By Oaklee Fielder, Sports Editor
The 2025 season came to an end for the Rangers in the Senior Day game against the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Bulldogs, where the Rangers lost 45-3.
The Rangers entered the game 2-8 after their beatdown on the University of Arkansas at Monticello Boll Weevils, the Bulldogs 5-5. This is the final game of the year for both teams, as the Great American Conference football season comes to an end.
To start the game, Southwestern won the coin toss and decided to defend in the first half.
The first drive of the game started with a good play for Northwestern. The Ranger quarterback, Caleb Deal, ran 12 yards to get a first down for Northwestern. Then, a handoff to Ezequiel Luna gained six yards to make it a second-and-four. Unfortunately, Northwestern was penalized with a false start on the next play, resulting in a five-yard penalty. The flag seemed to slow their momentum after the good plays from Deal and Luna, and the Rangers punted after just five plays. The Bulldogs took over possession and scored on their next drive, making it 7-0.
The next Northwestern drive started amazingly. On a second-and-ten, Deal threw a pass to Royal Kyle for 18 yards and earned the Rangers a first down. Then, after a one-yard run from Luna, Deal passed to Brody Williams, who ran 21 yards before he was taken down. Then, the Rangers lost a yard. On their next play, Deal passed to Henry Wilson Jr., who wasn’t able to catch the ball due to pass interference from one of the SWOSU players. After the penalty, the Rangers were given 15 yards, and they were on the Bulldog’s 25-yard line. On the next play, the ball was handed off to Luna, who ran for nine yards until one of the Southwestern players forced a fumble, and the Bulldogs gained possession after an amazing drive from the Rangers.
The Bulldogs took advantage of the quick switch in momentum and scored another touchdown to make it 14-0 in the first quarter. On the next drive for the Rangers, Caleb Deal ran seven yards on a third-and-six to get the first down at the end of the quarter.
To start the second quarter, the Rangers were charging down the field. The first play of the quarter was a first down after a pass from Deal to Williams for six yards. Luna ran five yards but then lost a yard on the next play. Deal threw a pass to Royal, who ran 20 yards to get the first down. After two short plays, Deal threw a pass to Bailee Davenport, who ran 29 yards and entered the Southwestern endzone.
Unfortunately, the officials threw a flag and gave the Rangers an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, sent the Rangers back 15 yards and took away their touchdown. After the penalty, Deal threw an interception, and the Bulldogs had possession of the ball. Southwestern charged down the field and then scored a field goal.
The Rangers had another chance to score on their next drive. Northwestern earned a first down after just two plays, and they continued to charge down the field. After a short run, Deal threw it to Eli Martinez, who ran 12 yards until he was taken down. There was another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty given to the Rangers. After being taken back 15 yards, the Rangers put their heads down and pushed forward.
They got a first down in just two plays and made it to the 36-yard line, where they stalled out and resorted to their kicker. Kale Purvis kicked the 53-yard field goal and put the Rangers on the board, 17-3.
Southwestern responded with a quick touchdown, getting it with just 18 seconds left in the half. The Rangers gave one play, and then the time ran out.
To start the second half, the Rangers forced a fumble from the Bulldog’s quarterback and got the ball quickly. Unfortunately, there was not much from the Rangers’ offense, and they punted after three plays.
The Bulldogs punted it back, and then the Rangers did the same.
The Bulldogs then pushed and scored touchdowns on back-to-back drives, making it 38-3.
In the fourth quarter, Southwestern scored another touchdown to make it 45-3. There were no more points scored in the game, and the Rangers fell in the final game of the season.