Northeastern St. drops out of UNK’s conference for football only

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Changes are coming to football in UNK's conference. 

The MIAA announced Monday that it approved Northeastern State's request to play football as a Division ll independent. The RiverHawks have won just two total games over the past two seasons, both against Lincoln University - a school that is exiting the conference. UNK has beaten NSU six straight times. Northeastern State, which is in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, will remain in the MIAA for its other nine sports.

NSU will play its 2024 football season as a non-conference opponent for all MIAA schools. With NSU’s agreement and approval from the MIAA, conference schools will have the option to find other non-conference opponents the week they are scheduled to play the RiverHawks next fall.

The MIAA said in a news release that the move gives NSU a greater chance to gain success and rebuild its football program to conference standards. It also allows MIAA football programs to strengthen their schedules to better position themselves for postseason play.

Following the 2025 season, officials will reassess the state of Northeast's football program to determine its status for the 2027 and 2028 football seasons.