By OAKLEE FIELDER
The Rangers’ winless season continues in 2026 after a loss to the Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm in Bethany with a final score of 60-37.
Northwestern came out of the gates slow, giving up a touchdown two minutes in, and throwing an interception from Jacob T. Jones. Jones’ interception was returned for a touchdown, and SNU was up 14-0.
After both teams punted on their next drives, the Rangers found themselves with points on the board. Northwestern made 65 yards in just six plays and scored a touchdown followed by a two-point conversion.
SNU didn’t slow down despite giving up a touchdown, scoring two more touchdowns of their own to make it 31-8. Northwestern was down but not out, as Jones threw multiple passes to charge down the field before running it five yards into the end zone for a Ranger touchdown. The first half ended with SNU up 31-15.
In the second half, the Crimson Storm kept pounding. SNU scored a safety and two touchdowns to make it a 47-15 game heading into the fourth quarter, with the Ranger offense stalled out.
The Ranger offense kicked it back up in the fourth quarter, scoring a touchdown quickly, making it 47-22. SNU responded with a touchdown, trying to snuff Northwestern’s flame. Northwestern continued to score as they tried to claw back up. Jones threw a pass to Koda Bridges, who scored a touchdown, and it was a 24-point game, 54-30. The shootout continued as the Crimson Storm scored another touchdown, making it a 60-30 game.
With one minute on the clock, the Rangers scored a touchdown with a 20-yard pass from Jones to Royal Kyle. The clock ran out, and the Rangers lost to SNU 60-37.
Jones threw for 295 yards and went 24 for 38. He had two passing touchdowns and two interceptions. Jones also had the most rushing attempts with 18. Jones ran for 51 yards and had two rushing touchdowns. Kyle had nine receptions and 102 yards. Kyle and Jayce Morgan had one touchdown each.
Aiden Lewis had the most tackles with nine: six solo and three assisted. Haiden Thompson had seven solo tackles and one assisted. Wyatt Potter recorded an interception along with two solo tackles.
Next up on the Rangers’ schedule is Ouachita Baptist University on Saturday. This will be the final home game with three games left on the schedule. The Rangers sit at the bottom of the Great American Conference standings, the only winless team remaining in the conference. After the game against Ouachita, the Rangers will face Arkansas at Monticello. This will be their next, and maybe final, chance to win this season. After Monticello, it will be Southwestern.