TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (Nov. 1, 2025) – Northeastern State officially is again a winning football program.
The RiverHawks clinched their first winning season since 2011 with a 68-0 rout of Lincoln (Calif.) on Saturday night on Gable Field at
Doc Wadley Stadium. NSU (6-3) scored its most points ever in a homecoming game and have recorded consecutive shutouts on homecoming for the first time in program history.
NSU, which won its fourth straight game, dominated Lincoln (0-8) in all phases, so much so that the second half consisted of two four-minute quarters, after the RiverHawks built a 61-0 halftime lead. NSU's 68 points ranked as the fifth-most in a game in program history and the second-highest in the modern era of NSU football, behind only a 70-point outing earlier this season against Westgate Christian (Texas).
The RiverHawks rolled up 515 yards of offense on just 47 plays – averaging nearly 11 yard per snap – and limited Lincoln to 27 yards on 34 plays. The Oaklanders managed only one first down. NSU scored on all but one of its 10 possessions – the last one, on which the RiverHawks simply ran out the clock.
Ramon McKinney Jr. had eight carries for 72 yards and three touchdowns for NSU, on runs on 9, 2 and 13 yards, and caught three passes for 58 yards, including a 35-yard scoring catch. He's now scored 15 touchdowns this season, with two games remaining.
Quarterback
Donnie Smith completed 15 of 19 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns, with backups
Carter Kopecky and
Dereun Dortch also throwing one scoring pass each.
La'Vontae Shenault caught six passes for 56 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 21-yard touchdown.
Cam Woods added four catches for a team-high 80 yards.
Cody Hoffman contributed his first touchdown catch of the season, an 8-yarder from Kopecky.
Enzo Bingham also scored for the first time this season, catching a 37-yarder from Smith.
On special teams,
Hagen Foreman returned a blocked punt 36 yards for a touchdown.
Khaden Walker recorded an interception and
Kale Brakebill finished with seven tackles to lead the RiverHawks.
Clyan Lawrence led Lincoln with four carries for 36 yards. Quarterback Jaqae Alfred completed 3 of 14 passes for minus-2 yards for the Oaklanders.
NSU's final scheduled home game will be next Saturday at 1 p.m. against McKendree (Ill.). The RiverHawks will close the regular season on Nov. 15 at West Alabama.
