The Northwestern Oklahoma State University football team traveled to Bethany, Oklahoma on Saturday to face opponent Southern Nazarene University. The Rangers fell short of a win with a score of 44-37. This was the first win SNU had over the Rangers in history.
The Rangers were off to a slow start in the first two quarters. SNU scored first in the early first quarter to take the lead. It was not until the second quarter that SNU kicked a field goal to take a 10-0 lead.
The Rangers eventually found the end zone before halftime on a throw from junior quarterback Jake McClurg to freshman Gavin Garner.
SNU extended their lead, however. By the halftime mark, SNU was ahead 23-7. SNU came out firing again in the third quarter to quickly make it a 30-7 ball game.
The Rangers held on and scored again to make it a 16-point game on their next possession. The Ranger’s momentum continued to grow in the second half, as they cut SNU’s lead to only eight points in the fourth quarter.
On SNU’s kick-off return, redshirt sophomore Sid Irwin Jr. forced a fumble and the Rangers were able to recover it. The Rangers were able to score a touchdown and tie the game on their next drive.
The Ranges could not hold off SNU in their last possession, however, and the Crimson Storm scored the game winning touchdown at the end of the fourth quarter.
McClurg threw a total of 207 yards and one touchdown. Redshirt junior Anthony Cota lead the Rangers with a total of 90 rushing yards, and Jacob Peyton also had a bulk of 54 rushing yards.
On defense, sophomore Maurice Wright Jr. lead the way for the Rangers with a total of nine tackles.
The Rangers return home this weekend to face Oklahoma Baptist University.