For the first time in over three years, Northwestern State University of Louisiana walked off the football field as winners.
The Demons secured their first win since Nov. 5, 2022, with a 20-10 victory over the Alcorn State University Braves on Thursday night at Turpin Stadium during their season opener. This also marks second-year head coach Blaine McCorkle’s first win with the Demons since his hiring in December 2023.
The win ends a 20-game losing streak, the longest active streak in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 Football Championship Subdivision, heading into the 2025 season.
“I told the guys in the locker room after the game that when we woke up this morning, we had the longest losing streak in the country,” McCorkle said in a press conference. “Saturday night when all of the games are over with, we will have a longer winning streak than half of the teams in the country.”
NSU set the tone early. After the Braves’ punt snap sailed over the head of punter Demetrion Duvall, wide receiver Ty Moore recovered the ball at the 8-yard line and cruised into the end zone for a 13-0 lead in the first quarter. Moore also caught the Demons’ first touchdown of the season, a 6-yard strike from quarterback Abram Johnston.
Alcorn State tried to claw back in the third quarter. The Braves cut the deficit to 13-10 after a 72-yard interception return by Orlandus McLaurin and a 51-yard field goal from Grandin Willcox. Nonetheless, the Demon defense stood tall, limiting Alcorn quarterback Jaylon Tolbert to 182 yards on 19-of-44 passing with two interceptions.
Johnston finished nine of 18 passing, for 85 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while also adding 69 rushing yards. He orchestrated a pivotal 12-play, 68-yard drive in the fourth quarter that chewed more than six minutes off the clock and ended with Ryan Tyler’s 1-yard touchdown plunge to seal the win.
“It’s a weight off of our back. During the off season it’s all you think about, and I think this is going to open us up to free so much freely and play better,” Johnston said in a press conference. “It’s special for the city, the team, the coaching staff and players. This is what we’ve been dreaming about since we lost our last game to Houston Christian last year.”
After the game, Moore couldn’t contain his excitement. “I’m elated right now, kind of at a loss for words. Just super ecstatic about everything. It was a great win for the whole team and we’re all just pumped,” Moore said in a press conference. “There’s been so many downs on the journey to this victory, but I had a dream of us winning just the other night and that is exactly what happened.”
Moore’s only reception was his touchdown, but he still did everything his coaches asked of him when it came to pass blocking and being a decoy for NSU.
When the entire student section and fans rushed the field to celebrate with the team, the support for the Demons was undeniable.
“It’s awesome knowing that so many people are behind us for how long this program has been down. There’s so many people that support us and have our backs. The support is unbelievable,” Johnston said in a press conference.
With the losing streak finally behind them, NSU looks to build momentum as they head deeper into the season, starting with a three-game road trip. They will take on the University of Minnesota Gophers, an NCAA D1 Football Bowl Subdivision school, on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 11 a.m. in Minnesota.
