TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The East Central University football team made history on Saturday by competing in the inaugural First Americans Bowl against Northeastern State University at Doc Wadley Stadium. Although the Tigers fell 56–21 on the RiverHawks' home field, the game was about much more than the final score. It underscored the cultural significance of an event designed to celebrate and empower Indigenous and minority athletes, while also highlighting ECU's dedication to visibility and representation.
 
ECU concludes the 2025 season with a 6-6 overall record, earning one of the rare opportunities to play football in December. The Tigers look forward to building on this experience for a strong campaign next year.
 
After being forced to punt on their opening drive, ECU made a statement on defense when Keebler Wagoner forced a fumble that Terry Lewis II recovered early in the first quarter. However, ECU's next possession also ended in a punt, and NSU took advantage on their subsequent drive, opening the scoring with a 15-yard touchdown pass at the 7:52 mark.
 
ECU tied the game at 7-7 with a 70-yard drive, finished off by a 2-yard touchdown run from Quincy Thompson. But on the first play after the ensuing kickoff, the RiverHawks regained the lead on a 75-yard strike, then added a 4-yard rushing touchdown in the final minute of the first to go ahead 21–7.
 
The RiverHawks extended their advantage in the second quarter with two more touchdown passes, including one from five yards out and another from 29 yards, making it 35–7 at halftime.
 
NSU opened the third quarter with a 30-yard touchdown pass, but the Tigers answered with a 65-yard, 11-play drive finished by a 1-yard touchdown run from Sergio Kennedy, narrowing the gap to 42–14. Although ECU executed a successful onside kick recovered by Tyler Akers, they couldn't convert on three straight incomplete passes, returning possession back to NSU.
 
NSU added a short rushing touchdown late in the third, and ECU countered in the fourth when Xavier Gordon connected with Bryce Bodkin for a 12-yard score, closing the gap to 49–21 with just under seven minutes remaining. But a 29-yard NSU touchdown run in the final minutes closed out the scoring as the Tigers fell 56–21.
 
The RiverHawks found success all game, amassing 651 yards of total offense compared to ECU's 258 and punting only once compared to the Tigers' seven.
Quarterback Sergio Kennedy led ECU, completing 13 of 29 passes for 139 yards and rushing eight times for 50 yards and a touchdown. Quincy Thompson had 12 carries for 50 yards and a touchdown for the Tigers, while Bryce Bodkin caught four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown.
 
Keebler Wagoner anchored the defense with 7 tackles and a forced fumble, while Michael Onwuzurike and Nathaniel Rainey each added 6 stops. Caden Pickens notched a tackle for loss, Jaelyn Walker contributed a half TFL and a QB hurry, and Terry Lewis II made a key impact with a fumble recovery and a pass breakup.