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TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Northeastern State football team fell 48-3 to No. 22 Washburn University Saturday evening at Doc Wadley Stadium.
 
The RiverHawks (0-3, 0-3 MIAA) held the Ichabods (3-0, 3-0 MIAA) to their lowest point total of the season, as they were averaging 56 points per game entering the contest.
 
The home team also tallied five pass interceptions, which were the most for NSU in the modern era. Those with INT's were sophomore safety Kyler Harris (2), junior cornerback Chandler Barr, redshirt freshman safety Darrain Winston, and true freshman linebacker Carson Smallwood.
 
On top of his career-high two interceptions, Harris also added a personal-best 13 tackles and two pass breakups. Joining him with 13 stops was senior linebacker Langston Jones.
 
NSU was outgained 370-159, but the RiverHawks won both the turnover (5-4) and the time of possession battle (32:41-27:19) for the first time this season. WU averaged 5.3 yards per play, while NSU averaged just 2.2.
 
Washburn took advantage of great field position all evening, as the team's average starting position was midfield. Northeastern State's average starting field position was its own 21-yard line. Despite the huge disparity in field position, the RiverHawk defense was able to hold Washburn to just three points in the first quarter.
 
However, in a span of just 1:18 early in the second, the Ichabods scored 21 points after NSU threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. The huge momentum shift was all the visiting side needed to stay on top and cruise to victory.
 
Sophomore quarterback Thor Long finished 10 of 34 for 106 yards and three interceptions. Junior running back Terrance Dixon had 23 yards rushing on 17 carries, and sophomore Jordan Robinson had two receptions for 43 yards. Junior Dylan Beers punted 11 times for 394 yards (35.8 average).
 
Washburn scored four offensive touchdowns, one defensive touchdown and one special teams touchdown.
 
The RiverHawks will now travel to Emporia, Kan., on Sept. 28 for a 1 p.m. game against Emporia State University
 
SCORING SUMMARY

Qtr.	Time	Team	Play	Score
1	6:42	WU	Justin Linn 40 FG	3-0
2	12:01	WU	Donnie Lockhart 4 run (Linn kick)	10-0
	11:38	WU	Lockhart 27 run (Linn kick)	17-0
	10:43	WU	Bryce Atagi 35 INT return (Linn kick)	24-0
	3:53	WU	Linn 21 FG	27-0
3	10:18	NSU	Drew Patton 30 FG	27-3
	4:09	WU	Jaime Myers 69 punt return (Linn kick)	34-3
4	12:05	WU	Mitch Buhler 26 pass to Tore' Hurst (Linn kick)	41-3
	9:19	WU	Joel Piper 3 pass to Brad Gourley (Linn kick)	48-3

            
Northeastern State Coach Kenny Evans…
Statement…
"Everybody knows we were banged up. We have eight starters that are out for the season. That's no excuse because we've got some good backups, but they're just young. They need experience. Thor is getting experience on the run. I thought he did some good things, but obviously he did some bad things. I told the team that if we don't turn the ball over, we would have had a chance. They turned it back over to us a few times, but we weren't able to take advantage. They are a good football team, that's why they're ranked in the top 25 and that's why they're averaging eight wins a season. They are very well-coached."
 
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