Saturday, November 10, 2007
Big play the wrong way
McNeese freshman Todd Pendland, from Newton, Texas, bust loose on a 63-yard touchdown run on second down after the kickoff and McNeese leads 27-14. The Cowboys did miss the PAT, so the door is open ...
TOUCHDOWN DEMONS, 21-14 with 6:27 to go
What an incredibly courageous performance by these Demons. They drive downfield and get a touchdown by Byron Lawrence. If ever a team deserved a win, based on the heart they have shown tonight, it's these Demons. WOW. 10 plays, 80 yards, a drive led by walk-on freshman QB Carson Martinez. McNEese has gained only about 20 yards in the entire second half. I bet if NSU scores, Scott Stoker will go for two and the win.
INTERCEPTION!
Justin Perry picks one off at the goalline, and the Demons are still alive and kicking at the outset of the fourth quarter. Starting at their own 20.
Going to the fourth quarter down 21-7
A gutsy third quarter ends with a tipped pass by Carson Martinez intercepted and McNeese has the ball at the NSU 27. Staying within two scores is a must for NSU's upset chances.
What a wonderful honor for the Bonnette family
McNeese has named its football field after venerable sports information director Louis Bonnette, whose son Matt is NSU's assistant (really, co-) SID. Louis is a legend in our business, not only for his continuing 37 years of service, but for his unselfishness and kindness to so many for so long.
McNeese had a brief ceremony on the field at the end of halftime to announce the naming of the field. It's as big an honor as I can imagine and it's so well deserved.
McNeese had a brief ceremony on the field at the end of halftime to announce the naming of the field. It's as big an honor as I can imagine and it's so well deserved.
Change the field position
Martinez and the Demons get out to the 38 but stall, moving from their own 4. A punt leaves McNeese at its own 26 with 4:09 left in the third quarter.
Hello Carson Martinez
The Demons are playing true freshman walk-on Carson Martinez at quarterback as the third quarter is underway. Drew Branch (Knee) and Germyane Edmond are just unable to play, so a guy who wasn't even with the team until classes began is now the quarterback. And he's doing admirably.
He drove NSU inside the 20 but a fourth-down gamble failed on the opening series of the third quarter.
Martinez is from Jennings, and he's the son of former NSU pitching coach (under Johnnie Emmons) Jerry Martinez. He's at NSU on a full academic scholarship. He's just completed a nice third-and-long pass and has the Demons moving again.
He drove NSU inside the 20 but a fourth-down gamble failed on the opening series of the third quarter.
Martinez is from Jennings, and he's the son of former NSU pitching coach (under Johnnie Emmons) Jerry Martinez. He's at NSU on a full academic scholarship. He's just completed a nice third-and-long pass and has the Demons moving again.
Edmond's injury evidently painful
Quarterback Germayne Edmond is obviously hurt, and it seems to be the "other" shoulder, his right (throwing) shoulder. He has played sparingly since leaving after completing a pass to midfield during NSU's scoring drive, and when he's in, he's been restricted in his range of motion.
Drew Branch is back in the game. 87 seconds before halftime, and Branch hits Kedrin Seastrunk near midfield.
Drew Branch is back in the game. 87 seconds before halftime, and Branch hits Kedrin Seastrunk near midfield.
21-7 McNeese
The Cowboys hit a 47-yard pass play over the middle on the first play after a bizarre holding penalty on the Demons on an NSU punt. McNeese's very talented receivers are putting on a show.
Cowboys go up 14-7
A long punt return, and a 27-yard drive lifts McNeese up 14-7 10 minutes before halftime.
It's tied
McNeese punches it in, adds the PAT and we're tied on the first play of the second quarter. Will the Demons continue their offensive surge? An 8-play, 67 yard drive for McNeese.
Byron Lawrence already has 49 yards rushing on 11 carries.
Germayne Edmond left the game midway through the last drive, and Drew Branch stepped in.
Byron Lawrence already has 49 yards rushing on 11 carries.
Germayne Edmond left the game midway through the last drive, and Drew Branch stepped in.
Demons offensive line dominates, NSU goes up
Byron Lawrence and Sterling Endsley run powerfully on a 9-play, 79-yard drive capped by a 2-yard dash over right tackle by Endsley. The Demon offensive line is just blasting holes up front. 7-0, NSU, 2:19 left in the first quarter.
Lawrence went over the 1,000-yard mark for the season on his first carry of the game, a 5-yard run. He is the 10th player in school history to reach that mark.
Lawrence went over the 1,000-yard mark for the season on his first carry of the game, a 5-yard run. He is the 10th player in school history to reach that mark.
Riggs makes a big play -- again
A long run, another touchdown saving tackle by Gary Riggs, and a defensive stand keeps this game scoreless. McNeese missed a 39-yard field goal try - why couldn't that have happened last year in this game?
