TAHLEQUAH -- Northeastern State returns to Tahlequah after over a month away from Doc Wadley Stadium for the Homecoming game against Texas Permian Basin.

(#15/21) NORTHEASTERN STATE vs.
(--/RV) UT PERMIAN BASIN
Saturday, Oct. 3 -- 5 p.m.
Gable Field at Doc Wadley Stadium
First meeting in all-time series

TOP STORYLINES

1 | This week's contest, which marks the first time the two programs have competed in football, features a pair of top-14 teams from the latest NPI rankings from Inkblot Sports. In the most recent rankings, UTPB ranked eighth (54.303) across Super Region 4, the highest ranking among all Lone Star Conference (LSC) teams. NSU moved up three spots from last week to No. 14 (52.036). Inkblot Sports independently calculates NPI rankings using the NCAA's published methodology, but the rankings are not official NCAA rankings or selection determinations.

2 | When the RiverHawks take the field Saturday night, the team will do so on a new-look playing surface. In September, Gable Field underwent turf renovations to provide a new look with updated branding and a focus on honoring the Indigenous roots of Tahlequah and the Cherokee Nation. Both end zones have "Northeastern State" written in Cherokee syllabary, while the updated Northeastern State RiverHawks logo is displayed at midfield.

3 | During Saturday's festivities, a recognition will take place honoring the late Kent A. Lashley. Lashley, a 2000 inductee into the Northeastern State University Athletics Hall of Fame, scored the first-ever touchdown on Gable Field in 1964 during a football career that culminated in Lashley being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs. Lashley would go on to become a successful coach in Oklahoma and received NSU's first endowed chair for teaching excellence. Lashley will be represented by his son, Kent M. Lashley, on Saturday.

4 | Stick around after Saturday evening's game as a yearly Homecoming tradition continues with a drone light show. The post-Homecoming game drone light show debuted in 2024 and has immediately gained traction as a fixture of the Homecoming football experience at Doc Wadley Stadium. 

5 | Make it to the game early Saturday and get in on the fun at the official tailgate party for the Homecoming game in The Landing Tailgate area. Enjoy the atmosphere of pregame in Tahlequah before the RiverHawks take the field in one of the biggest home games in program history. As part of the experience, Nikki + Company will be performing from 3:00-4:30 p.m. River Valley Church is The Landing Tailgate area's official sponsor.

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). 

>> NSU finished the contest against Stephen F. Austin with 395 passing yards, the most allowed by SFA since the first season of the Colby Carthel era in 2019. NSU's 30 completions were also the most allowed by the SFA defense in 13 games.

>> Despite the loss, there wasn't a shortage of explosive moments for Northeastern State's offense. Eight different receivers recorded a catch of at least 15 yards on Saturday, while six made a grab of at least 20 yards. Deuce Roberson and Jalen Richmond each had a 38-yard reception in the SFA game to tie for the second-longest offensive play of the season through five games.

>> Donnie Smith moved into second place in program history in passing yards after a 326-yard day in Texas against Stephen F. Austin. Smith passed Kenny Davis (4,332, 2008-11) and Johnny Deaton (4,405, 2011-13) on Saturday and enters the weekend with 4,473 career passing yards, behind only Lynn Pattillo (5,799, 1978-81).

>> Up to 352 completions 17 starts into his time in Tahlequah, Smith is three away from passing Davis (354) for second-most in program history and is 32 from sole possession of the program record, also held by Pattillo (383).

>> After recording eight grabs for 121 yards on Saturday, Roberson increased his streak to six games with at least seven receptions. His 121-yard total marks his third instance during the streak with at least 100 yards, while he has a touchdown in four games during the streak.

>> Mikail Trotter became the fourth different player to lead NSU in carries this season, recording 12 rushing attempts in the loss to SFA. While Trotter was limited to 27 rushing yards against a nationally-ranked Lumberjacks team, he added 53 receiving yards to finish with 80 yards of offense, the second-most on the team.

