By: Ryan Luttrell, Athletics Communication Director
ROLLA, Mo. — Missouri S&T Football will host No. 18 Northeastern State Saturday in a rematch of last season's thrilling contest. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Allgood-Bailey Stadium.
This Week's Promotions
About the Miners
Missouri S&T finished 6-5 last season, its best record since 2021, and the Miners enter the 2026 campaign with plenty of experience returning on offense. S&T brings back 10 of its 11 offensive starters while adding several exciting new pieces to its defensive unit.
The Miners threw for 3,138 yards last season, the most in the Andy Ball era. Graduate Jake Farrell (Scottsdale, AZ/Notre Dame Prep) accounted for more than 94% of that production in 2025, with senior Eli Scott (Louisville, KY/Eastern) now stepping into the starting quarterback role.
S&T returns five of its top six touchdown scorers from a year ago, including wide receiver Reid Weber (St. Charles, MO/Francis Howell), who led the team with eight touchdowns. Weber also paced the Miners with 560 receiving yards, followed by fellow returners Sam Ryan (Columbia, MO/Father Tolton) with 520 yards and Tyler Gioia (Huntington Beach, CA/Edison) with 507.
The Miners also return their top two rushers from 2025 in Evan Wells (Roxana, IL/Roxana) and AJ Harris (Wentzville, MO/Lutheran-St. Charles). The duo combined for 994 rushing yards last season, with Wells accounting for 732 yards. His total set a school record for rushing yards by a freshman.
After losing seven defensive starters, S&T's most experienced group will be its linebacking corps, which returns Seneca Bradley (Clarksville, TN/Rossview) Jr. and Cameron Sturgell (Lamar, MO/Lamar). The pair led the Miners in tackles last season, combining for 139 tackles and 16.5 tackles for loss.
Seniors Layne Ryals (Louisburg, KS/Louisburg) and Logan Jacobson (Hillsboro, MO/St. Pius X) return to headline the special teams unit, while sophomore Jackson Cottrell (Eureka, MO/Eureka) takes over as the long snapper following the graduation of 2025 All-American Graham Carter (Liberty, MO/Liberty North).
About the RiverHawks
Northeastern State fell to Missouri S&T 27-24 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, last season, one of just three losses for the RiverHawks in 2025. Northeastern State held a 21-10 lead entering the fourth quarter before the Miners scored 17 points in the final 15 minutes, with Ryals' last-second field goal securing the victory.
The RiverHawks responded by winning their final seven games of the season and defeating East Central 56-21 in the First Americans Bowl. Northeastern State outscored its opponents 316-82 during that seven-game stretch, including a 33-20 victory over West Alabama, which was receiving votes in the national rankings at the time.
Northeastern State returns quarterback Donnie Smith, who threw for more than 3,000 yards last season and finished with a 169.44 passer rating. The RiverHawks will need to replace leading rusher Ramon McKinney Jr., who transferred to South Dakota State during the offseason after rushing for 1,093 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2025.
The RiverHawks also return their top two tacklers from a year ago in linebackers Kale Charboneau and Khaden Walker. Defensive back Marvelous Owens is back as well after recording seven interceptions in 2025, which ranked fourth nationally in interceptions per game.
What's Next
Missouri S&T hosts Missouri Western next weekend in its final non-conference contest of the season.
Sign up for our email blast at https://minerathletics.com/subscribe.aspx
Follow Miners Football on X and Instagram at @miners_fb
