TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State concludes the regular season road schedule on Saturday against McKendree.

(--/RV) NORTHEASTERN STATE at
McKENDREE
Saturday, Nov. 7 -- 1 p.m.
Leemon Field
All-Time Series: NSU leads 1-0 -- Last meeting was Nov. 8, 2025 in Tahlequah (W, 44-10)

TOP STORYLINES

1 | Northeastern State enters the homestretch of its regular season schedule with its road finale at McKendree. The RiverHawks remain in the postseason conversation, albeit from outside of the current playoff picture. Entering the week, NSU sits 32nd nationally and 12th in Super Region 4 in the NPI rankings, dropping one spot from the previous week. The four conference champions in each of the four Super Regions receive automoatic bids, while the top four non-champions in each Super Region's NPI rankings earn at-large bids. 

2 | The RiverHawks will ride into Illinois off of one of the program's strongest offensive performances in program history. NSU accumulated 676 yards of total offense with 37 first downs against Langston on Saturday, both being program records. The effort was fueled by 389 rushing yards, which ranks just outside the top 10 across program history in single-game rushing performances. Mikail Trotter (109 yards) and Jordan Schelling (107) also became the first NSU duo to each collect at least 100 rushing yards in a game since 2021, as well.

3 | NSU's 59-point effort against the Lions last Saturday tied for the 10th-most points scored in a single game in program history, matching an identical 59-point showing against Slippery Rock on Dec. 7, 1963. Among the top 11 scoring performances in program history, three have occurred during the Chiaverini era, while NSU's 111 points in the last two games mark the team's fifth two-game stretch with at least 100 scored under Chiaverini.

4 | The RiverHawks saw a complete performance from the defense against Langston, shutting out the Lions in the first half and limiting them to just 252 yards across the day. 10 different players contributed to a tackle for loss, led by Kale Charboneau with two. The unit will now set its sights on a McKendree team that has surrendered just five tackles for loss in the last two games, yet also allowed 10 to a common opponent in Missouri S&T on Oct. 17.

5 | Sim Kilpatrick became the fourth player to reach two interceptions on the season with a first quarter grab against a Steele Wasel pass. It marks the second straight season that at least four defenders have recorded at least two interceptions after the team hadn't done so previously since 2013.

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). In their third season of Chiaverini's offense, the RiverHawks have increased their passing average by 11.6 yards per game. Through Chiaverini's first 31 games at NSU, the RiverHawks have scored at least 50 points nine times.

>> Despite attempting just 34 passes over the last two games, Donnie Smith remains on pace to break his own program record with 284.6 passing yards per game, a mark that is 12th nationally. Smith is also tied for ninth in Division II in completions per game (22.4) and ranks 13th in completion percentage (67.5%).

>> Mikail Trotter enters Saturday with a touchdown in three straight games and at least 100 rushing yards in two straight. He is the first true freshman with back-to-back 100-yard performances on the ground since Ramon McKinney Jr. in 2024.

>> Jordan Schelling has reached the end zone in five of his first seven games with the program, while Saturday marked his first 100-yard rushing performance with 107 yards against Langston last Saturday. Schelling has received 13 carries in back-to-back games and continues to lead the team in carries (84), rushing yards (375) and touchdowns (six).

>> Cam Jackson continued to provide an explosive element to the passing attack on Saturday, recording a 57-yard reception against Langston. Jackson's receptions account for the three longest offensive plays of the season for Northeastern State and four of the team's five.

>> Deuce Roberson gained sole possession of third on catches in a single season across program history after logging five receptions on Saturday. Roberson's 60 catches are just behind La'Vontae Shenault (75, 2025) and Trey McVay (82, 2011) for the most in a campaign, while his 149 career catches are inside the top three across program history, too.

>> 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 15 games as a defensive coordinator, the RiverHawks have been 11-1 against Division II opponents and held eight opponents to 10 points or less, including two shutouts.

>> In the last two games, the RiverHawks have held opponents to just 424 yards (212 per game) and 4.1 yards per play. Opposing quarterbacks have faced particular difficulty against the defense, completing just 16-of-39 attempts during that span.

>> With two regular season games left, Kale Charboneau leads the team with 57 tackles (34 solo) and 7.5 tackles for loss. Charboneau has a tackle for loss in five games this season, including two of his last three.

>> Braylon Hardrick led NSU in tackles last Saturday with seven against Langston, including 1.5 tackles for loss. In his third season with the program and his first as a starter, Hardrick leads all defensive linemen on the roster with 43 tackles, while his seven tackles for loss ranks second on the team. Hardrick also has a quarterback hurry in three of the last four games.

>> Mo Foketi is on pace to break his own program record with 49.3 yards per punt with two regular season games left. His opportunities have been limited in 2026, as the RiverHawks have punted just 13 times through eight games and have not punted in either of their last two contests.

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 begins one hour before kickoff every week.

WATCH PARTY

>> When the RiverHawks are on the road, Emery's Grill (409 N Muskogee Ave) in downtown Tahlequah is the official watch party destination to take in all the action. Come cheer on the RIverHawks this week as they face McKendree on Saturday at 1 p.m. in a welcoming game-day atmosphere with alumni, fans, and community members. We look forward to seeing you as we come together to support RiverHawks football! 

ABOUT THE BEARCATS

>> The Bearcats are in season three under Jason Rejfek. Rejfek served as an assistant at his alma mater from 2018-23 before being named interim head coach before the 2024 season and having the interim tag removed after the season. The Bearcats most recently recorded a winning season in 2018 and have seen three of six losses in 2026 occur by one score.

>> Quarterback Kendrick Lyons leads the GLVC in passing yards (2,461) and is tied for the league lead in passing touchdowns (21). 11 of his 21 passing scores have occurred in the last four games, a span of which Lyons has eclipsed 300 passing yards on three occasions.

>> Kendric Johnson is the top receiver for McKendree entering the final stretch of the regular season. The freshman leads the team with 41 catches for 662 yards and five touchdowns, highlighted by a 10-catch, 152-yard, two-touchdown performance in his third game with the program against UIndy on Sep. 19. Johnson reached triple digits in receiving yardage again last week against Upper Iowa, recording 130 yards on seven catches with another score.

>> Five of Kamren Schumacher's 15 catches have gone for scores this season, including two against Upper Iowa and four in McK's last three. The tight end also has multiple grabs in four straight, with a season high of four against the Peacocks last Saturday.

>> McKendree's rushing attack is eighth of nine teams in the GLVC in yards per game (127.6) and seventh in touchdowns (12). The team is led by Jerry RIchardson, who has 709 rushing yards and six touchdowns through nine games. The junior is fifth in the GLVC among qualified backs in yards per carry (5.5) and has seen a heavy workload throughout the season, recording at least 12 carries in seven straight and at least 20 in three games during that span.

>> While McKendree's defense ranks eighth in the GLVC in scoring defense (37.7 points per game) and last in total defense (437.4 yards per game), the Bearcats have shown improvement in recent weeks. The unit has held two of its last three opponents to fewer than 300 yards of total offense, while opposing quarterbacks have completed just 52.7% of their passes (39-of-74) for 453 yards (151 per game) during that span.

>> Nick Bova leads McKendree with 82 tackles this season, adding 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks during his senior campaign. The 2025 All-GLVC Second Team selection has recorded at least 10 tackles in four games this season, including three of his last four, and enters Saturday with 251 career tackles.

>> The Bearcats have recorded just one interception, coming against Quincy on Oct. 3. Johnnie Robinson secured it and ran it back 64 yards.