By JEREMY SHORT
TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — The President’s Cup will be on the line Saturday when the RiverHawks travel to Edmond to take on rival Central Oklahoma.
“It’s a game that’s become a big, serious rivalry in the state,” said RiverHawks coach Kenny Evans.
In addition to the President’s Cup, the game also has implications in the Lone Star Conference North Division. UCO (3-7, 2-2 LSC North) and NSU are both 2-2 in the division and trail Southeastern Oklahoma and Texas A&M-Commerce.; With an SEOSU loss, the winner of the game would have a chance to tie for second place.
“We [NSU and UCO] are a lot alike,” said Evans. “But I don’t know if stats matter when UCO and NSU play.”
The Bronchos are coming off a 42-25 victory over East Central last week. Their other LSC North victory was against the team the RiverHawks also beat, Southwestern Oklahoma State.
Northeastern State (2-8, 2-2 LSC North) has lost three straight games, including a 66-23 loss to West Texas A&M; last week. The RiverHawks two division wins are also against SWOSU and East Central.
“The only different factor between the teams is they beat West Texas and we didn’t,” said Evans.
The Bronchos, who average 24 points a game, are led the senior backfield of quarterback Brandon Noohi and running back Jason Palmer. Noohi is third in the conference in total offense and Palmer leads the LSC in rushing yards per game.
“They have kind of hit their groove offensively,” said Evans.
The Northeastern State defense, after allowing just one touchdown in a three-game stretch earlier in the season, has been suspect the past few games and have allowed at least 42 points in the last three contests.
“When we look at film, when one guy makes a mistake and sometimes one little mistake leads to a big play,” said Evans. “We have to guard against the big play. We have to play field position football and make teams earn every yard.”
On the other side of the ball, the RiverHawks offense will be led by junior Patrick Cook this week. Junior Woody Wilson and sophomore Kenny Davis will both be unavailable due to injury. Cook passed for 136 yards and two touchdowns last week against WTAMU.
“This is his chance,” said Evans. “Hopefully we’ll be able to do some things offensively.”
Central Oklahoma is allowing opponents an average of 33 points a game this season. They do, however, lead the conference in interceptions with 19 are second in turnover margin.
Sophomore defensive back Giorgio Durham has led the defense and the conference with seven of those interceptions.
“Last year, we turned the ball over six times in the first half,” said Evans. “This year, our chances are dependent on not turning the ball over and we have to be productive on offense.”
NSU and UCO have split the last ten meetings with the Bronchos winning 24-13 last season. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. in Edmond.
