Game Notes
HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana University football team returns from an open date on Saturday as it faces in-state rival Northwestern State in a Southland Conference game at Turpin Stadium.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. The game can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9). Live audio, live statistics and live video streaming, courtesy of Northwestern State, will be available on the internet at www.LionSports.net.
Southeastern (1-4, 0-2 Southland) faces Northwestern State (3-3, 2-1 Southland) for the 55th time – the longest rivalry in Lions' gridiron history. The series, which dates back to 1935, has been evenly contested with Northwestern State holding a 28-26 advantage, including a 17-9 mark in Natchitoches.
The Lions look to snap a three-game losing streak after Lamar rallied from an 11-point third quarter deficit and claimed a 48-38 win on Oct. 1. Southeastern, which leads the Southland Conference and is 19th nationally in total offense (422.6 yards per game) recorded 489 yards in total offense against the Cardinals including a season-high 347 through the air.
Brian Young, who is third in the Southland Conference in passing and fourth in total offense, has thrown for 1,132 yards and six touchdowns for the Lions with
Brandon Collins (29-348, 4 TDs),
Kory Theodore (21-308) and
Simmie Yarborough (21-268, 2 TDs) leading the team in receptions.
Yarborough, who currently holds career school records for receptions (189) and receiving touchdowns (29), is second in school history with 2,270 yards. The senior needs 76 yards to surpass former Lion Felton Huggins (2,345 yards from 2003-05) as the all-time leader.
Sam Fairley (217 yards, 2 TDs),
Zeke Jones (147 yards, 5 TDs) and
LaTruan Weary (118 yards (1 TD) lead Southeastern on the ground with
Tay Alford (45 tackles),
Ricky Irvin (37 tackles) and freshman
Tyler Stoddard (31 tackles) leading the Lions on defense.
Southeastern enters the game ranked second in the Southland Conference and 13th among FCS schools in passing offense (288.2) while ranking second in the league and 17th nationally in scoring offense (33.4).
Paced by redshirt freshman
Jordan Wells' single-season record of 619 kick return yards, Southeastern leads the Southland Conference and ranks 19th nationally with 23.6 yards per return.
Northwestern State evened its record with a 37-17 victory at Lamar last week as the Demons erupted for 20 point in the second quarter to take a 27-7 lead at halftime. Quarterback Brad Henderson completed 26 of 34 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns as the Demons gained 443 yards of total offense in the contest.
Henderson, a junior college transfer who took over the starting duties against LSU earlier this season, has completed 97 of 145 passes for 1,023 yards and eight touchdowns. Justin Aldredge (21-304, 1 TD) leads the Demons in receptions while Rumeall Morris (163 yards) leads a balanced rushing attack.
The Demons, who are second in the Southland Conference in turnover margin (+4), have intercepted a league-high 10 passes, including three last week against Lamar. Northwestern State ranks 21st among FCS schools in rushing defense (113.2) and are second in the league in scoring defense (24.8).
