STEPHENVILLE – For the first time since the 2002 season, the Northeastern State RiverHawks won their first game of the year to spoil the Tarleton Texans' home opener, 31-23.

The loss was Tarleton's first season opening defeat since the 2006 season, and it was the first Lone Star Conference crossover victory for the RiverHawks since the 2002 season when NSU defeated Tarleton.

Texan Tidbits

- Texans outgain NSU 463 to 287. - Texans throw for 328 yards through the air while rushing for 135. - NSU throws for 193 yards and runs for 94. - NSU has 132 yards of kickoff returns with a touchdown. - Tarleton is six-of-18 in third-down conversions, NSU is six-of-17. - Tarleton records three sacks (18 yards); NSU has two (15 yards). - Nick Stephens throws for 255 yards and two scores (19-of-40 with INT). - Jeken Frye has 11 catches for 215 yards and two scores, fourth-best single receiving game in school history.

Despite outgaining the visitors by almost double the yards, the Texans failed to get onto the scoreboard enough to get the victory. Tarleton gained 463 yards, including 328 through the air and 135 on the ground while holding the RiverHawks to just 287 total yards, including 94 on the ground and 193 yards passing.

Tarleton's first two drives ended in a missed field goal (33 yards) and an interception.

The RiverHawks scored the first 14 points of the game with two field goals of 44 and 29 yards by Drew Patton. The second field goal was set up by an interception by the visitors' Trey McVay on a pass from Stephens. McVay then hit Daryn Alves for a 14-yard pass with 2:31 left in the first half to give the visitors the 14-point advantage.

Tarleton scored on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Nick Stephens to Devon Gray with 26 seconds left in the half to give cut the lead to seven heading into the break.

The RiverHawks added to their lead with a one-yard run just 1:21 into the second half to make it 24-7. However, the Texans scored the next 10 points. Jeken Frye caught a 48-yard pass from Stephens before Wiest had a 39-yard field goal to make it 24-16 with 7:02 on the clock.

On the ensuing kickoff, Nate Robinson returned the ball 95 yards to the endzone. Patton's kick made it 31-16 after 16 seconds ran off the clock.

Tarleton's Frye then caught a 60-yard pass from Aaron Doyle to score the Texans' final points. Wiest kicked the point after to give the game its final total, 31-23.

Stephens threw for 255 yards and two touchdowns and was 19-of-40. Most of the missed throws were actually dropped passes by the Texan wide receivers. Frye led the Texans in receiving with 11 receptions for 215 yards and both receiving touchdowns for Tarleton's fourth-best receiving game all-time. Evan Robertson ran the ball 16 times for 76 yards.

Brandon Johnson and Terrence Henry led the team with 10 tackles each. Jamaal Steamer led the team with three and a half tackles for a loss of minus-14 yards, including one and half sacks for minus-nine yards. The Texan defense had 10 tackles for a loss of minus-33 yards total, including three sacks for minus-19 yards.

Kenny Davis was 12-of-26 for 180 yards for NSU while McVay had three catches for 89 yards and a score. Prince McKinney had 12 carries for 55 yards to lead the visitors.

The NSU defense was led by Chris Myers with 13 total tackles, including one tackle for a loss of minus-two yards. The RiverHawks had six tackles for a loss of minus-31 yards, including two sacks for a loss of minus-15 yards.

The Texans will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 11 at Central Oklahoma at 7 p.m. in Edmond, Okla. NSU will host Abilene Christian at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11 in Tahlequah, Okla.