Story by
Tahlequah Daily Press, Okla.
NSU football opens season with 52-0 win over Delta State
- Story byTahlequah Daily Press, Okla.
- NSU football opens season with 52-0 win over Delta State
A touchdown on the first play of the season set the pace for Northeastern State University football.
No. 23 NSU opened the year with a statement when senior quarterback Donnie Smith dumped a touch pass to Cam Johnson , who went on to take it 75 yards to the house. They scored on the first three drives of the game to take a 52-0 win over Delta State University, Friday, Aug. 28.
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That wild run up the sidelines was the first of two touchdowns for the sophomore wideout.
"No better way to start the season," Jackson said. "We talked about it at dinner last night; I knew I was taking it home."
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Cam Jackson makes a leaping play in the end zone for his second score, Friday, Aug. 28 vs. Delta State.
That was the first of three touchdowns for Smith in the first quarter. With seven minutes left, Smith connected with Deuce Roberson for a 6-yard touchdown.
NSU and Smith closed out the quarter with a 10-yard TD to Jaylen Thompson. Jackson and Smith wrapped up the scoring for the offense in the third with a leaping catch in the front of the end zone for the duo's second TD of the game.
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NSU coach Darrin Chiaverini didn't think his team came out as good in the second quarter but fixed it by the time the third came around.
"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."
Defense was matching the offense step for step. In the first quarter, NSU recorded quarterback pressures on each of the first three first downs.
Overall, the defense was stifling and didn't allow a first down until the third quarter.
"Coach Jeremy Atwell did a great job of getting these guys ready," Chiaverini said. "I think we've recruited and developed really well, and coach Atwell just put them in the right position today. We gave him the game ball for the effort today."
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In the second quarter, the offense lost the ball for the first time on a fumble, but NSU senior Marvelous Owens had different plans. The Preseason All-American got the ball right back, recovering a fumble of his own.
That was the first of two turnovers from Owens, who went on to intercept a pass and take it to the end zone for a pick-six to cap off the game with a 45-0 win.
"It was really the defensive line," Owens said. "They were getting to the quarterback early, the linebackers were coming in and hitting them. When my opportunity came, I made the plays."
Smith exited the game at the start of the fourth quarter, being relieved by Carter Kopecky. Smith ended the first game of the season with 319 passing yards with 23 completions on 36 attempts and four touchdowns.
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Kopecky capped off the scoring, tucking the ball and rushing it into the end zone.
Jackson caught five balls for 142 yards and his two scores.
The win marks the eighth straight for NSU dating back to October of last season and starts the RiverHawks 1-0 in 2026.
"We're very happy to pick up that win," Jackson said. "Coming in, they said we were going to lose; we decided to prove them wrong."
NSU is back in action at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5 vs. Missouri S&T in Rolla, Missouri.
