From NSU Sports Info.
Cedrique Flemming, Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations
WARRENSBURG, Mo. – The Northeastern State football team lost 54-10 to Central Missouri Saturday afternoon at Walton Stadium.
The RiverHawks (2-6, 2-6 MIAA) saw their brief two-game win streak halted, while the Mules (6-2, 6-2 MIAA) won their fifth in a row. They were also celebrating their Homecoming.
Senior running back Joel Rockmore finished the contest with 119 all-purpose yards (61 rush, 55 kick return, three receive) and became NSU’s all-time leader in career all-purpose yards. He now has 4,027 and is the first player in school history to surpass the 4,000-yard barrier. He broke Trey McVay’s previous school record of 3,985 yards.
Junior quarterback Kevin Pantastico finished 10-of-17 passing for 147 yards and one score. Senior wide receiver Garrett Powell caught the TD pass and finished with four receptions for 73 yards.
The RiverHawks were outgained 607-218. The Mules led in passing 301-163 and rushing 306-55. They also held advantages in time of possession (33:02-26:58) and turnovers gained (5-2).
NSU will return home for the team’s Homecoming game, which will be against rival Central Oklahoma at 1 p.m. Oct. 31 at Doc Wadley Stadium.
GAME NOTES
- Northeastern State lost its third-straight game to Central Missouri but still leads the all-time series 9-3.
- Senior running back Joel Rockmore made his team-leading 32nd career start. He has also now played in a team-high 39 career games.
- Rockmore finished the game with 119 all-purpose yards (61 rush, 55 kick return, 3 receive). He now has at least 100 all-purpose yards in each of the last four games, and he has reached the 100-yard plateau six times this season.
- Rockmore broke the school record for career all-purpose yards in the game, becoming the first player in school history to reach 4,000 yards (4,027). He broke the previous record of 3,985 yards held by Trey McVay.
- Four of the five offensive line starters for Northeastern State have started all eight games this season. Those are: Brian West (LG), Brian Hobbs (C), Lance Cox (RG) and Tyler Easter (RT). Jordan Baldwin made his sixth start at left tackle. Dakota Ritchie has earned the other two starts at LT for NSU.
- Junior quarterback Kevin Pantastico recorded his 17th career passing touchdown in the first quarter. He is now tied for fourth most in a career in NSU’s NCAA era (since 1996). Pantastico has thrown a touchdown in three straight games and in six of his seven starts this season.
- Senior wide receiver Garrett Powell caught the touchdown and is now tied for fifth on NSU’s receiving TD chart with eight.
- NSU allowed a punt return for touchdown for the first time since Sept. 21, 2013.
- The 34-7 halftime deficit was the second largest NSU has faced this season. The largest was 42-7 against Emporia State on Sept. 26.
- Redshirt freshman defensive end Quincy Dotson had a career-high three sacks. He recorded the most in a game by an NSU defender since Travis Boswell had three on August 27, 2011.
- NSU now has 22 sacks as a team this season, which is the most since the team recorded that same number in 2010.
- True freshman defensive end Curtis Foley had a season-best seven tackles.
- Junior kicker Eddie Garcia made a field goal late in third quarter from 27 yards. He has now made four of his last five attempts this season.
- Junior linebacker Kenneth Davis recorded his second interception of the year in the third quarter. He is now the first NSU player with multiple INT’s this year.
- The Mules had three different quarterbacks throw a touchdown.
- Redshirt freshman safety Devon Siers had a team-high 10 tackles and broke double digits in tackles for the second time this season.
- UCM finished with 607 yards of total offense (301 passing, 306 rushing). The Mules were also the opponent to register at least 600 yards of total offense against NSU (Oct. 26, 2014).
- The RiverHawks tied their season low with 11 first downs.
- Central Missouri wide receiver Jaylen Zachery was held to just four catches for 73 yards. The MIAA’s leading receiver was held to his second-lowest output of the season.