Greetings, Lion fans, and this time around, we’ll take a look at another new conference opponent, the Northwestern State (La.) Demons. First, though, a quick look back at last week and Incarnate Word.

It might be hard to find, but there were some bright spots Where are they, you might ask? Well, despite giving up 28 first downs, 308 yards rushing, 282 yards passing, 582 total yards, and 35 points. Senior D’Ante Smith picked off two passes. Despite everything that went wrong, it was still a 14-7 game at the half. The Blue Gang were outsized at every position. Incarnate Word was big, quick, fast, and very talented, and the Lions gave them everything they had.

After all this, though……The Blue Gang Defense is still #1 in all of the Southland Conference in rushing, passing, total, and scoring defense. That’s how good they have been all year. The question that remanins, is, how will they react?

Let’s break this week’s matchup down and take a look.

OVERALL:

Demon Offense:

Points: 22.7 ppg

Rush: 111.1 ypg

Pass 297.8 ypg

Total 409.5 ypg

Turnovers 22

Blue Gang Defense:

Points: 18.0 ppg

Rush: 144.5 ypg

Pass: 153.1 ypg

Total: 297.6 ypg

Turnovers: 15

The Demons have been able to move the ball with the passing game this season but have been hampered by the turnover bug. The Blue Gang is looking to rebound after a very tough Incarnate Word game.

UP FRONT/TALE OF THE TAPE:

Demon Offensive Line 6’5″ 296 lbs.

Blue Gang Front 6: 6’1″ 247 lbs.

The Demon offensive line is led by senior Teeshawn Turpin (6’4″ 300 lbs.), junior Rod Chaney (6’6′ 300 lbs.), and junior Alycha Ulufale-Hertz (6’7″ 300 lbs.). They are joined by redshirt freshman Landon Blubaugh (6’3″ 270 lbs.), and sophomore Stevie Ballard (6’6″ 310 lbs.). If the name Blubaugh sounds familiar, it should. Landon is the younger brother of standout Lion linebacker Garrett Blubaugh, a member of the 2017 National Championship team.

The Blue Gang welcomed back senior defensive lineman Ben Hutch (6’4″ 293 lbs.), last week, and he responded with three tackles and a pass breakup. He is joined up front by senior Celestin Haba (6′ 2″ 250 lbs.), sophomore Bryson Stewart (6’0″ 269 lbs.), sophomore Clifford Funderburk (6’2″ 235 lbs.), and senior Justice Williams (6’4’231 lbs.)

The heart of the Blue Gang is the linebackers, seniors Michael Noble (6’0″ 216 lbs.) and Dee Walker (6’2″ 224 lbs.) Noble has 51 tackles (24 solo), and Walker has 48 (18 solo). They have benefitted from very good defensive line play that allows them to make plays all over the field.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS/THE BACK LINE:

Demon Movers and Shakers: 6’1″ 195 lbs.

Blue Gang Back Line: 5’10” 174 lbs.

The Demon offense is led by sophomore Zachary Clement (6’0″ 200 lbs) , who has 280 yards rushing on 58 attempts this season, a pair of touchdowns, and a long of 35 yards. He also has 153 completions on 285 attempts for 1, 928 yards, 13 touchdowns, and a long of 84 yards. He also has thrown 6 interceptions.

Sophomore Kenneth Lacy (5’9″ 185 lbs.), leads the Demons rushing attack with 826 yards on 55 carries, with a pair of touchdowns, and a long of 55 yards.

The Northwestern State receivers are led by redshirt junior Javon Antonion (6’4″ 220 lbs.,) , who has 575 yards on 52 catches, 5 touchdowns,, and a long of 49. Junior Zach Patterson has 55 catches for 525 yards, 4 touchdowns, and a long of 53 yards. Sophomore Ke’Nard King (5’10” 170 lbs.) has 22 receptions for 324 yards, a pair of touchdowns, and a long of 59 yards.

The Blue Gang back line is led by senior Darius Williams (5’10” 189 lbs.), who has 47 tackles (32 solo), and junior Dariyon Taylor, (5’10″180 lbs.), who has 35 tackles (20 solo). This group, although very young, has come together quite well, and have been very good against both the run and pass. Sophomore Jordan Polk (5′ 11″197 lbs.), sophomore Maxwell Epps (5’11” 189 lbs.), sophomore Kendall Paul (5’8″ 157 lbs.,) and senior D’Ante Smith (6’0″ 198 lbs.) join this group that is quickly becoming one of the best in the conference.

VERY SPECIAL, INDEED:

The Demons punter is sophomore Scotty Roblow (6’5″ 175 lbs.) who averages 41.1 yards on 46 punts, with a long of 71 yards. Senior Eddie Godina (5’11” 180 lbs.,) is 3 of 5 on field goals, with a long of 43 yards, and is 21 of 22 on extra points.

The Lion return game is getting better, with senior B.J. Busbee (5’7″ 149 lbs.), who has 13 punt returns for a 10.4-yard average, and a long of 27 yards. Freshman Sean Krystoff-King (5’9″ 178 lbs.) has 9 kickoff returns for a 23.1 yard average, and a long of 59 yards.

THE LIONS WIN THIS MATCHUP IF: They continue the Blue Gang mentality. They match up well with Northwestern State, who doesn’t seem to run the ball very well, and is very turnover prone. If they are able to maintain their focus and bounce back from last week, they should win this one.

Lion fans, we need to get out this weekend and pack The Hawk. This team still has a tremendous amount to play for. No one thought that at this point in the 2022 season, that if they win this game, and against Nicholls, they well share a Southland Conference Championship in their very first season of Division 1 FCS football. This is a well-coached team that plays hard every single down. They are so much fun to watch.

See You at The Hawk.