As a left tackle, Stevie Ballard is accustomed to having a copious set of eyes on him every snap.

Ballard and his fellow Northwestern State offensive linemen inherited a bit more scrutiny when Blaine McCorkle was named the Demons’ head coach nine months ago,

After all, McCorkle was an offensive line coach for much of his time as an assistant coach and played the position during his career.

“My very first team meeting here, one of the first things I did was have the offensive line stand up,” McCorkle said. “I made it very clear we would go as that group goes. Any team in America – whether you’re a former offensive lineman or coach – will tell you that you go as that group goes. We put a lot of pressure on those guys to perform and lead. If things are going good, it’s probably because the offensive line is playing well. If things are going bad, they’re the ones who can fix it the quickest. We put a lot of pressure on that group. With that being my background, when film comes on, my eyes naturally go there first.

“I see things there a lot quicker than in other places. That’s a good thing. We put a lot on those guys, and so far, they’re working, and I think they’ll jell and get to midseason form in the next couple of games. They’ll be a good group by the end of the year.”

Ballar, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound native of Raymond, Mississippi, was the only returning Demon offensive lineman who had started a game at Northwestern prior to last week’s season opener. He drew a pair of starts in 2021 and one in 2022.

Now in his fourth season at Northwestern after transferring from Louisiana Tech, Ballard has emerged as a leader among his peers – a trait that has been encouraged by McCorke’s new offensive staff.

“Just having this new staff really pushing us in each and every single way has been an awesome thing,” Ballard said. “One of the big things the coaches push for is for everyone to be a leader. Having the leadership within each person, holding each other accountable and take critiquing from each other is something we’ve all learned how to do throughout our summer workouts and fall camp, and we’re still learning throughout the season.”

While Ballard has become a respected voice in the locker room and along the offensive line, he has done so off the field as well.

Ballard, a fifth-year senior, is pursuing a master’s degree in health and human performance and, like many other graduate students, has assistantship duties to perform within the academic department.

“I’m serving as a T.A. (teacher’s assistant) for one of my undergraduate professors,” Ballard said. “I’m able to interact with those students and help them along the way. The more you do the better you get.”

With Ballard leading the no-longer rookie starters along the Demon offensive line, there were signs of progress at Tulsa.

Included in that was a 75-yard run by Kennieth Lacy that stands as the longest rush by a Demon since March 2021. Ahead of Saturday’s 6 p.m. home opener against Prairie View A&M, there is room for improvement for both Ballard and the line as a whole, but the first steps toward a foundation of constant, continual improvement have been laid.

“He didn’t play a perfect game against Tulsa, but he showed up to play there’s no doubt,” McCorkle said. “You watch the film, and Stevie Ballard played really, really hard. He’s the kind of guy you want to build it around – guys who are quiet, unassuming, stoic, professional, business-minded – guys who just show up and go to work. I’m really proud of what Stevie has done leading that offensive line. It’s been fun to watch him grown over the past nine months we’ve been here. As the season goes, he’s going to get better and be fun to watch.”