TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State is back at Doc Wadley Stadium for a 12 p.m. kickoff on Saturday against William Jewell.

(--/RV) NORTHEASTERN STATE vs.
WILLIAM JEWELL
Saturday, Oct. 17 -- 12 p.m.
Gable Field at Doc Wadley Stadium
All-Time Series: NSU leads 1-0 -- Last meeting was Oct. 18, 2025 in Liberty (W, 35-7)

TOP STORYLINES

1 | Northeastern State returns to the field after a week off. The RiverHawks were idle following the cancellation of last week's game against West Florida in Pensacola due to the landfall of Hurricane Isaias. This week's contest against William Jewell will be NSU's only game against a Division II opponent over a span of a month, with the team's next matchup against a DII foe scheduled for Nov. 7 at McKendree in Lebanon, Ill.

2 | Despite the Homecoming loss to UT Permian Basin, the RiverHawks enter Saturday with 10 wins across their last 11 Division II games. The next-most wins over the last 11 DII games among Oklahoma Division II programs belong to Southeastern Oklahoma State with seven. NSU's win total during that stretch also exceeds the combined total of three Oklahoma DII programs (Oklahoma Baptist, Southern Nazarene and Northwestern Oklahoma State).

3 | Donnie Smith is one completion away from history, entering Saturday tied with Lynn Pattillo (1978-81) for the program record with 383 career completions. Smith tied the record in his 18th start with the program after completing 31 passes on Oct. 3 against UT Permian Basin, matching his career high and marking his sixth game with at least 26 completions. Smith also moved into sole possession of third place in NSU history with 37 career touchdown passes, passing Johnny Deaton (36, 2011-13) and Kenny Davis (35, 2008-11).

4 | Deuce Roberson delivered another strong performance against UTPB, recording 14 catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns. His 14 receptions tied for the second-most in a single game in NSU history, trailing only Trey McVay's 16-catch performance against Harding on Oct. 15, 2011. Roberson has recorded at least seven catches in seven consecutive games and ranks third in Division II with 53 receptions while leading the nation with 8.8 receptions per game. He is on pace to break the program's single-season receptions record of 82, set by McVay in 2011.

5 | In the Oct. 3 loss to UTPB, NSU's defense consistently pressured the opposing offense, recording nine tackles for loss and four sacks, season highs in both categories. The RiverHawks will look to replicate that success against a William Jewell offense that has allowed 25 tackles for loss through five games, including eight sacks.

NSU QUICK HITS

>> Darrin Chiaverini is in his third season as head coach and offensive coordinator at Northeastern State. Year two of NSU's Chiaverini-led offense saw the RiverHawks set school records in points scored (483), points per game (40.3), touchdowns (65) and yards per play (7.3). 

>> The RiverHawks look to rebound in the turnover battle after an uncharacteristically rough performance on Homecoming. NSU threw five interceptions against UTPB, marking just the fourth time in program history the RiverHawks have thrown five interceptions in a game. It was also only the fourth time NSU had lost the turnover battle across its last 18 games. The five interceptions surpassed the combined total from NSU's previous 11 games.

>> After opening the season with touchdowns on 11 of their first 14 trips to the red zone, the RiverHawks enter Saturday's matchup against William Jewell having scored touchdowns on just five of their last 12 trips inside the opponent's 20-yard line. NSU went 2-for-4 in the red zone against UTPB, throwing the first of five interceptions on its opening drive before missing a 35-yard field goal later in the game.

>> Following a 31-completion performance on Oct. 3, Donnie Smith ranks sixth nationally in completions (152) and fourth in completions per game (25.3). The RiverHawks have relied heavily on his arm, with Smith attempting 231 passes through the team's first six games. He is on pace to become just the second quarterback in program history to attempt more than 375 passes in a single season, joining Dom McKinzy, who attempted 389 in 2016.

>> With four regular season games remaining, Smith is on pace to smash his previously-set program record of 253.8 passing yards per game, averaging 300.8 entering Saturday. Across his 18-game career with the RiverHawks, Smith has averaged 269.4 passing yards per game, nearly 30 yards more than the next-highest average in program history, held by Dom McKinzy (240.1, 2016-17).

>> Cam Jackson provided an explosive complement to Deuce Roberson's 14-catch performance against UTPB, returning to the end zone on a 48-yard reception from Donnie Smith as part of an eight-catch, 94-yard outing. Through six games in the 2026 campaign, Jackson has already surpassed his production from the previous season, recording 34 receptions for 437 yards and four touchdowns.

