2023 Northwestern State Demons football team

The 2023 Northwestern State Demons football team represented Northwestern State University as a member of the Southland Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by sixth-year head coach Brad Laird, the Demons played their home games at Harry Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

2023 Northwestern State Demons football
ConferenceSouthland Conference
Record0–6 (0–2 Southland)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBeau Blair (2nd season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorWeston Glaser (2nd season)
Base defense3–3–5
Home stadiumHarry Turpin Stadium
(capacity: 15,971)
2023 Southland Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
No. 8 Incarnate Word  3 –0   6 –1  
Lamar  3 –0   4 –3  
Nicholls  3 –0   3 –3  
Houston Christian  1 –2   3 –4  
Texas A&M–Commerce *  1 –2   1 –6  
Southeastern Louisiana  1 –3   1 –7  
Northwestern State  0 –2   0 –6  
McNeese  0 –3   0 –7  
  • * – Texas A&M–Commerce ineligible for FCS postseason play due to transition from NCAA Division II.
Rankings from STATS Poll

On the morning of October 12, junior safety Ronnie Caldwell died after having been shot multiple times.[1] The Demons following game, against Nicholls, was cancelled in response.[2] On October 26, the university announced that Laird had resigned and the remainder of the season would be cancelled.[3]

Preseason

Preseason poll

The Southland Conference released their preseason poll on July 24, 2023. The Demons were picked to finish fifth in the conference.[4]

Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1Southeastern Louisiana93 (9)
2Incarnate Word91 (7)
3McNeese65
4Nicholls62
5Northwestern State52
6Texas A&M–Commerce33
7Lamar28
8Houston Christian24

Preseason All–Southland Teams

The Southland Conference announced the 2023 preseason all-conference football team selections on July 21, 2023. NSU had a total of 6 players selected.[5]

Schedule
DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 27:30 p.m.at Louisiana*
ESPN+L 13–3818,186
September 96:00 p.m.at Louisiana Tech*
ESPN+L 21–5119,152
September 166:00 p.m.Stephen F. Austin*
ESPN+L 7–416,486
September 306:00 p.m.Eastern Illinois*
  • Harry Turpin Stadium
  • Natchitoches, LA
ESPN+L 10–196,021
October 73:00 p.m.at Lamar
ESPN+L 13–275,263
October 143:00 p.m.at Nicholls
ESPN+ Canceled
October 197:00 p.m.Southeastern Louisiana
  • Harry Turpin Stadium
  • Natchitoches, LA (rivalry)
ESPN+L 20–372,237
October 287:00 p.m.at McNeese
ESPN+Cancelled
November 42:00 p.m.Houston Christiandagger
  • Harry Turpin Stadium
  • Natchitoches, LA
ESPN+Cancelled
November 112:00 p.m.at Incarnate Word
ESPN+Cancelled
November 182:00 p.m.Texas A&M–Commerce
  • Harry Turpin Stadium
  • Natchitoches, LA
ESPN+Cancelled

[6][7][8][9]

Game summaries

At Louisiana
See also: 2023 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team
Northwestern State Demons at Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Demons 3 3 0713
Ragin' Cajuns 7 14 71038

at Cajun Field, Lafayette, Louisiana

  • Date: September 2
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 85 °F (29 °C)
  • Game attendance: 18,186
  • Referee: Scott Broadway
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Dan McDonald and Eric Mouton
  • Box score, Recap
Game information
First quarter
  • UL – Dre'lyn Washington 62-yard run (Kenneth Almendares kick), 11:55. Ragin' Cajuns 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 67 yards, 0:53.
  • NWST – Brett Money 37-yard field goal, 4:49. Ragin' Cajuns 7–3. Drive: 4 plays, -6 yards, 1:47.

Second quarter

  • UL – Ben Wooldridge 24-yard run (Kenneth Almendares kick), 11:39. Ragin' Cajuns 14–3. Drive: 4 plays, 41 yards, 1:19.
  • UL – Robert Williams 32-yard pass from Ben Wooldridge (Kenneth Almendares kick), 9:09. Ragin' Cajuns 21–3. Drive: 4 plays, 42 yards, 1:37.
  • NWST – Brett Money 41-yard field goal, 2:17. Ragin' Cajuns 21–6. Drive: 8 plays, 17 yards, 3:10.

Third quarter

  • UL – Peter LeBlanc 50-yard pass from Ben Wooldridge (Kenneth Almendares kick), 9:28. Ragin' Cajuns 28–6. Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards, 1:48.

