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. On October 26, Laird announced that he had resigned and the remainder of the season would be cancelled due to the death of Ronnie Caldwell.
Death of Ronnie Caldwell On the morning of October 12, junior safety Ronnie Caldwell died after having been shot multiple times. The Demons' following game, against Nicholls, was cancelled in response. On October 26, the university announced that Laird had resigned and the remainder of the season would be cancelled.
The day following the murder, Caldwell's roommate, John McIntosh, was arrested by Natchitoches police for possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance. At the time, police did not say if McIntosh was involved in Caldwell's death but did confirm that McIntosh had previously been arrested for attempted second-degree murder. On October 20, defensive tackle Maurice Campbell was arrested in connection to Caldwell's death. Campbell was cited for obstruction of justice, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.
On November 5, Caldwell's parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Quad Apartment Complex, where Caldwell lived and where the shooting occurred, Laird, and NSU. According to the lawsuit, Caldwell was placed in an apartment with McIntosh, who was not attending college and had a history of legal trouble, after mold was found in Caldwell's original apartment. The lawsuit also alleges that McIntosh pulled a gun on Caldwell three days before the shooting occurred. Caldwell then notified his father, Ronald, of the incident who then alerted Laird. Laird called Ronald, assuring him that he would immediately place Ronnie in a safe location. The university was dropped from the suit on November 18, 2024.
Preseason
Preseason poll The Southland Conference released their preseason poll on July 24, 2023. The Demons were picked to finish fifth in the conference.
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.
Offense
1st Team Travon Jones – tight end/halfback, SO Zach Patterson – wide receiver, SR
2nd Team Scooter Adams – running back, RS-SR Ke'Nard King – wide receiver, JR D'Andre Richard – offensive lineman, JR
Defense
1st Team Kevin Davis – defensive back, JR
Schedule
Personnel
Game summaries At Louisiana
Statistics NWSTUL First downs 8 20 Total yards 187 429 Rushing yards 77 206 Passing yards 110 223 Turnovers 1 3 Time of possession 32:58 27:02
Team Category Player StatisticsNorthwestern State Passing Tyler Vander Waal 12/28, 110 yards, TD Rushing Scooter Adams 8 rushes, 33 yards Receiving Scooter Adams 2 receptions, 48 yards, TDLouisiana Passing Ben Wooldridge 14/32, 223 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Drelyn Washington 8 rushes, 88 yards, TD Receiving Peter LeBlanc 2 receptions, 58 yards, TD
At Louisiana Tech
Statistics NWSTLT First downs 20 22 Total yards 324 478 Rushing yards 185 367 Passing yards 139 111 Turnovers 3 2 Time of possession 31:41 28:19
Team Category Player StatisticsNorthwestern State Passing Tyler Vander Waal 10/24, 134 yards, TD, 3 INT Rushing Kolbe Burrell 11 rushes, 56 yards, TD Receiving Jaren Mitchell 4 receptions, 60 yardsLouisiana Tech Passing Hank Bachmeier 9/18, 110 yards, TD Rushing Keith Willis Jr. 13 rushes, 188 yards, 2 TD Receiving Kyle Maxwell 1 reception, 42 yards
Stephen F. Austin
Statistics SFANWST First downs 18 11 Total yards 454 208 Rushing yards 186 84 Passing yards 268 124 Turnovers 1 6 Time of possession 35:00 25:00
Team Category Player StatisticsStephen F. Austin Passing Brian Maurer 12/22, 199 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Jerrell Wimbley 16 rushes, 115 yards Receiving Anthony Williams 2 receptions, 103 yards, 2 TDNorthwestern State Passing Quaterius Hawkins 7/19, 62 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing Scooter Adams 9 rushes, 65 yards Receiving Jaren Mitchell 3 receptions, 35 yards, TD
Eastern Illinois
Statistics EIUNWST First downs 18 19 Total yards 349 350 Rushing yards 75 69 Passing yards 274 281 Turnovers 1 3 Time of possession 28:25 31:35
Team Category Player StatisticsEastern Illinois Passing Pierce Holley 19/37, 274 yards, TD Rushing M. J. Flowers 15 rushes, 48 yards Receiving Justin Bowick 4 receptions, 130 yards, TDNorthwestern State Passing Quaterius Hawkins 27/44, 281 yards, INT Rushing Scooter Adams 9 rushes, 29 yards Receiving Zach Patterson 7 receptions, 74 yards
At Lamar
Statistics NWSTLAM First downs 16 15 Total yards 221 265 Rushing yards 81 122 Passing yards 140 143 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 29:52 30:08
Team Category Player StatisticsNorthwestern State Passing Quaterius Hawkins 20/33, 140 yards, INT Rushing Kennieth Lacy 6 rushes, 28 yards Receiving Zach Patterson 4 receptions, 42 yardsLamar Passing Robert Coleman 9/20, 143 yards, TD Rushing Khalan Griffin 18 rushes, 93 yards, TD Receiving Andre Dennis 3 receptions, 78 yards, TD
Southeastern Louisiana
Statistics SELANWST First downs 18 25 Total yards 539 396 Rushing yards 219 97 Passing yards 320 299 Turnovers 3 2 Time of possession 28:42 31:18
Team Category Player StatisticsSoutheastern Louisiana Passing Zachary Clement 12/18, 192 yards, INT Rushing Deantre Jackson 6 rushes, 119 yards, TD Receiving Darius Lewis 6 receptions, 109 yardsNorthwestern State Passing Tyler Vander Waal 27/43, 249 yards, TD, 2 INT Rushing Kolbe Burrell 11 rushes, 49 yards Receiving T. J. Johnson 3 receptions, 57 yards
References