JOPLIN, Mo. – A season high 508 yards of offense was not enough in a 24-19 loss for the RiverHawks on Saturday evening at Missouri Southern State.
Craig Davis gave a highlight reel career performance for NSU with 170 yards on the ground and a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Northeastern State who falls to 0-8 overall and in MIAA play nearly rallied back with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Missouri Southern (1-7, 1-7 MIAA) halted a NSU drive in the final minute of the game for the win.
IN THE BOX SCORE
- The RiverHawks had 32 first downs, their most since Nov. 9, 2013 at Lincoln.
- Jake Pruitt went 25-for-48 with 284 yards in the air in his third start of the season.
- Jean Bazile led the RiverHawks' defense with 12 tackles.
- Davis had 24 carries and caught three passes for 20 yards.
- RiverHawks passed more than they rushed for the first time this season.
- Missouri Southern did not have a sack on a NSU quarterback.
HOW IT STARTED
Northeastern State had to dig themselves out of a 14-0 hole after allowing the Lions to score on their first two drives. 175 of Missouri Southern's 325 total yards of offense happened within the first 15 minutes of play.
TURNING POINT
Trailing 24-19 with under four minutes left in the contest, the RiverHawks came up empty in the red zone with the ball on the four-yard line on a fresh set of downs.
PERFORMANCES TO HIGHLIGHT
- Davis' 170 rushing yards was the most since Joel Rockmore who had 116 yards on Nov. 14, 2015 at Lindenwood.
- Jordan Prince had two interceptions for the RiverHawks including one that was in the MSSU end zone in the second quarter.
COMING UP
Northeastern State returns home for the next two weeks. The RiverHawks will host Northwest Missouri on Oct. 27 at 2 p.m., and then play for the President's Cup against rivals Central Oklahoma the week following.
