FLORENCE, Alabama (Sept. 13, 2025) – Northeastern State's first game against an NCAA Division I program since 2011 did not go as well as the RiverHawks might have hoped.

North Alabama, which plays in the Football Championship Subdivision of Division I, scored on all of its first-half possessions and cruised to a 49-21 win over the RiverHawks on Saturday night at Braly Stadium. The Lions are in their eighth season as an FCS program after starting as an independent in 2018. Before that, North Alabama won Division II titles in 1993, 1994 and 1995. 

NSU, playing this season as an NCAA Division II independent, avoided the shutout thanks to a 64-yard pass-and-run for a touchdown from quarterback Dereun Dortch to Ramon McKinney Jr. late in the first half. The play was the second-longest of the season by NSU (1-2) and was followed by a two-point conversion run by Deuce Roberson. 

NSU's second score came midway through the third quarter on a 46-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Donnie Smith to Roberson. It was the first touchdown pass of the season for Smith and the first scoring catch for Roberson. Smith then threw a 28-yard scoring pass to Cam Woods later in the quarter.

After a sluggish start, the RiverHawks finished with 379 yards of offense, 362 of those in the passing game, with four players (Smith, Dortch, Roberson and punter Mo Foketi) completing at least one pass. Smith completed 18 of 35 passes for 222 yards. 

McKinney and Woods each had five catches for 94 yards, with McKinney also leading NSU in rushing with eight carries for 36 yards. La'Vontae Shenault had five catches for 92 yards and Roberson had five for 64. 

North Alabama (1-2) finished with 500 yards of offense and scored on its first eight possessions. Running back Jayvian Allen carried eight times for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Three other Lions recorded a rushing touchdown, including Jalyn Daniels, who had a 36-yard scoring run. Starting quarterback Destin Wade completed 11 of 15 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. 

The Lions had built a 31-0 lead before McKinney's touchdown, but quickly answered with a score of their own to take a 37-8 halftime lead. North Alabama built its lead to 46-8, then Roberson's long touchdown catch cut into the gap. The Smith-to-Woods touchdown made it 46-21 with 3:57 left in the third quarter. 

Lloyd McIntosh and Cooper Snyder each had seven tackles to lead the NSU defense. Two of Snyder's tackles were for loss and he added a pass breakup. 

The RiverHawks will host a non-NCAA/NAIA program, Westgate Christian (Texas), on Sept. 20 on Gable Field at Doc Wadley Stadium in Tahlequah, Okla. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.