Fourth quarter

  • UL – Kenneth Almendares 33-yard field goal, 14:55. Ragin' Cajuns 31–6. Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards, 3:15.
  • UL – Tavion Smith 21-yard pass from Ben Wooldridge (Kenneth Almendares kick), 4:59. Ragin' Cajuns 38–6. Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 5:23.
  • NWST – Scooter Adams 47-yard pass from Tyler Vander Waal (Brett Money kick), 2:01. Ragin' Cajuns 38–13. Drive: 6 plays, 65 yards, 2:58.
StatisticsNWSTUL
First downs820
Total yards187429
Rushing yards77206
Passing yards110223
Turnovers13
Time of possession32:5827:02
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northwestern StatePassingTyler Vander Waal12/28, 110 yards, TD
RushingScooter Adams8 rushes, 33 yards
ReceivingScooter Adams2 receptions, 48 yards, TD
LouisianaPassingBen Wooldridge14/32, 223 yards, 3 TD, INT
RushingDrelyn Washington8 rushes, 88 yards, TD
ReceivingPeter LeBlanc2 receptions, 58 yards, TD

At Louisiana Tech
See also: 2023 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team
Northwestern State Demons at Louisiana Tech Bulldogs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Demons 7 7 7021
Bulldogs 10 21 20051

at Joe Aillet Stadium, Ruston, Louisiana

  • Date: September 9
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 85 °F (29 °C)
  • Game attendance: 19,152
  • Referee: Ed Ardito
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Lyn Rollins, Chris Mykoskie, and Madison Kaufman
  • Box score, Recap
Game information
First quarter
  • LT – Tyre Shelton 41-yard run (Jacob Barnes kick), 10:28. Bulldogs 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 74 yards, 1:54.
  • LT – Jacob Barnes 22-yard field goal, 5:57. Bulldogs 10–0. Drive: 5 plays, 42 yards, 1:52.
  • NWST – Scooter Adams 11-yard pass from Tyler Vander Waal (Brett Money kick), 0:32. Bulldogs 10–7. Drive: 3 plays, 61 yards, 1:08.

Second quarter

  • LT – Keith Willis Jr. 65-yard run (Jacob Barnes kick), 11:41. Bulldogs 17–7. Drive: 1 play, 65 yards, 0:09.
  • NWST – Tyler Vander Waal 9-yard run (Brett Money kick), 5:41. Bulldogs 17–14. Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards, 4:34.
  • LT – Koby Duru 11-yard pass from Hank Bachmeier (Jacob Barnes kick), 3:18. Bulldogs 24–14. Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 2:21.
  • LT – Charvis Thornton 30-yard run (Jacob Barnes kick), 1:17. Bulldogs 31–14. Drive: 1 play, 30 yards, 0:08.

Third quarter

  • NWST – Kolbe Burrell 2-yard run (Brett Money kick), 13:37. Bulldogs 31–21. Drive: 4 plays, 30 yards, 1:14.
  • LT – Jacob Barnes 36-yard field goal, 9:45. Bulldogs 34–21. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 3:52.
  • LT – Keith Willis Jr. 68-yard run (Jacob Barnes kick), 8:06. Bulldogs 41–21. Drive: 1 play, 68 yards, 0:11.
  • LT – Cedric Woods 49-yard interception return (Jacob Barnes kick), 7:52. Bulldogs 48–21.
  • LT – Jacob Barnes 32-yard field goal, 1:18. Bulldogs 51–21. Drive: 11 plays, 55 yards, 4:01.

Fourth quarter

  • No scoring plays
StatisticsNWSTLT
First downs2022
Total yards324478
Rushing yards185367
Passing yards139111
Turnovers32
Time of possession31:4128:19
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northwestern StatePassingTyler Vander Waal10/24, 134 yards, TD, 3 INT
RushingKolbe Burrell11 rushes, 56 yards, TD
ReceivingJaren Mitchell4 receptions, 60 yards
Louisiana TechPassingHank Bachmeier9/18, 110 yards, TD
RushingKeith Willis Jr.13 rushes, 188 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingKyle Maxwell1 reception, 42 yards

Stephen F. Austin
See also: 2023 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football team
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at Northwestern State Demons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lumberjacks 21 13 7041
Demons 0 0 077

at Harry Turpin Stadium, Natchitoches, Louisiana

  • Date: September 16
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 88 °F (31 °C)
  • Game attendance: 6,486
  • Referee: James Brookhart
  • TV: ESPN+
  • Box score, Recap
Game information
First quarter
  • SFA – Brian Maurer 4-yard run (Chris Campos kick), 12:14. Lumberjacks 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:46.
  • SFA – Amad Murray 25-yard fumble return (Chris Campos kick), 10:19. Lumberjacks 14–0.
  • SFA – Kylon Harris 8-yard pass from Brian Maurer (Chris Campos kick), 8:49. Lumberjacks 21–0. Drive: 2 plays, 14 yards, 0:41.