>> NSU's ground game struggled to find consistency against UTPB on Oct. 3, finishing with 83 yards for a second straight week on 32 carries, averaging 2.6 yards per carry. The RiverHawks have averaged no more than 3.6 yards per carry in each of their last five games and have been held below 2.8 yards per carry in four contests during that stretch.

>> Jeremy Atwell is in his first full season as defensive coordinator and his third season overall on the NSU football coaching staff. Atwell was promoted to co-defensive coordinator before the team's sixth game of the 2025 season against Lincoln (Mo.). Across Atwell's 12 games as a defensive coordinator, the RiverHawks have been 10-1 against Division II opponents and held six opponents to 10 points or less, including two shutouts.

>> Kale Charboneau recorded seven tackles against UTPB, including a sack of Nate TenBarge. With four regular season games remaining, Charboneau leads the team in total tackles (48) and solo takedowns (28). He is also tied for the team lead in tackles for loss with 5.5.

>> It was a triumphant return to the field for Jordan Tolbert after a game away, as the sophomore intercepted TenBarge to record the sixth interception of his NSU career. Despite missing a contest, Tolbert ranks near the top of the secondary with 30 tackles this season. He enters Saturday with interceptions in back-to-back appearances after recording his first of the 2026 campaign against Northern Colorado on Sept. 19.

ON THE AIR

>> The 2026-27 athletics season marks the launch of the RiverHawks Radio Network, the official radio home of NSU football and basketball.

It marks the first time in 15 years where NSU Athletics programming is available in the Tulsa metro area. Listeners can hear the "Voice of the RiverHawks" Orry Phillips on the call for football and basketball games on ESPN 99.9 FM/1550 AM. Meanwhile, 97.1 The Sports Animal carries all episodes of The Darrin Chiaverini Show and The NSU Basketball Coaches Show.

All games and coaches shows can still be heard live in Tahlequah and Muskogee for the third straight season on Lakes Country 102.1.

Gameday coverage will begin one hour prior to kickoff every week.

ABOUT THE CARDINALS

>> William Jewell is in its third season under head football coach Jason Ambroson. Under Ambroson, the Cardinals are 4-1 for the first time since 1990, opening the season with wins over Kentucky Wesleyan (35-14) and Southwest Baptist (27-17) before earning close victories against McKendree (28-21) and Quincy (20-17).

>> Last week's win over Quincy marked William Jewell's first victory in the annual Battle of the Birds rivalry game since 2022, coming on a walk-off 21-yard field goal by Bleu Renfrow. Renfrow has converted 17 of 24 field goal attempts during his WJC career, with a long of 52 yards.

>> Quarterback Charlie Loose made his WJC debut on Sept. 12 against Kentucky Wesleyan after injuries sidelined 2025 starter Tyler Kubat and top backup Jake Shaffer. Loose threw three touchdowns in the 35-14 win, earning GLVC Offensive Player of the Week honors. In four games since his debut, Loose has thrown four touchdown passes and six interceptions, including three in WJC's lone loss of the season to Indianapolis.

>> Three receivers have at least 12 catches. Freshman Michael Clark leads the team in receiving yards with 221 on 12 receptions (18.4 yards per catch), and recorded a season-high 94 yards against Kentucky Wesleyan. Xavier Winston follows closely with 218 yards on 12 catches (18.2 yards per catch). His twin brother, Yasir, has recorded 18 receptions through five games.

>> Hunter Bailey has been a leading contributor to the WJC offense, ranking third in the GLVC in rushing yards per game (88.4). Bailey has totaled 442 rushing yards through five games and has recorded at least 16 carries in four consecutive contests. Ronnie Thomas Jr. rushed for 105 yards on 18 carries (5.8 yards per carry) in last week's win over Quincy and has helped the Cardinals rank third in the GLVC in rushing yards per game (162.2).

>>The William Jewell defense ranks near the top of the GLVC in several statistical categories at midseason. The Cardinals have allowed the fewest total yards per game (322) and rank second in rushing defense (108.2 yards per game), while tying for second in interceptions (nine). William Jewell held Quincy to just 92 yards in the second half to help secure the 20-17 victory last week.

>> Junior defensive end Ben Murawski was named GLVC Defensive Player of the Week after recording 11 tackles, including nine solo stops, two tackles for loss and an interception on Saturday. It was the program's second weekly defensive honor of the season, following fellow defensive end Du'Vaughn Williams' recognition after the Kentucky Wesleyan game.

>> The Cardinals have won two of their last three despite recording just 11 tackles for loss and no sacks during that span. William Jewell opened the season with 18 tackles for loss and seven sacks across its first two games.