NATCHITOCHES, La. – The reigning Sooner Athletic Conference Champion (RV) Louisiana Christian University football team became the first NAIA program to ever beat a NCAA Division I program which awards scholarships as the Wildcats dominated the second half on their way to a 42-37 win over the Northwestern State Demons Thursday night at Turpin Stadium.
Along with being the first win by a NAIA team over a NCAA Division I program with scholarships, the victory by (RV) Louisiana Christian (1-0) was the first over a D1 side in LCU program history and is just the 13
th win by a NAIA program over a NCAA D1 program all-time.
"Tonight was just a perfect example of a group of guys trusting their coaches and trusting their teammates, and playing one play at a time," said LCU head coach
Ben McLaughlin, the reigning Sooner Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.
The Wildcats had to rally from an early deficit as Northwestern State (0-1) took in the opening kickoff and scored a field goal on its opening drive and then, following an interception, scored a touchdown to go up 10-0 just less than six minutes into the contest.
But that's where the Wildcats started to find its rhythm a bit, going 75 yards over nine plays, which culminated with a two-yard touchdown run by
Datlan Cunningham to pull it back within 10-7.
EJ Scott helped keep that drive alive by hauling in a 30-yard completion over three NSU defenders on a 2
nd and 23 play to get the ball into Demon territory.
After holding the Demons to another field goal, making it 13-7, the Wildcats were again on the move as the first quarter ended. When the second quarter began, a pass interference penalty in the end zone set up LCU at the NSU two-yard line, and on the very next play,
Jaterrius Johnson walked in to give the Wildcats their first lead of the game at 14-13.
But that would be all the offense for Louisiana Christian in the second quarter while Northwestern State added a pair of touchdowns to take a 27-14 lead into the halftime lover room, though it could've been worse as the Wildcat defense was able to force two fumbles in the red zone, one inside the five-yard line, to stop would-be NSU scoring drives.
"Tonight was just a great example of playing the next rep," continued McLaughlin, "I told the team before the game that nobody's allowed to look at the scoreboard until the game is over. When we got up in the second quarter, nobody looked at the scoreboard. When we got down 27-to-14 at halftime, nobody flinched."
However, the second half belonged to the Wildcats. On the opening drive of the third quarter, Cunningham broke free for a 37-yard touchdown run to make it a one-score game again at 27-21.
It didn't take long for Louisiana Christian to get back in front as, on a fifth play of NSU's first drive of the second half,
Ernest Mitchell read a late-developing screen pass and jumped the route, picking off the pass and taking it back 42 yards for a touchdown and putting LCU in front once again at 28-27.
The Demons threatened again on their ensuing possession as a 60-yard run set up Northwestern State inside the LCU red zone. But the Wildcat defense held NSU to another field goal which put the Demons back in front, 30-28.
With the third quarter ticking down and LCU's confidence growing, the Wildcats retook the lead once again as
Bryce Perkins found
Darius Washington behind the defense going down the sideline for a 24-yard touchdown, putting Louisiana Christian in front to stay, 35-30.
"When we got back up in the second half, the guys just kept playing the next play, said McLaughlin."
After getting a fourth down stop with the third quarter clock running down, the Wildcats took firm control of the game early in the fourth. Perkins was able to break out of the pocket and find
Omarius Davis who broke a couple tackles and raced down the sideline for a 48-yard touchdown and a 42-30 LCU lead with 14:13 remaining in the contest.
The defense was able to force the Demons to go three-and-out on back-to-back possessions, chewing up valuable clock. When NSU was finally able to string a drive together, it resulted in a touchdown with just 2:47 left on the clock.
LCU recovered the ensuing onside kick and, with the Demons possessing just one timeout, an 11-yard run by Johnson right at the two-minute timeout put the Wildcats on the verge of victory. Facing a third-and-13 with a chance to seal the win, Cunningham was able to get out of the pack and run for a gain of 16 yards and picking up the first down which secured the historic victory.
Perkins finished the game 14-of-25 for 178 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception/
His top target was Davis, who had five catches for 81 yards and a score. Washington had three catches for 32 yards and a touchdown. Scott made two catches for 46 yards.
Cunningham was the top runner on the ground, rushing for 117 yards and a pair of scores on 14 rushes. Johnson had 13 carries for 43 yards and a touchdown.
Jaden Jones led the defense with 13 total tackles.
Trace McHugh had seven tackles, three behind the line of scrimmage, one being a sack.
Jermarian Jackson had four tackles, two for loss, one being a sack, and forced a fumble.
Marques Hampton also forced a fumble as part of his three sacks.
Ernest Mitchell recovered one of the fumbles which ended a NSU scoring opportunity to go with his pick-six.
Obadiah Butler had a 65-yard kickoff return which helped set up the Wildcats deep in Northwestern State territory.
Preston Baker averaged 43 yards on his four punts on the evening, made all six of his extra point attempts, did not attempt a field goal, and had a pair of touchbacks on his seven kickoffs during the game.
The (RV) Wildcats look to ride the momentum of this historic win into their SAC opener, which will also be LCU's home opener, a week from Saturday as Langston comes to Pineville for the conference opener for both teams. Kickoff of Saturday's contest against the Lions (0-0) is set for 6 p.m. at Wildcat Field and can be streamed live on 446Sports and the Wildcat Sports Network.