Second quarter

  • SFA – Anthony Williams 50-yard pass from Brian Maurer (Chris Campos kick), 10:38. Lumberjacks 28–0. Drive: 1 play, 50 yards, 0:09.
  • SFA – Chris Campos 23-yard field goal, 2:33. Lumberjacks 31–0. Drive: 11 plays, 39 yards, 6:01.
  • SFA – Chris Campos 30-yard field goal, 0:23. Lumberjacks 34–0. Drive: 9 plays, 22 yards, 1:18.

Third quarter

  • SFA – Anthony Williams 53-yard pass from Brian Maurer (Chris Campos kick), 8:29. Lumberjacks 41–0. Drive: 1 play, 53 yards, 0:08.

Fourth quarter

  • NWST – Jaren Mitchell 20-yard pass from Quaterius Hawkins (Brett Money kick), 14:37. Lumberjacks 41–7. Drive: 7 plays, 53 yards, 1:36.
StatisticsSFANWST
First downs1811
Total yards454208
Rushing yards18684
Passing yards268124
Turnovers16
Time of possession35:0025:00
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Stephen F. AustinPassingBrian Maurer12/22, 199 yards, 3 TD, INT
RushingJerrell Wimbley16 rushes, 115 yards
ReceivingAnthony Williams2 receptions, 103 yards, 2 TD
Northwestern StatePassingQuaterius Hawkins7/19, 62 yards, TD, 2 INT
RushingScooter Adams9 rushes, 65 yards
ReceivingJaren Mitchell3 receptions, 35 yards, TD

Eastern Illinois
See also: 2023 Eastern Illinois Panthers football team
Eastern Illinois Panthers at Northwestern State Demons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 3 7 6319
Demons 3 7 0010

at Harry Turpin Stadium, Natchitoches, Louisiana

  • Date: September 30
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 91 °F (33 °C)
  • Game attendance: 6,021
  • Referee: Gary Leeper
  • TV: ESPN+
  • Box score, Recap
Game information
First quarter
  • NWST – Brett Money 23-yard field goal, 6:43. Demons 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 50 yards, 4:26.
  • EIU – Julian Patino 23-yard field goal, 0:05. Tied 3–3. Drive: 8 plays, 26 yards, 3:02.

Second quarter

  • EIU – Justin Bowick 52-yard pass from Pierce Holley (Julian Patino kick), 10:28. Panthers 10–3. Drive: 2 plays, 67 yards, 0:40.
  • NWST – Chance Newman 1-yard run (Brett Money kick), 2:28. Tied 10–10. Drive: 7 plays, 90 yards, 3:08.

Third quarter

  • EIU – Kevin Daniels 6-yard run (kick failed), 11:54. Panthers 16–10. Drive: 7 plays, 71 yards, 3:04.

Fourth quarter

  • EIU – Stone Galloway 22-yard field goal, 8:03. Panthers 19–10. Drive: 7 plays, 19 yards, 2:52.
StatisticsEIUNWST
First downs1819
Total yards349350
Rushing yards7569
Passing yards274281
Turnovers13
Time of possession28:2531:35
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Eastern IllinoisPassingPierce Holley19/37, 274 yards, TD
RushingM. J. Flowers15 rushes, 48 yards
ReceivingJustin Bowick4 receptions, 130 yards, TD
Northwestern StatePassingQuaterius Hawkins27/44, 281 yards, INT
RushingScooter Adams9 rushes, 29 yards
ReceivingZach Patterson7 receptions, 74 yards

At Lamar
See also: 2023 Lamar Cardinals football team
Northwestern State Demons at Lamar Cardinals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Demons 0 7 6013
Cardinals 7 6 01427

at Provost Umphrey Stadium, Beaumont, Texas

  • Date: October 7
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 80 °F (27 °C)
  • Game attendance: 5,263
  • Referee: Matt Beck
  • TV: ESPN+
  • Box score, Recap
Game information
First quarter
  • LAM – Khalan Griffin 3-yard run (Chris Esqueda kick), 8:22. Cardinals 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:38.

Second quarter

  • NWST – Chance Newman 1-yard run (Brett Money kick), 11:17. Tied 7–7. Drive: 8 plays, 41 yards, 3:34.
  • LAM – Damashja Harris 95-yard kickoff return (kick failed), 11:03. Cardinals 13–7.

