By Brad Welborn, Northwestern State Assistant Sports Information Director; featured photo by Chris Reich, NSU Photographic Services
NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State had a chance to erase a three-touchdown deficit in the fourth quarter against HCU on Saturday, but the rally came up just short in a 28-21 loss to the Huskies.
The Demons (0-11, 0-8) trailed 28-7 entering the fourth quarter before scoring twice in the final period and putting together a furious rally on senior day. A defense that had struggled early shut down the Huskies over the final stretch, giving the offense multiple opportunities to complete the comeback.
“An 0-10 football team coming into this game goes down three touchdowns and we fight our way back to give ourselves a chance to win,” head coach Blaine McCorkle said. “I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder of a team in my life. Our guys are tough and have no quit in them. I don’t care what anybody thinks or says about them. They’re tough and I’m proud. They deserve everybody in the Northwestern State community’s respect for what they did today.”
The Demons struck first with one of their biggest offensive plays of the afternoon. Zay Davis broke through the middle, made a cut toward the sideline and raced 32 yards for a touchdown to cap an 80-yard opening scoring drive.
HCU (5-6, 4-4) answered with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Cutter Stewart to Ja’Ryan Wallace, beginning a stretch in which the Huskies scored on four of seven possessions spanning the end of the first quarter through the middle of the third.
Jamaal Hall II gave HCU the lead with a 75-yard touchdown catch and run with 5:13 remaining in the first half. The Huskies added a 5-yard rushing touchdown before halftime and a 21-yard scoring pass early in the third quarter to build a 28-7 advantage.
Hall II had a career day finishing with 258 receiving yards and a touchdown on nine catches, while Stewart threw for 407 yards and three scores.
Davis continued to provide a spark for the Demons in all three phases. In addition to his opening touchdown, he blocked a punt in the second quarter to give Northwestern State possession at the HCU 43-yard line. The Demons moved inside the 30 but were unable to convert on fourth down after a Huskies sack.
“On Senior Day he has a rushing touchdown, a receiving touchdown and blocks a punt,” McCorkle said. “When your biggest playmaker on the team is blocking punts for you, as a running back, that’s what it’s about. That’s pretty special. That’s who Zay Davis is. He was more excited about the blocked punt than he was the two touchdowns.”
It was his 58-yard swing pass for a touchdown on NSU’s fourth play of the fourth quarter that officially started the comeback bid. Davis has two touchdown receptions of 55 yards or more this season for the Demons.
He finished with 177 all-purpose yards, including 80 rushing yards, 87 receiving yards and 10 punt-return yards, his seventh game this year with 90 or more all-purpose yards.
The Demons found another spark late in the third quarter after a well-placed kickoff and a return mistake pinned HCU at its own 1-yard line. The defense forced a punt, giving Northwestern State a short field to work with.
Six plays later, quarterback Zach Wilcke connected with senior Dane Wallace in the back corner of the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown. It was the first career touchdown reception for Wallace, a graduate senior who made his 13th career catch in his seventh season at Northwestern State.
“Dane Wallace scores a touchdown on Senior Day,” McCorkle said. “Wow. After he’s been through as much here as anybody. He was here before we got here. Just awesome.”
Wilcke completed nine of 10 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns across the final two scoring drives of the third and fourth quarters, helping the Demons make their push.
After Wallace’s touchdown cut the deficit to 28-21, the defense took control. Northwestern State forced four consecutive three-and-outs, giving the offense four opportunities to even the game.
“The defense really responded,” McCorkle said. “I challenged them pretty good at halftime and so did coach (Matt) Conner. They played hard and played with a lot of passion.”
The Demons were unable to capitalize on those opportunities, however, gaining just 35 yards across the four possessions. HCU recorded seven sacks in the game, including two that ended NSU drives on fourth down.
The Huskies’ defense closed the door for good on an interception near the sideline with 1:22 remaining, allowing them to run out the clock to secure the seven-point victory.
The Demons close the 2026 season Thursday night on the road against Stephen F. Austin.