WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Zac King had a career afternoon but Northeastern State couldn't dig themselves out of a 21-point first half deficit to fall 52-24 at Central Missouri on Saturday afternoon at Walton Stadium.

The NSU senior for Vinita, Okla. caught 11 receptions for 130 yards, and also had the RiverHawks second touchdown catch of the day with 1:14 left in the second half.

Despite the final score, the RiverHawks were two touchdowns back of the Mules with Cade Yeager connecting with Isaiah Upshaw to make the score 38-24 midway through the fourth quarter.  Central Missouri iced the game in the following drive using five plays to go 52-yards up the field for a touchdown with 5:59 left. 

"I thought on both the offensive side and defensive side we had a great game plan, we just had miscues at the wrong time, and that's the biggest thing that's killed us all season," said head coach Rob Robinson. 

"The kids fought and played a physical game.  Against teams like this you just got to bring it and you give up a little bit to create some havoc against a good team that has the most explosive offense in the conference and we had them shutdown but it was just one big play too many."

Yeager, NSU's true freshman quarterback from Broken Arrow, Okla. continued to grow in his six start with a career high 337 yards in the air, and three touchdowns. 

"He (Cade) is getting better at reading coverage and knowing when guys are going to be open quicker.  He is becoming a better student of the game and one of the tougher players that I have coached.  They (Central Missouri) brought more than we could block…he took some shots and battled."

Yeager connected with five different receivers and went 31-for-51 from behind the center. 

Rashawn Eubanks had Northeastern State's biggest play of the game in the opening quarter off of a 46-yard touchdown reception to tie the game at 7-7.

On the defensive side, the RiverHawks forced three turnovers with Lane Yoder having a pick in the first quarter, along with Devon Siers and La'More Wise both having fumble recoveries.  Wise paced all defenders on the field with ten tackles to bring his season total to 108.

Northeastern State had 382 yards of total offense which was their third highest total this season, Central Missouri had 720 yards on their side of the ball.   Time of possession was near even on both ends with NSU's offense on the field for just over 29 minutes. 

Central Missouri with the win over the RiverHawks is 7-3 overall and in MIAA play.

Northeastern State falls to 1-9 (1-9 MIAA) and will wrap up the season next Saturday in the Battle for the President's Cup with Central Oklahoma coming to Doc Wadley Stadium, kickoff is set for 3 p.m.