Third quarter

  • NWST – Brett Money 48-yard field goal, 9:55. Cardinals 13–10. Drive: 11 plays, 32 yards, 4:59.
  • NWST – Brett Money 45-yard field goal, 0:08. Tied 13–13. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 0:56.

Fourth quarter

  • LAM – Andre Dennis 45-yard pass from Robert Coleman (Chris Esqueda kick), 13:58. Cardinals 20–13. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:10.
  • LAM – R. J. Carver 3-yard run (Chris Esqueda kick), 4:18. Cardinals 27–13. Drive: 5 plays, 15 yards, 2:16.
StatisticsNWSTLAM
First downs1615
Total yards221265
Rushing yards81122
Passing yards140143
Turnovers10
Time of possession29:5230:08
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northwestern StatePassingQuaterius Hawkins20/33, 140 yards, INT
RushingKennieth Lacy6 rushes, 28 yards
ReceivingZach Patterson4 receptions, 42 yards
LamarPassingRobert Coleman9/20, 143 yards, TD
RushingKhalan Griffin18 rushes, 93 yards, TD
ReceivingAndre Dennis3 receptions, 78 yards, TD

Southeastern Louisiana
See also: 2023 Southeastern Louisiana Lions football team
Southeastern Louisiana Lions at Northwestern State Demons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 14 7 13337
Demons 10 7 0320

at Harry Turpin Stadium, Natchitoches, Louisiana

  • Date: October 19
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Clear, 76 °F (24 °C)
  • Game attendance: 2,237
  • Referee: Matt Back
  • TV: ESPN+
  • Box score, Recap
Game information
First quarter
  • SELA – Bauer Sharp 1-yard run (Riley Callaghan kick), 12:26. Lions 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:34.
  • NWST – Tyler Vander Waal 2-yard run (Brett Money kick), 9:09. Tied 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:17.
  • SELA – Da'shun Hugley 22-yard run (Riley Callaghan kick), 6:33. Lions 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 2:31.
  • NWST – Brett Money 38-yard field goal, 0:12. Lions 14–10. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 4:12.

Second quarter

  • NWST – Stanley King 29-yard pass from Tyler Vander Waal (Brett Money kick), 13:16. Demons 17–14. Drive: 3 plays, 33 yards, 1:01.
  • SELA – Zachary Clement 4-yard run (Riley Callaghan kick), 8:39. Lions 21–17. Drive: 8 plays, 51 yards, 4:28.

Third quarter

  • SELA – Victor Tademy 58-yard interception return (Riley Callaghan kick), 13:33. Lions 28–17.
  • SELA – Deantre Jackson 81-yard run (kick blocked), 7:50. Lions 34–17. Drive: 4 plays, 93 yards, 1:22.

Fourth quarter

  • NWST – Brett Money 22-yard field goal, 14:15. Lions 34–20. Drive: 6 plays, 14 yards, 1:57.
  • SELA – Riley Callaghan 30-yard field goal, 10:28. Lions 37–20. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 3:46.
StatisticsSELANWST
First downs1825
Total yards539396
Rushing yards21997
Passing yards320299
Turnovers32
Time of possession28:4231:18
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Southeastern LouisianaPassingZachary Clement12/18, 192 yards, INT
RushingDeantre Jackson6 rushes, 119 yards, TD
ReceivingDarius Lewis6 receptions, 109 yards
Northwestern StatePassingTyler Vander Waal27/43, 249 yards, TD, 2 INT
RushingKolbe Burrell11 rushes, 49 yards
ReceivingT. J. Johnson3 receptions, 57 yards

References
  1. "Northwestern State's Ronnie Caldwell dies in shooting". ESPN. October 12, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  2. Carroll, Metia (October 12, 2023). "Northwestern-Nicholls State game canceled after shooting that killed Northwestern State player". WDSU. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  3. Kasabian, Paul (October 26, 2023). "Northwestern State Cancels Football Season, HC Resigns After Ronnie Caldwell's Death". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  4. "Southeastern Voted Top Spot in 2023 Southland Football Preseason Poll". www.southland.org. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  5. "Southland Announces 2023 All-Conference Team". www.southland.org. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  6. "2023 Northwestern State Demons Football Schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  7. "Northwestern State Demons Schedule 2023". ESPN Enterprises, Inc. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  8. "2023 Demon Football Schedule". Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  9. Pugh, Jason (October 16, 2023). "NSU-SLU football game moved to Thursday night". Northwestern State Demons. Retrieved October 17, 2023.


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