The 2020 Northwestern State Demons football team represented Northwestern State University as a member of the Southland Conference during the 2020–21 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by third-year head coach Brad Laird, the Demons compiled an overall record of 1–5 with an identical mark in conference play, placing last out of seven teams in the Southland. Northwestern State played home games at Harry Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
Preseason
Recruiting class Reference(s):
Preseason poll The Southland Conference released their spring preseason poll in January 2021. The Demons were picked to finish sixth in the conference. In addition, two Demons were chosen to the Preseason All-Southland Team
Preseason All–Southland Teams
Defense
1st Team Ja'Quay Pough – Linebacker, SR
2nd Team Shemar Bartholomew – Defensive Back, JR
Schedule
Game summaries
Nicholls
Statistics NichollsNorthwestern State First downs 29 12 Total yards 545 304 Rushing yards 246 237 Passing yards 299 67 Turnovers 2 0 Time of possession 39:31 20:29
Team Category Player StatisticsNicholls Passing Lindsey Scott Jr. 21/33, 229 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT Rushing Julien Gums 36 carries, 156 yards, 1 TD Receiving Dai'Jean Dixon 7 receptions, 115 yards, 2 TDsNorthwestern State Passing Kaleb Fletcher 8/17, 49 yards, 1 TD Rushing Aubrey Scott 9 carries, 119 yards, 1 TD Receiving Gavin Landry 2 receptions, 19 yards, 1 TD
At Southeastern Louisiana
Statistics Northwestern StateSoutheastern Louisiana First downs 23 23 Total yards 422 477 Rushing yards 249 131 Passing yards 173 346 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 30:46 29:14
Team Category Player StatisticsNorthwestern State Passing Kaleb Fletcher 7/15, 96 yards, 1 INT Rushing Scooter Adams 19 carries, 100 yards, 1 TD Receiving Marquise Bridges 1 reception, 40 yardsSoutheastern Louisiana Passing Cole Kelley 28/39, 338 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing Morgan Ellison 10 carries, 81 yards Receiving CJ Turner 9 receptions, 72 yards
McNeese State
Statistics McNeese StateNorthwestern State First downs 20 21 Total yards 416 394 Rushing yards 110 33 Passing yards 306 361 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 30:36 29:24
Team Category Player StatisticsMcNeese State Passing Cody Orgeron 17/22, 306 yards, 2 TDs Rushing Josh Parker 16 carries, 77 yards Receiving Trevor Begue 8 receptions, 165 yards, 1 TDNorthwestern State Passing Kaleb Fletcher 13/18, 171 yards, 1 TD Rushing Scooter Adams 8 carries, 37 yards Receiving Javon Antonio 6 receptions, 103 yards
At Lamar
Statistics Northwestern StateLamar First downs 17 19 Total yards 409 358 Rushing yards 215 239 Passing yards 194 119 Turnovers 3 0 Time of possession 19:46 40:14
Team Category Player StatisticsNorthwestern State Passing Bryce Rivers 7/19, 136 yards, 1 TD Rushing Scooter Adams 18 carries, 212 yards, 2 TDs Receiving Marquise Bridges 1 reception, 45 yardsLamar Passing Jalen Dummett 6/12, 94 yards, 1 TD Rushing Jalen Dummett 13 carries, 84 yards, 1 TD Receiving Kirkland Banks 2 receptions, 43 yards
Sam Houston State
Statistics Sam Houston StateNorthwestern State First downs 23 24 Total yards 445 453 Rushing yards 133 43 Passing yards 312 410 Turnovers 2 3 Time of possession 32:30 27:30
Team Category Player StatisticsSam Houston State Passing Eric Schmid 22/41, 312 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs Rushing Ramon Jefferson 18 carries, 107 yards Receiving Ife Adeyi 6 receptions, 134 yards, 1 TDNorthwestern State Passing Bryce Rivers 29/51, 410 yards, 2 TDs Rushing Scooter Adams 13 carries, 34 yards Receiving Javon Antonio 10 receptions, 190 yards, 1 TD
At Incarnate Word
Statistics Northwestern StateIncarnate Word First downs 36 29 Total yards 707 627 Rushing yards 230 196 Passing yards 477 431 Turnovers 2 3 Time of possession 30:20 29:40
Team Category Player StatisticsNorthwestern State Passing Bryce Rivers 34/61, 477 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT Rushing Scooter Adams 20 carries, 208 yards, 3 TDs Receiving Javon Antonio 11 receptions, 192 yards, 2 TDsIncarnate Word Passing Cam Ward 33/59, 431 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT Rushing Kevin Brown 19 carries, 160 yards, 3 TDs Receiving Robert Ferrel 7 receptions, 144 yards, 1 TD
Roster
References