RiverHawks Respectable Against WTAMU

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. --- Northeastern State stood toe-to-toe with No. 9-ranked West Texas A&M on Saturday before falling 34-22 in a Lone Star Conference crossover game at Wadley Stadium.

The RiverHawks fell to 2-3 overall and 2-2 in the LSC. WT improved to 4-1 and 3-0.

Nathan Slaughter caught a four-yard TD pass from Taylor Harris to put the Buffs ahead 27-16 heading into the fourth quarter. The 60-yard drive was kept alive when Harris hooked up with Kelvin Thompson on a 31-yard swing pass on a fourth-and-14 situation from the RiverHawks' 35.

However, Northeastern State responded midway through the final period when quarterback Kenny Davis and wide receiver Trey McVay hooked up on a brilliant 58-yard rainbow. The 2-point PAT effort was no good leaving the RiverHawks with a 27-22 deficit with 7:40 left.

On WT's next possession, Lance Ratliff fumbled after gaining 43 yards on a pass and Ryan Keenom recovered giving Northeastern State a chance to take the lead with just over seven minutes remaining. The RiverHawks moved the ball from the 28 to the 46 before the drive stalled, and four plays later Thompson ran in from 37 yards out to seal the victory.

Drew Patton kicked a pair of first half field goals around a Thompson TD run in the first half as the Buffs led 7-6. Sergio Castillo added a 21-yard field goal and Thompson ran in from five-yards out with 2:11 to go in the half for a 17-6 West Texas A&M lead.

However, Davis threw the first of two TD passs of the afternoon with :39 to go and the Buffs led 17-13 at intermission.

Despite giving up 494 total yards to WT, Northeastern State's defense played well. Travis Boswell logged 10 tackles, including three quarterback sacks, , while Marquin Watts also had 10 stops, a fumble recovery and broke up a pass.

Davis was 15-of-31 for 200 yards, but the RiverHawks managed just 72 rushing yards on the day. Thompson had 106 for West Texas A&M and Harris was 27-of-47 for 383 yards.

Northeastern State will return to LSC North action next week by hosting Texas A&M-Commerce in a 2 p.m. start in the RiverHawks annual homecoming game.