HBU vs. NW ST.
Records: HBU 1-6, 0-5 Southland; Northwestern State 1-6, 1-4. Series history: First meeting
Key players: HBU — QB Bailey Zappe, RB Terrance Peters, LB Garrett Dolan; Northwestern State — QB Clay Holgorsen, RB Chris Jones, S Ryan Reed.
Who has the edge Offense — Northwestern
State. The Huskies managed more than 12 points only once this season. That was in their lone win, 24-17 over Texas Southern, which averages only 12.2 points per game. The Demons at least gave Sam Houston State a run for its money, putting up 36 in a 40-36 setback. Holgorsen threw for 207 yards and two TDs in that effort, and Jones ran for 154 yards and one score. Defense — HBU. The Huskies slipped a little last week, allowing 483 yards and 24 first downs in the loss to Stephen F. Austin. They still came up with three takeaways and three sacks, but it wasn’t enough to help their hapless offense. Northwestern State is 117th in total defense (480) and 107th in pass defense (270.6). Special teams — Even. The Demons have surrendered two punt-return TDs but K Eric Piccione is 6-of-6 on field goals. He went 3-for-3 against Sam Houston and hit a 49-yarder against Central Arkansas. The Huskies
haven’t allowed a specialteams TD this season but K Alec Chadwick is 6-of-11 on FG attempts, including 2-of-6 in the past three games.
Notable: Northwestern State recognized its 1997 team on the 20th anniversary of their Southland Conference championship on the field before the game against Central Arkansas. That team sent nine players to the NFL after going 6-1 in Southland play. The Demons went 1-10 last season with their only win over Kentucky Wesleyan (49-7).
About HBU: The Huskies are on a five-game losing streak, all in conference play, after falling 27-10 to SFA. Andrew Haidet scored on a 1-yard run 3 minutes into that contest, but the managed only a field goal the rest of the way. This week’s game is winnable, but the Huskies have to generate more offense, especially on the ground after averaging 0.9 yards per rush last week. About Northwestern State: The Demons have lost four straight since their only victory against Lamar (35-28) in their Southland opener. They played Nicholls State (14-10) and Sam Houston close but fell hard against No. 6 Central Arkansas, which racked up 536 yards. Holgorsen was 11-of-25 passing for 149 yards, no TDs and one INT, with three sacks.