TAHLEQUAH – Cade Yeager threw for nearly 200 yards and had a pair of touchdowns in his debut but the RiverHawks would fall 65-17 to Missouri Western State on homecoming. 

The true freshman is the third NSU quarterback to start this season for Northeastern State and was expected to redshirt the year until getting the starting nod for Saturday.

With Yeager under center the RiverHawks had the edge in possession time with 31:32 minutes, something that has not happened since NSU's last win on Oct. 21 at home against Nebraska-Kearney. ­

"(There were) a lot of positive things," head coach Rob Robinson said to media after the contest.  "He [Yeager] might've held the ball a little too long, but you've got to expect that from a young kid.  I saw some bad things and some good things, but you can build on that.  (You can) get in more comfort with him next game, get our receivers in tune with him, and go from there."

Five different receivers caught passes from Yeager with Zac King and Ruben Saint Jean picking up four receptions.  Ra'Keim Abdul ran for 72 yards on the ground which was a season high for Northeastern State. 

Northeastern State's offense didn't find the end zone until the third quarter with a minute remaining where Yeager found Saint Jean on a 16-yard pass.

Isaiah Upshaw caught the RiverHawks second touchdown pass with four minutes remaining on a 17-yard pass from Yeager.

Missouri Western State led in overall yardage 470-to-299 with most of it on the ground with the Griffons having 299.  

Coleby Evans led the Northeastern State defense with nine tackles; La'More Wise had seven, with a forced fumble, and broken up pass.

Saturday's loss will send the RiverHawks to 0-5 (0-5 MIAA) and Missouri Western is now 3-2 (3-2 MIAA).

"(We've got to) get out there and fight.  I saw some good things but too many bad things," said Robinson.  "When it starts going rough, we've got some young guys and they don't know to fight through it and it's our job as coaches to (push them) past that mental barrier."

The RiverHawks will head on the road to Emporia State on Oct. 7 for their next contest at 2 p.m., the Hornets lost 53-52 at Central Oklahoma on Saturday and will come into their match up with NSU with a 2-3 record.