#6 Stephen F. Austin State (4-0) vs. #13 (Div. II) Northeastern State (3-1)
When: Saturday, Sept. 26 at 5:00 P.M.
Where: Homer Bryce Stadium (Nacogdoches, Texas)
TV: ESPN+
Family Weekend
The Ultimate Turnaround Story
The visiting Northeastern State Riverhawks arrive in Nacogdoches in the midst of one of the greatest turnarounds in college football history. This is a program that endured 12 straight losing seasons, with many of those years generating a dismal 0 to 1 wins. When head coach Darrin Chiaverini stepped into the role in 2024, he inherited a struggling program that had won only 5 games total over the previous 6 seasons.
Chiaverini who played 4 seasons as an NFL wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, and Atlanta Falcons brought a wealth of high-level coaching experience from stints at UCLA, Texas Tech, and Colorado (where he served as Co-Offensive Coordinator, Assistant Head Coach, and Recruiting Coordinator). He immediately got to work running the Division II program like that of a Power 5 powerhouse.
Chiaverini reshaped the entire system with a relentless culture of accountability known as "GRIT," elite quarterback development, and a dominant talent acquisition strategy that brought in 13 Division I transfers.
After a foundational 2-9 season in 2024, the Riverhawks saw the fruits of their labor. They exploded for an incredible 9-3 run in 2025, capped off by winning the First Americans Bowl Championship, which earned Chiaverini the CFB Network Division II Coach of the Year honors.
The Riverhawks carry massive momentum, having won 10 straight games dating back to last year, before moving to a 3-1 record, three games into this 2026 season.
They are incredibly battle-tested against FCS programs (three if you count West Florida's recent move up), proving they can hang with anyone. Their only losses in that span were absolute battles: a 17-23 overtime loss at Northern Colorado, a 21-49 loss at North Alabama, and a tight 24-31 loss to #3 West Florida.
Key Playmakers to Watch
- Riverhawks' High-Powered Offense: Northeastern State brings a record-setting, innovative offensive attack led by NJCAA All-American quarterback #1 Donnie Smith (6-3, 215 lbs). The senior captain dominated last season, passing for 3,045 yards and 23 touchdowns with just 6 interceptions on a 71% completion rate. Smith has carried that elite form into 2026; through 4 games, he has already racked up 1,102 passing yards, 9 touchdowns, and only 2 interceptions with a 70% completion clip.
- The Riverhawk Defense: The unit is anchored by sophomore linebacker #33 Kale Charboneau (6-0, 230 lbs), who fields an impressive stat line leading the team with 35 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss (TFL), 1.0 sack, and 2 quarterback hurries (QBH).
- The Secondary: SFA's passing game will have to navigate Western Kentucky transfer and Division II All-American defensive back #0 Marvelous Owens (5-11, 195 lbs). The senior playmaker leads the team with 5 pass breakups (PBU), 1 interception, 1 forced fumble (FF), and 1 fumble recovery (FR).
Axe'Em!
"History has no rubbish heap." Louis Blake Duff