Gave it back
Byron Lawrence never got a good grip on the first down handoff at the McNeese 18, and the Cowboys dodged a bullet and recovered the fumble.
Sack and a fumble recovery
Scott Wattigny forced a fumble on a sack, and Neil Walker recovered for NSU at the McNeese 27. Another good early break for the Demons.
Germayne Edmond dashed for a first down at the 18.
Germayne Edmond dashed for a first down at the 18.
Riggs makes a big play
Hustle paid off on the first play of tonight's NSU-McNeese football game.
McNeese connected on a long play-action pass and appeared to be going in to score. But Demon safety Gary Riggs dashed over and just shy of the goalline, punched the ball loose. The fumble bounded out of the side of the end zone for a touchback, not a touchdown.
McNeese connected on a long play-action pass and appeared to be going in to score. But Demon safety Gary Riggs dashed over and just shy of the goalline, punched the ball loose. The fumble bounded out of the side of the end zone for a touchback, not a touchdown.
Busy day for Coach B
Being a head coach is plenty of work, especially on game day.
Being a wedding planner, I'm told, is a consuming job.
Saturday, Lady Demon volleyball coach Brittany Uffelman did both.
Her ex-roommate, former NSU soccer player Jill Lowe, got married. Jill is one of the all-time sweethearts.
Brittany, who is a bit of a busybody (she says she loves knitting in the early morning hours, for example), volunteered to do for her dear friend what she's done for several other friends in past years, and help coordinate the wedding.
Wedding at 2. Volleyball match at 4.
Big wins in both. Coach B made it to Prather Coliseum an hour after the ceremonies, an hour before first serve. The Lady Demons won in four games. Jill was a blushing bride. And Brittany is liable to be up late tonight knitting and reliving the excitement of the day.
Doug Ireland, SID
Being a wedding planner, I'm told, is a consuming job.
Saturday, Lady Demon volleyball coach Brittany Uffelman did both.
Her ex-roommate, former NSU soccer player Jill Lowe, got married. Jill is one of the all-time sweethearts.
Brittany, who is a bit of a busybody (she says she loves knitting in the early morning hours, for example), volunteered to do for her dear friend what she's done for several other friends in past years, and help coordinate the wedding.
Wedding at 2. Volleyball match at 4.
Big wins in both. Coach B made it to Prather Coliseum an hour after the ceremonies, an hour before first serve. The Lady Demons won in four games. Jill was a blushing bride. And Brittany is liable to be up late tonight knitting and reliving the excitement of the day.
Doug Ireland, SID
Monday, November 05, 2007
Pittman in the spotlight tonight
No. 24, former Demon All-American David Pittman, is one of the team captains and a starting cornerback tonight for the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
All in the "family"
A blown-out tire Friday turned out to be a lucky break.
It happened to me about 15 miles east of Ruston on I-20. Yes, Ruston, the town that many Demons love to hate. I grew up 20 miles south of there in Jonesboro, but don't know a lot of folks nowadays in Ruston.
But it turns out one of them works in the family-owned Walpole Kelly Tires Store there. Todd DeMoss, a Demon defensive lineman from 1997-99, grew up around the tire business. His dad, Ray, owns a tire store in nearby Arcadia. Todd's wife is a Walpole, and they have been together for a long time before he arrived at NSU.
My friend Buddy Davis of the Ruston Daily Leader got me in touch with the Walpoles, who provided road service and made me feel at home in their store.
It was an added bonus to have the chance to visit with Todd, who has one child and is expecting another.
I had an angel on my shoulder - imagine if the blowout had happened east of Monroe between there and Vicksburg, or even north of Jackson on I-55. Perhaps there would have been friendly folks, but it's unlikely any former Demons would have been part of the family owning the business ... or that the family would have been such wonderful folks and consummate professionals.
Doug Ireland, SID
It happened to me about 15 miles east of Ruston on I-20. Yes, Ruston, the town that many Demons love to hate. I grew up 20 miles south of there in Jonesboro, but don't know a lot of folks nowadays in Ruston.
But it turns out one of them works in the family-owned Walpole Kelly Tires Store there. Todd DeMoss, a Demon defensive lineman from 1997-99, grew up around the tire business. His dad, Ray, owns a tire store in nearby Arcadia. Todd's wife is a Walpole, and they have been together for a long time before he arrived at NSU.
My friend Buddy Davis of the Ruston Daily Leader got me in touch with the Walpoles, who provided road service and made me feel at home in their store.
It was an added bonus to have the chance to visit with Todd, who has one child and is expecting another.
I had an angel on my shoulder - imagine if the blowout had happened east of Monroe between there and Vicksburg, or even north of Jackson on I-55. Perhaps there would have been friendly folks, but it's unlikely any former Demons would have been part of the family owning the business ... or that the family would have been such wonderful folks and consummate professionals.
Doug Ireland, SID
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