By Oaklee Fielder, Sports Editor
On Saturday, the NWOSU football team headed to Shawnee to face the Oklahoma Baptist University Bison. It was a low-scoring game with the Bison defeating the Rangers only 8-16. This low-scoring game is a vast difference from their meeting last year, which ended with a Ranger win, 30-28.
OBU won the coin toss and chose to defend the first half.
The Rangers’ first drive had good momentum, gaining one first down and advancing 15 yards. The drive ended after an incomplete pass, then the Rangers were forced to punt. The Bisons’ first drive went better. OBU charged down the field and ended with points on the board with a field goal.
The first quarter continued as the two teams traded punts and ended the quarter 0-3. The second quarter started with the ball in the Rangers’ possession. The Rangers made up a lot of ground on the field, charging to the 24-yard line. The Rangers attempted a field goal, but it missed, giving the Bison the ball.
OBU charged their way down the field, ending the drive with a touchdown, making the score 0-9.
The first half ended with no more points scored from either team.
The third quarter ended scoreless, although there was an amazing attempt by the Rangers to get a touchdown. The drive started at the 25-yard line on NWOSU’s side. In 14 plays, the NWOSU made it to the Bisons’ 4-yard line. With two rushing attempts and a passing attempt, the Rangers were at the 2-yard line.
Caleb Deal attempted to run it up the middle and get the Rangers their first points on the board, but they were stopped just short. The Bison were able to get out of their endzone by the end of the quarter, and the Rangers’ charge was just barely stopped.
The fourth and final quarter was a competitive one, with the Bison scoring another touchdown and both teams making good ground on the field. The Rangers’ final drive ended very well, giving them a touchdown and a 2-point conversion.
It started at the 50-yard line, and the Rangers charged hard and fast. They got to the 2-yard line, where they had been before. On a fourth and two, Deal threw a short pass to Isaiah Taylor, who ran it into the endzone and got the Rangers’ first points of the game. A pass to Ivory Wilright got the Rangers those extra two points to make it 8-16.
With momentum and lots of hope, the Rangers attempted an onside kick, but unfortunately, it failed, and the Bison had the ball to end the game.
This game was a much better showing of the Rangers’ abilities. They were able to get close to points many times, but it did not work out. With the knowledge that they can do it, there may be better games in the Rangers’ future.
The Rangers’ next game is against East Central University, which will be a home game. The game takes place on Saturday, Sep 27. ECU currently sits at a 2-1 record, defeating the nationally ranked Ouachita Baptist in Week 1 and losing to Southern Nazarene last week.
NWOSU currently sits at the bottom of the Great American Conference rankings. They currently have a 0-3 record.
The Universty of Arkansas at Monticello Bollweevils sit along side Northwestern in the bottom of the GAC rankings.
Arkansas Tech, Harding, and Henderson State sit at the top of the standings as they are at a 3-0 record.
With just eight games left to play for the GAC, NWOSU looks to improve their rank and attempt to get wins.
The Rangers have rough weeks ahead as they face power-house team after power-house team. After their game against ECU, they play Southern Arkansas. After SAU, they play Henderson State. Then they play Southeastern Oklahoma State.