TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State opened its two game home stand with a 62-17 loss to #11 Northwest Missouri at Doc Wadley Stadium on Saturday afternoon.   The RiverHawks scored 14 of their points off Bearcats turnovers in the second half to fall to 0-9 (0-9 MIAA); Northwest Missouri climbs to 8-1 with their fifth straight win.
 
The Bearcats limited the NSU offense to 193 yards with quarterbacks Jay Baker and Brice Waggle both passing for a touchdown.   Northwest Missouri put up 395 yards of offense on the RiverHawks in the first half and carried a 45-3 advantage into the intermission.
 
Northeastern State's 17 points is tied for the second most given up a Bearcats squad that was only allowing 11.4 per game heading into Saturday's contest.
 
IN THE BOX SCORE

• Mark Wheeland and Cory Jones both had their first career touchdown receptions.  Wheeland was second for the RiverHawks with three catches for 42 yards.
• Jake Pruitt in his fourth start of the season threw for 98 yards.
• On third down, NSU moved the chains once in 14 tries.
• Ja'len Evans intercepted his second pass of the season in the second quarter.
• Jean Bazile led the NSU defense with ten tackles.
• Ukoh Essang had a fumble recovery on a NWMSU punt on the six-yard line during the fourth quarter.

NOT A TYPO
Nose Tackle Eli Harvey caught an interception that led to a NSU touchdown in the third quarter.  The 335-pound sophomore grabbed the ball on a deflection off the foot of a RiverHawks defender.
 
COMING UP
The RiverHawks will wrap up its 2018 home football slate with 21st Battle for the President's Cup with rivals Central Oklahoma on Nov. 3 at 3 p.m.