By CADE KENNEDY, Sports Editor
After waiting two years for a football game, the Rangers will take the field Sept. 2 following a 4-7 season in 2019.
The Rangers will face a problem that several teams across the Great American Conference will deal with: a lack of experience.
“We essentially have three different classes of freshman getting ready for football,” said Matt Walter, the head coach of the Rangers.
The Rangers will not be completely without experience, however, as they have 14 starters and 43 lettermen returning.
The Rangers have made some changes in terms of coaching on both sides of the ball. Josh Evans is the new passing game coordinator for the Rangers. Ken Gordon, the defensive coordinator, was named the assistant head coach.
Despite several teams facing the same issues as the Rangers, Northwestern was ranked 9th out of the 12 teams in the GAC preseason coaches’ poll. Ouachita Baptist, the defending conference champion, was selected as the favorite to win the conference.
Some players say they are not worried about the preseason polls. They say they just want to get out on the field and compete.
“I’m just looking forward to getting to play after nearly two years,” kicker Connor O’Neal said. O’Neal is one of several players who was a freshman in 2019 but had to redshirt because of COVID-19.
“I’m looking forward to see how we compete this year,” said kicker Shea Yurkunas.
The players are not the only ones with this mindset, however.
“I’m looking forward to being out on the field and competing again,” Walter said. “Many of the players got to see their friends get to have a season while they did not, so I’m sure they want to be out on the field, too.”
The first game of the season will be Sept. 2 at Ranger Field. Northwestern will play the Muleriders of Southern Arkansas. The game will start at 6 p.m., and fans are encouraged to dress in black for the game. The Rangers have maintained a 1-6 record against the Muleriders since 2013, with the lone win coming in 2017.
The next home game will be Sept. 25 against East Central at 6 p.m. The Rangers and Tigers have won four games against each other since 2012.
The next home game will be during Homecoming weekend Oct. 9 against Arkansas-Monticello at 4 p.m.
The Rangers have maintained a 5-3 record against the Boil Weevils since 2012.
On Oct. 23, Northwestern will take on Southern Nazarene at 3 p.m. at Ranger Field. The Rangers have maintained a 6-2 record against the Crimson Storm since 2012.
The next week, the Rangers will play Harding on Oct. 30 at 2 p.m. at Ranger Field. Northwestern has not beaten the Bisons since joining the GAC.
The final home game of the season will be against Southwestern on Nov. 13 at 3 p.m. Northwestern has kept a 4-3 record against the Bulldogs since 2013.
