Northwestern State fans will sense a different energy around the Demons as the 2025 football season arrives, led by second-year head coach Blaine McCorkle and a squad intent on proving its grit. The opener pits NSU against Alcorn State at 7 p.m. Thursday in Turpin Stadium, the first season-opening home game for the program in a decade.
The mood extends beyond purple banners and season-ticket chatter. Players have bought into the vision McCorkle and his staff have laid out, with a group that senior leadership believes is equipped to compete and connect with the NSU community. “They’re really good kids who are trying hard, working hard and giving their all for NSU,” McCorkle said, emphasizing the kind of character and commitment that fans can rally behind. “Underdogs, yes, but they’ve got a little fight in them. They’ve got a little grit which we like.”
When the Demons take the field against Alcorn State, that grit will be on full display as NSU looks to translate practice tempo into game-day production. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with the returning broadcast team of Patrick Netherton and Gary Reasons, while Jason Pugh joins the sideline crew. NSU will also bring back radio coverage on KZBL 100.7 for the first time since the 2022-23 season, with Chris Salim on play-by-play.
Fans aren’t the only ones getting a pregame boost. Tailgate Town will be in full swing starting at 4 p.m. behind the Collins Alumni Pavilion, featuring live music from Clay Cormier, six food trucks, games, giveaways and more as part of the pregame experience.
Ticket information remains available at nsutickets.com, and anticipation within the locker room is palpable. “We’re excited. We’re locked in and just ready to go,” said senior defensive lineman Tyler Lewis, whose unit is among the most experienced on a relatively young Demon roster. He noted that the defensive line includes seven upperclassmen, four of whom are seniors or graduate students, signaling the leadership that will help guide NSU through a season with a heavy concentration of underclassmen.
Leadership is a throughline as NSU looks to blend its youth with experience. With 70 freshmen and sophomores in the mix, many will play their first collegiate games this week. Captain and tight end Ryan Tyler underscored the mindset driving the team: “Little things make big things happen. Since last spring and through camp we’re all about doing the small details right, because that’s how we’ll reach the goals we’ve set.”
McCorkle acknowledged the challenges of a landscape shaped by transfers and the ongoing portal era, noting that each opener comes with unknowns. “If you study the roster you can see they have talent, they’re athletic and they’re going to challenge us,” he said. “There are things to learn about them and them about us once the game gets underway, but the focus is on playing with discipline and doing the base things right.”
Alcorn State presents its own test, with a dynamic roster featuring a standout linebacker and a running back recently added from Chattanooga. McCorkle said the Demons will need to stay true to their plan and adjust as the game unfolds, just as they’ve prepared to do all fall.
What this means for NSU going forward is a season built on resilience, accountability and a community-driven push to maximize every opportunity. The Demons’ blend of veteran leadership and fresh talent aims to translate preparation into results on the field, while fans get a first real glimpse of how the program’s “Proud to be Purple” spirit translates into performances.
Summary: Northwestern State opens 2025 with renewed energy under head coach Blaine McCorkle as it hosts Alcorn State, backed by a mix of seasoned leaders and a large cohort of underclassmen. With ESPN+ broadcasts, returning radio coverage, and a celebratory Tailgate Town, NSU hopes to translate hard work and tight-knit leadership into a hopeful season full of grit and progress.
Additional note: The emphasis on “little things” and disciplined preparation could help NSU maximize its opportunities in a year that features a relatively young roster, offering fans a hopeful storyline as the Demons seek to establish momentum early in the season.