TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — For the second time time this season, the Northeastern State University football team played a game that involved somebody setting a school record.

However, for the second time this year, that record ended in a loss.

NSU receiver Jarrett Byers set a school record with 22 career touchdown receptions, but the Javalinas defeated the RiverHawks, 42-14.

“We were our own worst enemy in a lot of ways and that’s what happens when you’re a young, inexperienced team,” NSU coach Kenny Evans said. “Until we grow up a little bit and get over some things mentally, it’s going to be tough.”

The RiverHawks did show some moments of brilliance, however those moments were too few and far between.

For instance, to start the second half, Curtis Mayfield intercepted the pass of Texas A&M-Kingsville;’s Billy Garza and ran it back 25 yards for the score with 13:34 to play. It put NSU on the board as they trailed at that point, 24-7.

Byer’s record-setting touchdown reception came with 14:48 left in the game when Byers took a Matt Silcox pass and ran it down field for 79 yards for the score, cutting NSU’s deficit to 35-14.

However, mistakes hurt NSU too much.

Trailing 17-0 midway through the second quarter and Kingsville backed up deep in the shadow of its own end zone, NSU appeared to have a safety as Jon Evans had Garza wrapped up and took him down in the end zone. The safety was called back however because of a face-mask penalty.

That flag turned into a 9-point swing as not only did NSU lose the two points, Kingsville ended up scoring on the play.

Kingsville’s Jereko Taylor caught an 18-yard pass from Garza with 5:50 left in the half, giving Kingsville a 24-0 lead at halftime.

NSU ended with only 201 total yards. Silcox, though he didn’t start, finished the day with 4-of-10 passing for 124 yards and a touchdown. Starter Kaelyn Woods finished with 69 yards passing on 4-of-12 and an interception.

John Kelly was NSU’s leader on the ground with just 24 yards on 10 attempts while Byers caught 5 passes for 105 yards and the touchdown.

NSU drops to 0-4 on the season as it next plays on Saturday at 2 p.m. at East Central