RiverHawks Open Against Tech

The Game: Northeastern State will launch its 2009 and 96th season of collegiate football Thursday night at Doc Wadley Stadium when it plays host to nationally-ranked Arkansas Tech Wonderboys of the Gulf South Conference. Kickoff at Doc Wadley Stadium/Gable Field in Tahlequah is 7 p.m.

The RiverHawks begin their second season under head coach Kenny Evans, who brought in 58 new players (freshmen and transfers) for the 2009 season and an optimistic outlook for the season.

"The biggest thing to me is the night and day difference from a year ago," said Evans. "You don't go through (eight straight) losing seasons without something being wrong. A lot of things needed to be changed. The only thing that made it difficult I wasn't able to bring in a staff on the same page as me (last season). We were able to do that at end of last year. I've got the coaches I want and that will carry onto the field."

Evans returns 17 lettermen on offense and 14 on defense from last season's 1-10 squad, but is expecting a much better outcome heading into his second season at the helm.

Of the 17 offensive lettermen back, seven are returning starters and five on the defensive side of the football.

The opener ia tabbed ROTC/Veterans Appreciation and Cherokee Nation night. All verterans showing a military idea will be admitted free. Chad Smith, principal chief of the Cherokee Nation will also be in attendance.

Coaches: The RiverHawks are coach by Kenny Evans, who is entering his second season ( Northeastern State, 1982). Evans was 1-10 his first season. Evans will be joined by three new coaches on the staff Brad Cornelsen (Missouri Southern/2000/Offensive Coordinatior, David Morgan (University of North Texas/2000/offensive Line) and Beau Davidson (University of North Texas/2006/defensive line). Matt Hodgson (Northwestern Oklahoma State/1996) is the lone hold over from the previous staff is Recruiting Coodinatior and defense. Graduate assistants are John Murray, strength and conditioning and linebackers, is completing degree requirements at Northeastern State. Murary is joine by Kyle Woods (Northeastern State) receivers, Courtney Lattimore (East Central University) tight ends, Kyle Payne (University of Arkansas) running backs, and Rob Haubbs (Clearwater, Fla., Christian College) defensive backs.

Arkansas Tech enters its season opener under head coach Steve Mullins, who is beginning his 13th year at Tech. Mullins has compiled a 76-51-0 (.598) mark over 12 seasons as head coach of the Wonderboys. The assistant coaches are Jeff Byrd (Mississippi State/1989) Defensive Coordinator, Scott Preston (Valdosta State/1994) Offensive Coordinator., Les Boyum (Augsburg/1982), Clint Reed (Arkansas Tech/2001), Garren Rockwell (Ark. Monticello/2004. Ryan Wallace (Henderson State/2001.

CONTACTS: Northeastern State coaches and student-athletes are available for interviews weekly until Tuesday at 1 p.m.. No interviews will be granted until the compeletion of that week's game. Contact: Scott Pettus (pettusr@nsuok.edu) or (918) 444-3955. The Northeastern State fax line is (918) 458-2339. For Arkansas Tech coaches and student athletes contact Ben Greenberg (479) 968-0645. The ATU fax line is (479) 964-0829.

SEASON OPENERS: The RiverHawks are 54-32-10 all-time in season openers. The 40th meeting between Northeastern State and Arkansas Tech will mark the 17th time the schools have squared off to open a season. The RiverHawks are 6-10-1 against the Wonder Boys in the openers dating back to the first meeting in 1924.

THE SERIES: The series has taken on a very competitive spirit between the two institutions with the final margin of victory in three of the last four meetings being a touchdown or less. The series is deadlocked at 19-19-2 after the Wonder Boys won last year's contest 22-3.

OFFENSES: Northeastern State/spread/returning starters 7. Arkansas Tech/spread/ returning starters 7.

DEFENSES: Northeastern State/Multiple/ returning starters 5. Arkansas Tech 3-5-3/returning starters 8.

LAST SEASON: A year ago at Throne Stadium in Russellville, the Riverhawks led 3-2 at the half on Jared Homer's 43-yard field goal. However, the Wonder Boys scored 20 unanswered points in the second half to get the win. Tech's Cole Barthel scored on a 1-yard run in the third quarter, while Joby Hills ran for 6-yard TD and Daryl Adams caught a 3-yard TD reception from Barthel in the fourth period.

NSU ON THE AIR: RiverHawks' football can be heard on Lakes Country 102.1 FM with Bill Huddleston calling the play-by-play. The Sports Animal, 97.1 FM in Tulsa, re-broadcasts each game on Saturday night beginning at 10 p.m. Live audio of the game can also be heard on the Northeastern State Athletics web site at http://GoRiverHawksGo.com. Please click on the football section and follow the links to the live gameday audio.

UP NEXT: Northeastern State jumps into Lone Star Conference play next Saturday (Sept. 5) when the RiverHawks host Tarleton State at 7 p.m. at Doc Wadley Stadium.

RIVERHAWK TALK: Northeastern State University hosts an hour-long talk show each Sunday from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. on 97.1FM The Sports Animal in Tulsa. Each show spotlights events and activities within the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at Northeastern State. If you are outside the listening area, the show is aired via the Internet at http://sportsanimaltulsa.com. The shows also can be heard on podcasts on the Northeastern State Athletics web site at http://GoRiverHawksGo.com.

The Lone Star Conference is producing an in-game live scoreboard of all LSC games during the 2009 football season. Please click here to access the LSC Scoreboard.