Northeastern State University joined the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association(MIAA) in July, after being an independent for one year following their departure from the Lone Star Conference in 2010. The RiverHawks' welcome to their new conference home, generally regarded as the SEC of NCAA Division II football, looked daunting, to say the least, on paper. A home date against defending national champions, and #1 ranked, Pittsburg State Thursday night at Doc Wadley Stadium. A decent-sized crowd of 3,527 filled the 12,000 seat stadium, and they witnessed the Gorillas' well-executed offense move at will, en route to a 41-20 loss for NSU.
Pitt State took the opening kickoff and marched downfield mixing option runs with screen passes from the Wing T/Pistol setups, quarterback Anthony Abenoja found John Brown on a seven yard touchdown pass with 9:01 to go in the first quarter. Northeastern countered this three minutes later with a 49 yard run by sophomore tailback Terrence Dixon, the extra point try failed. SO defensive back Chandler Barr halted the Pitt attack next drive with an interception, but nothing could be made from the pick, the first fifteen minutes ended with the score Pitt State 7, Northeastern 6. PSU's Tillman pounded his way into the end zone from six yards away with four minutes gone in the second, going up 14-6. Dylan Beers recovered a fumble on a Pitt return of his punt, but again, the 'Hawks couldn't capitalize. Abenoja found Brandon Ledgeworth on a three-yard pass with thirty seconds to play in the half, and the Gorillas held a 21-6 lead going into halftime.
Sibold blasted his way through the NSU line from four yards out with 12:37 to go in the third, RiverHawks quarterback Johnny Deaton's rough start continued, after going 2-for-12 in the first half, he threw a pick inside the red zone to Pitt's Riley, the ensuing drive was capped off by a 29 yard field goal from Frezelle. It took just three plays and 68 yards to answer that score, Deaton fired a thirty yard strike to senior receiver Jermaine Sherman with 3:01 left in the quarter, Daniel Bond added the extra point. The Northeastern offense had some strong drives in the second half, just the results weren't always there. SO WR Prince McJunkins recovered the onside kick, a strong drive was pulled up short with an interception. Forty seconds later, though, SO DB Kyler Harris returned the favor, and the 'Hawks had possession at the Gorilla 28. The third quarter ended with the home team trailing 31-13, the fourth began with a 47-yard Bond kick that drifted wide right. Pittsburg State took advantage, slamming their way forward; an Abenoja pass was tipped by an NSU linebacker, but the carom dropped right into Brown's hands for a touchdown. Dixon ran into the end zone from 29 yards away fifty-two seconds later, the final score of the game came from Frezelle's foot on a 37-yard field goal with 5:55 to play. Trying to score one last time, another interception was thrown, and that sealed the game, with the #1 Pittsburg State Gorillas taking the 41-20 victory over the Northeastern State RiverHawks.
On offense, Abenoja was 26-for-41 and 382 yards with 3 TDs, 2 INTs, Jeremy Spradling led the rushing attack with eight carries for 56 yards, Brown was the team's leading receiver with ten catches for 146 yards and 2 TDs. For NSU, Deaton was 15-for-38 for 242 yards with one TD and 3 INTs, Dixon had fourteen carries for 132 yards and 2 TDs, Sherman caught five passes for 76 yards and a TD, Victor Williams led the way on defense with eight tackles.
In other MIAA action, Truman's Bulldogs topped Southwest Baptist 24-14, the #18 Missouri Western Griffons prevailed over Central Missouri 38-26, #20 Washburn was victorious over Nebraska-Kearney, the Ichabods won 24-14 over the Lopers; the Lions of Missouri Southern survived a late scare to finish off Central Oklahoma 25-20, Emporia State's Hornets stung Ft. Hays State to the tune of a 41-18 beatdown, and #3 Northwest Missouri State won a non-conference game as the Bearcats destroyed East Central 33-3. The newest members of the 15-team league have a 0-3 record so far.
Up next for Pittsburg State(1-0, 1-0 MIAA) is a home game at 6:05 p.m. Sept 8 against Central Oklahoma(0-1, 0-1 MIAA), while the RiverHawks(0-1, 0-1 MIAA) will travel to Joplin, MO on Sept 8, where Missouri Southern(1-0, 1-0 MIAA) awaits in a 6 p.m. matchup.
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