Northwestern State’s homecoming football game ends in defeat, 40-10

NATCHITOCHES, La. (WNTZ) – Missed opportunities and a punishing ground game defined Northwestern State’s Homecoming matchup Saturday night, as the Demons fell 40-10 to East Texas A&M in a Southland Conference opener at Turpin Stadium.

Despite a strong start – including a 65-yard kickoff return from Antonio Hall on the opening play; Northwestern State (1-4, 0-1) failed to capitalize on early scoring chances, missing two first-half field goals that could have kept the game within reach. The Lions (1-4, 1-0) took control behind a relentless rushing attack, piling up 261 yards on 52 carries to dominate time of possession and the line of scrimmage.

“Can’t say I saw that one coming,” head coach Blaine McCorkle said. “I think we all hoped we’d play a lot better and have a chance to win. We still have a lot of work to do… looking in the mirror as players, coaches, with our schemes, our preparation. All we can do is go back to work. Nobody said this was going to be easy.”

The tone was set on the game’s opening drive. After Hall’s long return set the Demons up in prime field position, NSU marched six plays before a missed field goal kept the game scoreless. East Texas A&M responded with a nine-play touchdown drive capped by a 2-yard run from EJ Oakmon, a lead the Lions would never relinquish.

A blocked punt by Ty Moore later gave the Demons another short field, but a sack on third down led to another missed field goal, leaving NSU still trailing 10-0. The Lions extended their lead on a 14-play, 80-yard drive; 50 of those yards on the ground – ending with a 5-yard score to make it 17-0.

The Demons found a spark late in the first half when Fernando Washington intercepted a pass at the 6-yard line, his first as a Demon. Quarterback Abram Johnston then engineered a quick drive highlighted by a deep pass to Camryn Davis and a long run from Kolbe Burrell, setting up a 30-yard Cooper Evans field goal as time expired.

Any momentum NSU carried into the second half vanished quickly. KJ Shankle broke a 24-yard touchdown run on the opening drive, pushing the Lions’ lead to three scores. East Texas A&M added two more rushing touchdowns in the third quarter and scored on four of five second-half possessions, racking up 139 yards on the ground after halftime.

Northwestern State’s lone touchdown came in the fourth quarter on an eight-play, 34-yard drive capped by a 1-yard run from Burrell — his first of the season. Freshmen Trevor Allen and Brenden Webb contributed key plays on the series, combining for 34 yards.

“You saw some young guys step up tonight,” McCorkle said. “Brenden Webb touched the ball for the first time and showed he can make plays. Trevor Allen got his first action of the season and showed what he’s capable of. We even had guys on defense playing their first snaps. I’m proud of how they responded.”

Northwestern State will look to rebound with two straight road games, beginning next Saturday at Houston Christian.