In the first game of the season, the Northeastern State University RiverHawks trotted out a championship-level defense. Head coach Darrin Chiaverini said so himself in the post-game huddle.
While still early, the No. 18 RiverHawks' defense came out and made a statement to take down Delta State 52-0 Friday, Aug. 28. Besides the shutout, the RiverHawks only allowed 69 yards — the least allowed to a D2 team since 1991 and fifth least in program history — recorded two turnovers and didn't give up a first down until midway through the third quarter.
"I thought our defense was a championship level tonight, and it's good to get a win," Chiaverini said. "You always want to start the season on a high note."
Through all three levels, NSU defenders stepped up vs. DSU.
Preseason All-American Marvelous Owens proved his selection by recovering both turnovers for NSU. Owens' biggest play came in the third quarter, when he stepped in front of a pass and ran up the sidelines for the touchdown in the third quarter.
While Owens' second turnover was important since it picked up points, the first swung the momentum back to the home sidelines. After NSU lost the ball on a fumble, Owens snatched it right back, forcing and recovering the fumble on his own.
"It was big for the team because it's momentum for us," Owens said. "We had just turned the ball over, so we wanted to get it back for us and put more points on the board. The key was to stay disciplined, playing and relying on the coaches' call; 11 hats to the ball every play."
Linebacker Kale Charboneau was a disruptive force, recording six tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two quarterback hits. Charboneau's two quarterback hits were a part of the three quarterback pressures on the first three Delta State drives.
Defensive lineman Khaden Walker recorded six total tackles.
Offensively, the RiverHawks matched the pace throughout the game. The season opened about as good as it could get, with a 75-yard dash for Cam Jackson's first score of the season.
Quarterback Donnie Smith dumped a touch pass off to Jackson, who ducked, dodged and broke tackles en route to an immediate 7-0 lead.
NSU piled on through the rest of the first quarter.
On the second drive, NSU tried to punch it in from the 1-yard line but was pushed back due to a penalty. One play after the foul, Smith connected with Deuce Roberson for the second score of the game.
The first quarter barrage ended with a Smith connection to Jaylen Thompson.
"That's the guy I expect to see every game and every quarter," Chiaverini said. "Donnie is a veteran, smart player and a really good leader. He has a good grasp on the scheme we are running."
The second quarter didn't go as smoothly for the RiverHawks. Despite the fumble recovery, NSU recorded only 3 points on a Troy Nguyen 48-yard kick.
After halftime, NSU thought they made good corrections for the offense. In the first drive of the second half, Smith and Jackson showed off their connection again.
Throwing to the front of his end zone, Jackson left his feet and made the falling catch to get the RiverHawks back on the leaderboard.
"That corner was on me all game, and we felt like we could get something on him," Jackson said. "Coach and I went over at halftime and we just called it up; it was just go and win from there."
Owens' pick-6 came through on the next DSU drive, leaving no reason to put the starting offense back in. Smith, Jackson and most of the rest of the first unit gave way to the second team to finish out the game for the 52-0 win.
"I was pleased with how we finished the game; I wasn't happy with the second quarter," Chiaverini said. "I thought we weren't very clean and had our opportunities to build a big lead."
Offensively, NSU picked up 519 total yards with 33 first downs. On defense, they only gave up four first downs.
The win moved the RiverHawks from the No. 23 rank to 18th by D2football.com .
NSU is back in action at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5 at Missouri S&T.
