TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State begins a four-game road trip by facing Missouri S&T on Saturday at 6 p.m. in Rolla.

(#18/24) NORTHEASTERN STATE at
MISSOURI S&T
Saturday, Sep. 5 -- 6 p.m.
Allgood-Bailey Stadium
All-Time Series: S&T leads 3-2 -- Last meeting was Sep. 6, 2025 in Tahlequah (L, 27-24)

TOP STORYLINES

1 | Northeastern State's Saturday test at Missouri S&T serves as a significant rematch from the 2025 season. The Miners were one of just two teams to knock off the RiverHawks in Division II competition, doing so in walk-off fashion with a 43-yard field goal from Layne Ryals in a 27-24 final. The RiverHawks seek to even the home-and-home series when the program faces Missouri S&T in Rolla for the first time since 1958 this weekend.

2 | Friday's 52-0 victory over the Statesmen was the program's first season-opening shutout win since 2011. The RiverHawks held DSU to just 69 yards of total offense, the fewest surrendered to a Division II foe since 1999 and the fifth-fewest in program history, while the team's 52 points scored marked the most in a season opener since 1981. Additionally, NSU's 33 first downs during the game set a new program record.

3 | Following Friday's dominant victory, the RiverHawks moved up five spots for No. 18 in the latest D2Football.com Top 25 poll. It marks NSU's third straight appearance in the poll and the team's highest ranking since entering following last December's 56-21 win against East Central in the First Americans Bowl. Northeastern State also entered the AFCA Top 25 poll, slotting in at the No. 24 ranking in the program's first appearance in the poll since 2001.

4 | Friday's win extended NSU's win streak to eight games, the longest in program history since 1991. It remains the second-longest active winning streak in Division II football, only behind No. 1 Ferris State (31 games), who knocked off then-No. 5 Pittsburg State last Thursday (42-14).

5 | Donnie Smith guided the offensive attack to a strong showing on Friday, throwing for four touchdowns to become the second player in program history with three four-touchdown passing game during his NSU career, the other being Lynn Pattillo (1978-81). Smith has nine touchdown passes across his last two games played after his five-score performance against East Central in the First Americans Bowl in December.

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).

>> Through the team's last 10 games, the RiverHawks have eclipsed 500 yards of total offense five times. The span accounts for a third of NSU's 15 500-plus-yard performances across recorded program history. The team has surpassed 500 yards on six total occasions under Chiaverini, the most under any head coach in program history.

>> For the third time in his 13-game NSU career, Mo Foketi suited up but was not called upon to punt. The RiverHawks scored on all but two possessions in Friday's game, as it marked the 20th game with at least seven touchdowns in recorded program history and the seventh time under Chiaverini.

>> Cam Jackson immediately emerged as a top scoring threat in Friday's game, taking a 75-yard sweep to the end zone on the team's first offensive play of the season. The sophomore went on to produce 142 yards on five catches with two touchdowns, catching another score from Donnie Smith in the third quarter from 34 yards out.

>> Deuce Roberson was a steady, consistent force in the receiving game on Friday, catching a career-high nine passes and a touchdown in the winning effort. Roberson enters Saturday with 25 receptions across his last four games played, tallying 370 yards in the process with four touchdowns.

>> Jaylen Thompson showcased his versatility in his NSU debut, averaging 7.4 yards per carry across nine rushing attempts while adding three catches, including a 10-yard score on a pass from Donnie Smith in the first quarter. Thompson is in his first season in Tahlequah after transferring from McNeese State (FCS), where he averaged over five yards per carry in 2025. Thompson was a JUCO All-American prior to his NCAA career at Ventura College in 2023, a season where he collected 1,364 yards of offense.

>> NSU's depth was on display in both the air and ground attacks, as seven different players recorded catches and nine different players logged rushing attempts. Six of NSU's seven pass catchers had a reception of at least 10 yards, while all five who recorded at least four carries averaged at least 4.2 yards per carry.

>> 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 NSU's eight-game winning streak during his time as a defensive coordinator, the RiverHawks have allowed just 10.3 points per game and 222 yards per game.

>> Kale Charboneau and Khaden Walker tied for the team lead with six tackles in last Friday's victory, leading an effort where the defense kept DSU's possessions short and not-so-sweet. DSU's time of possession was held to just 17:26, the shortest for an opponent in a complete, 60-minute game across recorded program history.

>> The NSU run defense stayed strong against a DSU ground game anchored by All-GSC back Nick Clark, holding him to just 13 yards on six carries with a long of six yards. During Atwell's time as a defensive coordinator on staff, the RiverHawks have allowed just 87.8 rushing yards per game and five touchdowns.

>> Marvelous Owens picked off his eighth pass at Northeastern State and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown in the second half of Friday night's contest. Also recovering a fumble in the opening half, Owens became the first player to recover a fumble and record an interception since Jordan Lamotte did the same against Northwest Missouri in 2022.

>> Troy Nguyen had a strong start to his junior campaign, connecting on seven PAT kicks and knocking down a 48-yard field goal in the second quarter, his 17th made field goal and just one yard shy of his career high. Nguyen joins Michael Shockley (1998-2001) as the only kickers in NSU's recorded program history with four games of at least seven PAT kicks made.

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 will be 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.

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 Missouri S&T on Saturday at 6 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 MINERS

>> Missouri S&T started the program's fifth season under Andy Ball with an 89-12 victory over Westgate Christian on Saturday at Allgood-Bailey Stadium. The Miners entered the campaign returning 13 starters from last year's six-win team, which earned S&T's first winning season since 2021.

>> Eli Scott is projected to start at quarterback for the Miners and entered the season with 12 career passing attempts with the program. Truman State transfer Jake Ryan also saw time in the win over WCU, with both signal-callers operating under a Ball-led offense that saw Jake Farrell lead the GLVC in passing attempts (413) and finish second in passing touchdowns (26) in 2025.

>> The Miners return three of their top four receivers from a year ago. Sam Ryan and Tyler Gioia combined for 70 catches and 1,030 yards with seven touchdowns, while tight end Justis Braden is back after finishing just outside the GLVC's top 10 in receptions with 40 in 2025.

>> Evan Wells is back after setting a school record for most rushing yards by a true freshman (732) in 2025 en route to an All-GLVC Second Team selection. Wells missed last season's game against NSU, in which fellow returnee AJ Harris led the team with 81 rushing yards and a touchdown.

>> The offensive line brings back four All-GLVC picks from the previous season, including Second Team pick Austin Mahoney. The group played a guiding role in the offense securing its 10th-most yards in a season in school history with 4,448.

>> Christian Kemp is the team's top returner on the defensive line after finishing second with 9.5 tackles for loss in 2025. Kemp's 47 tackles led all S&T defensive linemen during the campaign.

>> The duo of Seneca Bradley Jr. (70 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles) and Cameron Sturgell (69 tackles, eight tackles for loss) anchor the defense from the linebacker spot after both received All-GLVC Honorable Mention hnors in 2025. Bradley recorded an interception in the NSU game last season.

>> S&T's projected starters in the secondary combined for 25 games played in 2025, led by Devin Dunn with 10. Dunn logged 29 tackles and two pass breakups for the season.