By Megan Maharry
Sports Editor
The Northwestern Oklahoma State University football team played their first road game on Saturday against Arkansas-Monticello. Due to a weather interference, the game was delayed nearly an hour from original starting time.
Once the weather cleared up, the Rangers took to the field, but despite strong offensive drives, the Rangers fell short 44-36.
The Rangers started off in the hole as they fell 30-7 by halftime.
The first Ranger touchdown did not occur until the second half when senior quarterback Isaiah Weed connected with redshirt sophomore Gavin Garner on a 14-yard pass.
In the final minutes of the game, the Rangers ran nine plays and gained 67 yards until Weed connected with Cain to make the score 44-36.
The Rangers ultimately ran out of time, and fell 44-36.
The second half proved much more productive for the Rangers.
A quiet offense came alive in the final 30 minutes of play, as the Rangers recorded more than 300 yards.
The Rangers finished the game with a total of 534 yards.
Weed accounted for 338 yards of total offense. 236 of those yards came on passing as he completed 21-for-37 in the air, along with three touchdowns. 75 of his yards came on the ground. Weed also ran the ball into the endzone himself in the 3rd quarter.
Redshirt junior running back Jacob Peyton did work on the ground. He carried the ball 19 times and totaled 162 yards.
Garner and Weed connected on several passes throughout the game. Garner earned 144 yards and two touchdowns. His big play came at the end of the 4th quarter as he received a 48-yard pass from Weed and strolled into the endzone.
The Ranger defense stepped up their game in the second half, keeping Arkansas-Monticello’s offense at bay.
Linebackers Maurice Wright Jr. and Dakota Driskill had 15 and 12 tackles respectively.
Marcus Brent earned nine tacks and had a sack in the fourth quarter.
With the loss, the Rangers fall 0-2 on their season. The Rangers return home on Sept. 15 for Family Day and will face the Henderson State Reddies. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.