Box Score

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TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Senior wide receiver Chucky Bryant scored a career-high three touchdowns and sophomore running back Terrance Dixon added two as the Northeastern State football team defeated Lincoln University 45-21 Saturday afternoon on Senior Day from Doc Wadley Stadium.
 
The RiverHawks (3-6, 3-6 MIAA) won their third-straight game and outgained the Blue Tigers (1-9, 1-9) by a 492-363 margin. The 45-point explosion was a season-high for NSU.
 
The home team also racked up 327 yards rushing, which was the first 300-yard rushing effort from the RiverHawks since the 2002 season (Tarleton State, 367).
 
Bryant had by far the best game of his career. He entered the contest with one touchdown in his two-year career at NSU, but he finished the day with three scores. He caught four passes for 43 yards and also added a 64-yard carry.
 
Dixon rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns as he hit the century mark for the first time since the season opener. Sophomore quarterback Johnny Deaton had a season-high three passing TDs, while also rushing for a score.
 
Junior linebacker Langston Jones led the defense with 11 tackles and a sack. Junior safety Victor Johnson had 10 tackles (all solo) and his second interception of the season, and junior linebacker Jack Gray added 10 solo tackles, one tackle for loss and a pass breakup.
 
Northeastern State jumped on top early when Bryant capped NSU's opening drive with a 10-yard pass from Deaton.
 
This was the fifth-straight game Northeastern State has scored first and the sixth time in the team's last seven contests. This also marked the sixth time in 2012 that the RiverHawks were able to find points on its opening possession.
 
LU quarterback Jacob Morris answered for the road side with a nine-yard TD rush with 4:04 to play in the opening quarter.
 
Deaton again found Bryant early in the second, but the Blue Tigers drove 82 yards in just four plays on the next drive to tie proceedings. Donald Malone recorded the five-yard touchdown carry following a 75-yard pass play from Morris to Morris Henderson.
 
NSU's next possession began with Bryant's 64-yard carry, and Deaton would find the endzone himself three plays later to score the first of his team's 31 unanswered points.
 
Two plays following a quick three-and-out and the RiverHawks were again celebrating as Dixon scored on a 46-yard scamper with 5:41 to play in the half.
 
Northeastern State went into intermission with a 31-14 advantage following junior kicker Drew Patton's 36-yard field goal as the final seconds ticked off the clock.
 
Deaton threw his third TD pass to Bryant midway through the third and Dixon scored on a 15-yard carry with 1:32 to play in the quarter to give NSU a 45-14 advantage into the fourth quarter.
 
An interception return for touchdown in the fourth quarter saved the Blue Tigers from becoming another second-half-shutout victim of Northeastern State's this year, but that was the only offense the team could manage in the final 30 minutes.
 
NSU will now travel to Central Oklahoma for the season finale at 1 p.m. Nov. 10.
 
SCORING SUMMARY
Qtr.        Time      Team       Play                                                                                               Score
1             12:58      NSU           Johnny Deaton 10 pass to Chucky Bryant (Drew Patton kick)     7-0
               4:04        LU             Jacob Morris 9 run (Michael Ashley kick)                                      7-7
2             11:16      NSU           Deaton 4 pass to Bryant (Patton kick)                                           14-7
               9:10        LU             Donald Malone 5 run (Ashley kick)                                                 14-14
               7:41        NSU           Deaton 1 run (Patton kick)                                                               21-14
               5:41        NSU           Terrance Dixon 46 run (Patton kick)                                               28-14
               00:00      NSU           Patton 36 FG                                                                                   31-14
3             8:17        NSU           Deaton 9 pass to Bryant (Patton kick)                                            38-14
               1:32        NSU           Dixon 15 run (Patton kick)                                                              45-14
4             9:48        LU             Justin Fergurson 29 INT return (Ashley kick)                                 45-21
 
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