HAMMOND, La. – The No. 22 Southeastern Louisiana University football team celebrated Homecoming with an overwhelming 49-0 Southland Conference shutout victory over Northwestern State Saturday evening in Strawberry Stadium.
 
The Lions (5-2, 3-0 SLC) limited the visiting Demons (1-6, 0-3 SLC) to just 120 total yards on the way to their third straight victory. The shutout was the second straight for SLU, marking the first time since 1960 Southeastern has shutout consecutive opponents and giving the Lions multiple shutouts in a season for the first time since 1978. Southeastern is now 41-29 all-time versus NSU and has won the last 15 meetings versus its in-state SLC rivals.
 
"We had great preparation during the open week and the high level of execution carried over to the game tonight," Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo said. "We had an outstanding effort in every facet tonight."
 
Southeastern shined in all three phases in the convincing win. The 120 yards allowed marked the fewest SLU has yielded in a game in 2025. Jakyri Jones led the Lions with seven tackles, while Kaleb Proctor, Khalid Moore, Josh Randall, Gabe Whittington and James Harris each had sacks. Mike Mitchell recorded his first career interception as a Lion late in the fourth quarter to secure the shutout.
 
Kyle Lowe (9-for-10, 134 yards, 1 TD) and Carson Camp (4-for-8, 86 yards, 1 TD) split time effectively under center for a Southeastern offense that racked up 402 total yards. Deantre Jackson scored three first-half touchdowns – two rushing and one receiving.
 
Calvin Smith Jr. led SLU with 68 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, while Jaedon Henry also added a score on the ground. Jaylon Domingeaux led Southeastern with four catches for 74 yards and his sixth receiving touchdown of the year.
 
SLU also had several special teams highlights, including Brandon Hayes' 83-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the second half. Brant Monistere and Jett Booker were both credited with block punts, while Jack Hunter uncorked a 74-yard punt – one yard shy of the longest punt in program history.
Southeastern is now a perfect 5-0 versus FCS competition. In those five games, SLU is averaging 46.6 points per contest, while allowing opponents 11.6 points per outing.
 
The Southeastern special teams set up the first score of the game, as Monistere blocked NSU's punt and set up the Lions in Northwestern State territory. On the first play, Jackson took a short Camp pass and housed it from 27 yards out to put SLU up, 7-0, with 6:54 left in the opening period.
 
After back-to-back sacks forced a Northwestern State three-and-out, the Lions added to their advantage to close out the opening quarter. Domingeaux caught a 13-yard scoring toss from Lowe to cap a nine-play, 53-yard scoring drive and put Southeastern up, 14-0, after the first quarter.
 
SLU added to its lead early in the second quarter. Jackson scooted in from 23 yards out to extend the Lion lead to 21-0 with 9:35 remaining in the opening half.
 
Later in the half, a short punt set the Lions up deep in NSU territory. Jackson found pay dirt for the third time, sliding in from four yards out to send SLU into the break with a 28-0 lead.
 
On the opening kickoff of the second half, Hayes broke free down the left sideline for an 83-yard kickoff return for a touchdown – the second kickoff return for a score of his Lion career - to put SLU up, 35-0, just 11 seconds into the third quarter.
 
Southeastern padded its lead after taking advantage of another short Demon punt. Henry scooted in from eight yards out to extend the Lion advantage to 42-0 with 10:24 left in the third quarter.
 
The Lions closed out the scoring midway through the fourth quarter. Smith Jr. slipped a tackle and scored from 12 yards out – his first collegiate touchdown - to give SLU a 49-0 lead with 8:44 left in the contest.
 
Northwestern State drove deep into Southeastern territory on its final possession, but Mitchell intercepted Eli Anderson in the end zone to preserve the shutout.
 
Southeastern will be back on the road next Saturday for a 2 p.m. Southland Conference contest at HCU. The game will be televised on ESPN+ and can be heard on the Southeastern Sports Radio Network (Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM, The Boss 97.7 FM/WFPR 1400 AM).
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net. Southeastern will continue offering mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail or text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @LionUpFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on X, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and follow @lionupfootball on Instagram.
 
TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics observes a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.