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BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Northeastern State football team earned a 22-17 victory over Southwest Baptist University Saturday afternoon at Plaster Stadium.
 
The RiverHawks (2-6, 2-6 MIAA) picked up their second win in as many weeks, while the Bearcats (1-8, 1-8 MIAA) fell for the fifth-straight game.
 
Sophomore running back Joel Rockmore continues to lead the offense, and this week he recorded 169 yards rushing on a career-high 38 carries. This marked the second time in three weeks he tied his career high with three rushing touchdowns.
 
He has set a career high for carries in each of his last five games. This was also his fifth 100-yard rushing performance of the season.
 
The RiverHawks got on the board first when junior kicker Drew Patton nailed a 44-yard field goal on NSU's opening drive. Northeastern State was aided by a muffed punt by Southwest Baptist, which set the visitors up in great field position.
 
The Bearcats tied the score at 3-3 near the end of the opening stanza when John Colliver converted a 24-yard field goal.
 
Rockmore capped a seven-play, 74-yard drive with a seven-yard TD rush at the 6:52 mark of the second quarter. Rockmore recorded a 48-yard carry on the drive, which was his third-longest of the year.
 
Northeastern State entered intermission with a 10-3 advantage, marking its first lead at halftime this season.
 
Southwest Baptist capitalized on two personal foul penalties on NSU to take its opening drive of the second half the length of the field. Derwyn Lauderdale picked up the 14-yard TD reception from Dan Connors.
 
The RiverHawks would respond early in the fourth quarter when Rockmore capped a 12-play drive with a three-yard strike. The PAT was missed wide by Patton.
 
Two plays following a long kickoff return, Connors would again connect with Lauderdale for the 35-yard touchdown pass to give the home team the 17-16 edge with 9:39 to play in the contest.
 
Following a quick three-and-out for NSU, the RiverHawk defense stiffened up and forced the home team to punt. Junior cornerback Vernon Jones fair caught the ball at the Northeastern State 12-yard line with 4:48 to play.
 
Similar to last week's victory over Central Missouri, NSU would drive down the field and score the game-winning touchdown with less than two minutes to play.
 
A 17-yard rush for Rockmore and a 23-yard reception for senior wideout Chucky Bryant early in the drive set NSU up in Bearcat territory.
 
Senior wide receiver Gionni Harris drew a key pass interference penalty on 3rd-and-12 from SBU's 36, and Harris would catch a 20-yard strike two plays later to set the RiverHawks up at the one yard line.
 
Rockmore cashed in on the following play with 1:25 to play, and junior safety Victor Johnson forced an incompletion on fourth down on SBU's next drive to seal the victory.
 
Southwest Baptist outgained Northeastern State by a 327-283 margin, but NSU rushed for 191 yards and held the home team to just 41 yards rushing on 23 carries.
 
Both teams turned the ball over twice, and this was the first time all season the RiverHawks did not throw an interception.
 
Junior linebacker Langston Jones led the defense with 13 tackles and his first interception of the season. Fellow junior linebacker Jack Gray had 12 tackles. The NSU defense tallied a season-high three sacks, while the RiverHawk offensive line did not allow a sack.
 
SBU quarterback Dan Connors was 35-for-54 passing for 275 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The 54 passes were a season-high against NSU. Lauderdale had 16 catches for 125 yards and two scores.
 
Northeastern State will return to Doc Wadley Stadium for Senior Day at 2 p.m. Nov. 3 against Lincoln.  The RiverHawks will be honoring their 16 seniors prior to kickoff.
 
SCORING SUMMARY
Qtr.       Time      Team       Play                                                                                     Score
1           11:12      NSU         Drew Patton 44 FG                                                                      3-0
             00:23     SBU         John Colliver 24 FG                                                                       3-3
2             6:52      NSU        Joel Rockmore 7 run (Patton kick)                                                10-3
3           13:21      SBU         Dan Connors 14 pass to Derwyn Lauderdale (Colliver kick)            10-10
4           10:16      NSU         Rockmore 3 run (kick failed)                                                        16-10
               9:39      SBU         Connors 35 pass to Lauderdale (Colliver kick)                              16-17
               1:25      NSU         Rockmore 1 run (conversion failed)                                              22-16
 
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