TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State will open its football season ranked No. 23 nationally, which was revealed on Monday evening by D2Football.com.

The RiverHawks are the only NCAA Division II team ranked in Oklahoma and are coming off a 9-3 campaign in 2025.  The online publication previously put defensive back Marvelous Owens and quarterback Donnie Smith on its preseason Elite 100 watch list.  

The D2Football.com Top 25 Poll is determined by votes from staff members of D2Football.com, along with carefully selected members of the Division II media.

NSU kicks things off on August 29 with a first-time meeting with Delta State in Tahlequah for a noon kickoff at Doc Wadley Stadium.