Northeastern State RiverHawks football
The Northeastern State RiverHawks football program represents Northeastern State University, located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, in NCAA Division II college football. Under prior university names and nicknames, the team was previously known as the Northeastern State Redmen.
In 2012, Northeastern State became an all-sports member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, but its football program became an independent in August 2024. NSU's home games are played at Doc Wadley Stadium in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
Northeastern's football program dates back to 1909. The RiverHawks claim twenty-one conference championships, and appeared in four NAIA football championships in 1958, 1980, 1994, and 1995. NSU has twice qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs, in 1999 and.
The team is currently coached by Darrin Chiaverini, who began his tenure in 2024.
Conference affiliations
- 1914–1928: Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference I
- 1929–1973: Oklahoma Collegiate Conference
- 1974–1996: Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference II
- 1997–2010: Lone Star Conference
- 2011: [NCAA Division II List of NCAA Division II football programs|independent schools|NCAA Division II independent]
- 2012–2023: Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
- 2024–present: NCAA Division II independent
Championships
National championship seasons
- Conference championships
Postseason appearances
NCAA Division II
The RiverHawks have made two appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs, with a combined record of 2–2.| 1999 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals | Western Washington UC Davis Carson–Newman | W, 27–24 OT W, 19–14 L, 7–42 |
| 2000 | First Round | Mesa State | L, 21–40 |
NAIA
The RiverHawks have made nine appearances in the NAIA playoffs, with a combined record of 9–7 and two national championships.| 1958 | Semifinals National Championship | St. Benedict's (KS) Arizona State–Flagstaff | W, 19–14 W, 19–13 |
| 1980 | Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship | Angelo State Kearney State Elon | W, 10–3 W, 14–0 L, 10–17 |
| 1982 | Quarterfinals Semifinals | Ouachita Baptist Central State (OK) | W, 38–23 L, 17–28 |
| 1983 | Quarterfinals | Central Arkansas | L, 7–18 |
| 1987 | First Round | Pittsburg State | L, 0–57 |
| 1990 | Quarterfinals | Central Arkansas | L, 14–26 |
| 1991 | Quarterfinals | Central Arkansas | L, 14–30 |
| 1994 | Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship | Moorhead State Langston Arkansas–Pine Bluff | W, 14–7 W, 3–0 W, 13–12 |
| 1995 | Semifinals National Championship | Arkansas–Pine Bluff Central State (OH) | W, 17–14 L, 7–37 |
Former players
The program has had 14 NFL Draft selections, most recently Michael Bowie, an offensive lineman selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round in 2013. The program's highest draft pick was Rosie Manning, chosen 42nd overall in the second round of the 1972 NFL draft.Former NSU defensive back JoJo Polk played professionally following his graduation in 2000. In his rookie season of arena football, he tripped over a fallen receiver and slammed headfirst into the padded wall at the edge of the field. The impact broke his C-6 vertebra, leaving him unable to move his legs and temporarily without feeling in his hands. He was told that he would not be able to walk again but was nevertheless able to recover and play football again. Polk went on to play eight seasons in the Arena Football League and was named the 2001 Most Inspirational Player of the Year.