By RANGERS ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
In a game that was anticipated to be fairly high scoring, the two top-scoring teams in the league in Northwestern Oklahoma State and Harding combined for just 31 points, with Harding coming out on the winning side on Ranger Senior Day, 24-7.
Senior quarterback, Reid Miller led the ground game on the afternoon as he netted 37 yards. Miller also threw for 159 yards on 13-36 passing on the rainy afternoon. Running-back Jacob Peyton was the lone Ranger to find the end zone however, on a two-yard carry. Peyton finished the day with 18 total yards on the ground.
As it has been much of the year, Horatio Smith was the lead receiver for the Rangers, catching four passes for 59 yards. Three Ranger defensemen had huge days with Shane Collins leading the way for the Rangers with 21 total tackles, while senior Rontez Smith and freshman Maurice Wright Jr. recorded 13 and 12 tackles respectively.
Following Northwestern’s first drive, Harding took possession of the ball and didn’t relinquish the ball until 2:58 was left on the clock, keeping the potent Ranger offense off the field. The Bisons did only come away with three points on the possession however.
The first quarter came to a close at 3-0 for Harding and the next score didn’t happen until nearly halftime when the Bisons put up seven more on the board, making it 10-0. In just under a minute and a half, Northwestern found the end zone on a six-play, 25 yard drive, prompted by a fumbled punt return by Harding. Peyton would find the end zone, but that would unfortunately be the only one for the Rangers on the day.
Harding scored on their next two possessions and as Northwestern was unable to get anything going in the second half, that would be how the game would end.
Northwestern will travel to Weatherford, Oklahoma next weekend to close out the season against arch Rival Southwestern Oklahoma State in a game that will kickoff at 5:30 p.m.