by Ashley Watts, Sports Editor
Northwestern Oklahoma State University football played in their first football game of the year on Sept. 5 in Ada against the East Central Tigers.
The Rangers came out on top with a score of 21-13. The red and black defense was the talk of the game. They contributed 12 of the 21 points scored in the game. Not only did they contribute most of the points, but the defense also forced two fumbles on the five-yard line.
Redshirt senior, Dakota Driskill was the key player of the game for the Rangers. Early in the third quarter, Driskill ran back a 48-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown and had a total of 14 tackles throughout the game. Not only did Driskill lead the Ranger defense, but he was also just named Co-Defensive player of the week for the Great American Conference.
Driskill was not the only defense player that scored a touchdown for the Rangers though. Early in the fourth quarter freshman, Jailyn Reed, caught an interception that ended up being a 22-yard pick-six.
The question of who would play quarterback was also in play for the Rangers. At the beginning of the season the fans did not know who would play quarterback, but junior, Trent Easley stepped up to the plate to play the open position. Easley threw for 158-yards, which included a touchdown in the second quarter.
East Central led the Rangers in first downs, rushing and passing, but in the end the Rangers took the game. The Tigers also scored the opening points of the game, but the Ranger defense shut them down after that.
The NWOSU Rangers will head to Ranger Field for their home opener on Saturday, September 14 against Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The 1-0 football team is looking to improve their record to 2-0 for the first time since 2004. This game will also be family day for NWOSU.