By Cade Kennedy, Sports Editor
The Northwestern football team lost to the Harding Bison, 28-7, Saturday afternoon at First Security Stadium in Searcy, Arkansas.
The 1-7 Rangers faced another tough test, as they had to take on a Harding squad ranked 21st in the AFCA coaches poll.
The Rangers also came into the game with a new quarterback, as Ethan Everson made his first start of his collegiate career.
The Bisons started the game with the ball, but they only had it for a minute.
On the fourth play of the drive, Dawson Marchant snatched the football out of the air to give the Rangers the ball at their own 45-yard line.
The Rangers had the same result on their first drive, as Everson threw an interception in the endzone with ten minutes to go in the first quarter.
These opening drives set the tone for the game, as both teams traded punts before Braden Jay busted a 67-yard run for a touchdown to give the Bison the lead. By the end of the first quarter, Harding had a 7-0 lead.
With 14 minutes left in the second quarter, the Rangers had another opportunity to put points on the board. However, the Bisons blocked a 35-yard field goal attempt by Connor O’Neal to keep Northwestern from scoring.
Neither side scored on their next drive, as both teams had long, grueling drives that lasted six minutes but ended short of the endzone.
With 42 seconds remaining in the second half, Jay raced into the endzone from 14 yards out to double the score and give the Bisons a 14-0 lead at the half.
In the third quarter, the Ranger offense had another rough drive, as the Rangers only went 16 yards before turning the ball over on downs at their own 41-yard line.
The Bisons turned defense into offense, as Jhalen Spicer plunged into the endzone to give Harding a 21-0 lead that lasted into the fourth quarter.
The Rangers finally found the endzone in the fourth, as Everson scored his first collegiate touchdown on a six-yard scamper to make 21-7 in favor of Harding.
The Bison scored again midway through the fourth on a 73-yard run by Cole Keylon to give Harding a 28-7 win over the Rangers.
The next game for the Rangers is on Saturday, when Northwestern returns home for both Homecoming and Senior Day against Arkansas Tech at 4 p.m. at Ranger Field.