>> 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 undefeated against Division II opponents and held six opponents to 10 points or less, including two shutouts.

>> Khaden Walker led NSU with seven tackles on Saturday, also marking the senior's third straight week with at least seven takedowns. Walker is in his second season with the program after tying with Kale Charboneau for the team lead in tackles (73) in 2025.

>> Marvelous Owens added two more pass breakups against the Lumberjacks to bring his total to eight passes defended on the season. With 26 passes defended across his 17-game NSU career, Owens is four away from tying with Chauncey Leverette (30, 1991-94) and Ronnie Johnson (30, 1991-94) for fourth in program history and just five away from tying Prentis Jenkins (31, 1999-2000) in third and Vernon Jones (32, 2011-13) in second.

>> Blaine Anderson enters Saturday fresh off his second interception in three games the previous weekend. Anderson is in his first season with the program and joined NSU after most recently spending time at Southeast Missouri in 2025.

>> Mo Foketi continued to provide NSU with a strong presence at punter, with the All-American averaging 45.8 yards per punt with a long of 58 yards on Saturday. Foketi also recorded a 26-yard completion on a fake to Dekhari Dean in the first quarter of the SFA contest.

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.

ENTER TO WIN A BRAND NEW VEHICLE

>> Think you've got the arm, leg and accuracy to win a brand-new vehicle from Tommy Nix Auto Group? Sign up through the Google Form for your chance to be selected for the Tommy Nix Punt-Pass-Kick Challenge during this week's game!

One contestant will be selected one hour before the promotion, which will take place between the third and fourth quarters. The challenge requires the contestant to complete a pass, punt and kick totaling at least 120 yards under the official promotion rules.

Fill out the Google Form for your chance to compete and potentially drive home in a brand new vehicle!

ABOUT THE FALCONS

>> UTPB is in its first season under Chris Softley. Softley was hired in the offseason after a successful career in the high school coaching ranks in Texas, winning two state titles at Lubbock Christian HS. The UTPB job is Softley's first at the collegiate level since he was a graduate assistant at Abilene Christian from 2008-10.

>> The Falcons have feasted on opposing offenses through three Division II games, averaging 63.7 points per game in blowout wins over Western New Mexico, Sul Ross State and Eastern New Mexico. Across the three wins, the Falcons have averaged 509.7 yards per game and have recorded 84 first downs.

>> Nate TenBarge enters Saturday with momentum after his five total touchdowns against Eastern New Mexico last week. The junior returned to his home state after spending two seasons at Ouachita Baptist, where he tossed for 10 touchdowns and ran for eight more across 15 games played.

>> Traylen Suel has been a top target with the program's new signal-caller, TenBarge. After setting a UTPB record with 60 catches in 2025, Suel has 14 through four games in 2026 to bring his career total at UTPB up to 104 ahead of Saturday's game.

>> All-LSC selection Camden Tyler leads the team with 195 rushing yards, but he is not the sole contributor to the UTPB ground attack. The Falcons possess three rushers with at least 101 yards through four games, while every running back with at least 15 carries on the season averages at least 5.2 yards per rush.

>> After surrendering 44 points to FCS UTRGV in the opener, the Falcons have answered by allowing just 31 in the three weeks since, all against Division II competition. The defense is guided by Josh Bookbinder, who is in his first season with the program after previous stints in the Big 12 at TCU, Texas Tech and Baylor.

>> The Falcons have kept opposing rushing attacks in check for the better part of the last month, holding teams to 67 yards or fewer in two of the last three weeks.

>> UTPB's pass rush has been ferocious early in the season, picking up 14 sacks and 28 quarterback hurries. Redshirt freshman Nicholas Elko leads the team with four sacks, picking up two in back-to-back games.

>> Opponents finding paydirt in the red zone has been easier said than done against UTPB this season, as the Falcons have allowed touchdowns on just five of 12 opposing drives inside their 20-yard line, including two in the last three weeks.