By OAKLEE FIELDER
The Rangers lost the season opener by 76 points against Harding University on Thursday in Searcy, Arkansas, where the Rangers scored no points.
Northwestern lost to the 2025 National Championship runner-ups in a hot 93-degree night. The Rangers had zero first downs and a total of -31 rushing yards. Jacob T. Jones threw for five yards and had five complete passes. Jones only threw one interception.
The Ranger defense showed promise, as five defensive Rangers had three or more solo tackles. Aiden Lewis led the Rangers in tackles with eight total tackles, four solo and four assisted. Rock Schomaker and Cade Reynolds were close seconds. They each had three solo and four assisted tackles, a total of seven each. Reynolds also had a forced fumble against the Bison.
Terry McCutcheon and Alexander McLain both had forced fumbles, giving Northwestern offensive opportunities.
Ezequiel Luna had the most yard rushed with 11. Merric Judd had the most receiving yards with 6.
Kash Shipley had 11 punts with two over 50 yards.
The next game for Ranger football will be on Thursday. The Rangers face the Arkansas Tech University Wonderboys in the Northwestern home opener. The crowd will be dressed in black as it is black out night.