by Athletic Communications
Northwestern Oklahoma State University defeats Southwestern Oklahoma State for the third consecutive season, defeating the Bulldogs, 28-16. The day the Rangers celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 1999 National Championship team.
Northwestern finished the season 4-7 and seventh in the Great American Conference.
The Black-and-Red got out in front early when Aharon Barnes, the two-time defending special teams player of the week, blocks Kane Bowen’s punt, which is picked up by Kentrez Bell and walked into the end zone from 33 yards out.
The Rangers extend their lead to 14-6 during the first drive of the second quarter, which was capped off by Calion Baker’s three-yard touchdown run.
The Bulldogs didn’t fold, responding to the Northwestern touchdown, with one of their own. Tyler Marr connected with Alex Ramirez for a 10-yard touchdown pass, trimming the deficit to 14-13.
The Rangers would not be able to add to their lead, when they missed on a 48 yard field goal. Southwestern responded to the missed field goal with driving the field and hitting a 27 yard field goal to take a 16-14 lead into the half.
The Black-and-Red causes the Bulldog offense to stall in the first possession of the second half, collecting a negative four yards on five plays. The Rangers next drive started at their own seven yard line. Northwestern would put together an 11 play drive, running for seven for a total of 70 yards, 45 of which Clarkson collected. Clarkson would score on the ground from 25-yards out.
The third quarter was the turning point in the game. NWOSU held the ball for 8 minutes and 34 seconds, while running 18 plays, while SWOSU collected 19 total yards spanning over three possessions.
The Rangers would milk the final 3:56 off the clock before going into victory formation to secure the third straight win over Southwestern.
This is the third time in school history that Northwestern has won three straight in the series and the first time since the 1989-1991 season.
Clarkson was 16-for-22 for 103 through the air. He also led the team in rushing gaining 84 yards on 11 attempts, he also was responsible for two touchdowns. Miller rushed for 49 yards on nine attempts, Baker gained 31 yards on six rushes and scored a touchdown.
Clarkson connected with seven different receivers, led by Torrence Stevens, who gained 49 yards on five catches, Raphael Edwards Jr. caught three passes for 26 yards, Bell had one catch for 23 yards .Miller collected three receptions and gained 17 yards with a touchdown and Isaiah Haro gained five yards on one reception.
Maurice Wright Jr. did just what he has done his entire career at the center of the Black-and-Red’s defense. Wright led the Rangers with 18 tackles, seven solo to end his career with 466 total tackles. He ends his career in Alva as the Northwestern all-time tackles leader, he hold the single game Great American Conference record with 25 tackles and he broke the GAC career solo tackle record this season with 223. Wright finishes ranked second in career tackles in the GAC, 14 shy of Logan Genz’s record set back in 2015.
Justin Van Fleet collected nine tackles, three solo, while Qua’Shawn Gray had eight, two solo.