By ALEXANDER REYES
Student Reporter
The Northwestern Rangers heads to Ada, Okla. take on the Tigers of East Central University this Saturday.
The Rangers are coming off a loss to Ouachita Baptist. The Tigers only loss of the season is to Ouachita Baptist this year in a close one.
The Tigers have also beaten Henderson State and Southern Nazarene. The Rangers are on their third consecutive loss.
Can Northwestern pull off some “Ranger Magic” against East Central at their stadium? Or will the Rangers chalk up another loss to a tough opponent?
The Northwestern passing offense can’t seem to get going this year. They passed just 71 yards above Ouachita Baptist who held the Rangers to just 10 yards of net rushing.
Meanwhile, the rushing attack of Ouachita Baptist put up a staggering 374 yards on the Ranger defense. While putting up 210 pass yards with no interceptions.
The Rangers will have to bring the pass rush and cover well. East Central plays a pass-heavy offense putting up 1180 yards in just four games.
The Rangers are currently ranked near the bottom of the Great American Conference, avoiding the bottom with their win over Arkansas-Monticello.
East Central is fighting for a spot at the top at three wins and one loss. If the Rangers can slay this Goliath, then they have a chance at a spectacular rest of the season.
If the Rangers should fall but make it a close game then the loss still doesn’t look that bad. East Central as one of the top teams doesn’t necessarily make Northwestern a bad team rather, they are playing a team that is extremely good.
Any way you look at it the Rangers are having a tough season, but the Ranger faithful shouldn’t lose hope just yet. They still have a lot of upperclassmen and returning leaders who want to end this season right.
The Rangers kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday.