After opening the season on the wrong side of the scoreboard, both Riverside and Northeastern enter Week 2 searching for their first victory of 2026.

For the Pirates, the focus begins with shoring up a run defense that struggled in last week's loss to Ansonia. The Tigers dominated on the ground, averaging nearly seven yards per carry and relying heavily on their rushing attack. In fact, Ansonia attempted just three passes all night, underscoring how effectively it controlled the game on the ground.

The good news for Riverside is that Northeastern arrives with its own offensive concerns. The Jets had trouble finding any rhythm in their season opener, throwing three interceptions while managing just 2.7 yards per carry on the ground. While Northeastern remains a young team working to establish its identity, the matchup presents an opportunity for the Pirates to address some of the issues that surfaced in Week 1.

Offensively, Riverside showed flashes of promise despite the loss. The Pirates were able to move the football, but drives frequently stalled in critical situations. Riverside finished just 3-of-15 on third-down conversions and 1-of-5 on fourth down, a combined 4-for-20 in situations where the offense needed to sustain drives and make pivotal plays.

There were still positives to build upon. Riverside's running game averaged nearly four yards per carry, helping set up an effective play-action passing attack. Quarterback Brody Osborne was efficient when asked to throw, completing 4 of 5 passes for nearly 100 yards and demonstrating the big-play potential of the Pirates' passing game.

If Riverside can improve its execution on third and fourth downs while continuing to establish balance between the run and pass, the Pirates have a strong opportunity to secure their first win of the season. Against a Northeastern squad still searching for answers offensively, Week 2 could provide the perfect chance for Riverside to get back on track.