NATCHITOCHES, La. (WNTZ) — Northwestern State showed flashes of potential but struggled to capitalize on key opportunities in a 41-14 loss to No. 15 Lamar on Saturday night at Turpin Stadium.

The Demons (0-2) faced their second straight Top 20 opponent, and despite several explosive plays on offense, turnovers and missed scoring chances proved costly.

“We’ve played two top 20 teams in a row and a lot of our young guys found out what championship-level football at this level looks like,” head coach Blaine McCorkle said. “There’s a lot of valuable lessons in that for them as we build this thing.”

After Lamar’s Ben Woodard opened scoring with a 50-yard field goal, Northwestern State looked poised to respond when Jimmie Duncan’s 59-yard reception set up the Demons at the five-yard line. However, a blocked field goal ended the drive without points.

“We had some missed opportunities today but the biggest might have been on our second drive,” McCorkle said. “Get the ball inside the five and come away with no points — that’s unacceptable.”

Quarterback Abram Johnston later capped a scoring drive early in the second quarter with a one-yard plunge, giving NSU a brief 7-3 lead. Lamar quickly answered, however, and took a 17-7 advantage into halftime before dominating the second half.

The Cardinals (2-0) scored on five of their final seven possessions, capitalizing on consecutive Demon turnovers to build an insurmountable lead.

Despite the loss, Northwestern State’s young offense produced several highlights. Freshman receiver Brendan Webb hauled in a 78-yard touchdown — the team’s longest play of the year — and finished with 126 yards on three catches. Fellow freshman Jimmie Duncan added 73 yards, giving the duo a combined 199 yards receiving.

“Those are two really good true freshmen receivers that are going to be incredible players here,” McCorkle said. “They stepped up and made plays and caught all their passes from a redshirt freshman quarterback.”

Johnston threw for a season-high 284 yards, but the rushing attack managed just 23 yards against Lamar’s defense.

The Demons travel to McNeese next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. in Lake Charles.