By Oaklee Fielder, Sports Editor
The NWOSU Family Day football game took place on Saturday, where the East Central Tigers faced the Northwestern Rangers in a late-night game.
The game started with the Tigers winning the coin toss and electing to defend to start the first half. NWOSU would start with possession of the ball.
The first drive for the Rangers ended in success. NWOSU was able to drive down the field and get into field goal range. Kale Purvis made the kick and gave Northwestern the first points of the game, making it 0-3.
The Tigers’ first drive did not go as well; ECU made three plays and punted. The Rangers’ second drive went the same, three plays then a punt. Almost in a pattern, the Tigers went and did the same thing, three plays, then punted.
To start the second quarter, the Rangers were at a third and three in ECU territory. They were making good gains, making progress, and entered the red zone.
Then a pass was intercepted where the Tigers ran it all the way back to the Rangers’ endzone and scored a touchdown, making it 7-3. ECU scored on their next drive to make it 14-3.
With momentum in their favor, the Tigers scored on every drive in the second quarter, putting the Rangers down far. Although at the end of the quarter, Purvis scored another field goal, lessening the Tigers’ lead to 31-6.
To start the second half, the Tigers scored a field goal to make it 34-6. The Rangers seemed to have lost all momentum from the early points scored, as they were not able to gain any more points in the third quarter, also allowing ECU to score even more points to make a comeback seemingly impossible.
Starting the fourth quarter, NWOSU was down 41-6. With the game practically over, the Rangers had to put their heads down and push hard and not give up. On their second drive of the quarter, NWOSU charged down the field, catching long passes from Jax Bernard. Bernard threw a deep pass to Merric Judd, who caught it and made a 48-yard touchdown, possibly sparking something in NWOSU.
With eight minutes left in the game, the Ranger defense stepped up and stopped the Tigers in their tracks, getting a turnover on downs and giving the Rangers even more time to score.
With just four minutes left, with throws from Bernard and rushes from Jayden Bridges, the Rangers were able to get to ECU’s red zone once again.
Bernard made a short rush to run it into the endzone to get the Rangers a touchdown with just 32 seconds left. A PAT from Purvis made it 41-20. NWOSU attempted an onside kick to get possession, but it was recovered by ECU. The Tigers knelt and ended the game with a score of 41-20.
This was absolutely a great showing for Northwestern. They faced a difficult team that defeated Ouachita Baptist, which was nationally ranked.
Not only did they show up, but they led in the first quarter and had the looks of having a comeback in the fourth, if not for time.
The game against the Southern Arkansas University Muleriders will not be easy, but if the Rangers show up like they did in the first and final quarter, they could stand a chance against SAU.