ypg

Passing: 263.4 ypg

Total: 443.2 ypg

The Demons obviously have some holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball, but as with every team in the Southland Conference that the Lions will face in 2022, it will be a giant step up in the level of competition. The advantage the Lions hold in this matchup: Demons have to come west to The Hawk.

In Case You Didn’t Know: Natchitoches, Louisiana, is not only the home of Northwestern State, but also has a bit of Hollywood history. The 1989 classic film Steel Magnolias, starring Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Olympia Dukakis, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, and Dolly Parton, was filmed there. (Note: Juila Roberts’s character, Shelby, was the inspiration for our daughter, Shelby, Class of 2023.)