ALVA, Okla. -- Jared Jackson returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, and the senior tailback never stopped running. Jackson rushed for 194 yards on 22 carries to lead Northwestern Oklahoma State to a 44-16 win over the junior varsity squad from the United States Air Force Academy.
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"We're not only learning how to win, we're learn how to win different types of games," said Northwestern head coach Alan Hall. "Last week we came from behind. This week we got a lead and had to learn how to close it out."
Mission accomplished. Northwestern held the ball for 11 of the final 15 minutes, a task made much easier by their ability to run the ball at will. 343 of their 477 total yards came on the ground and included a healthy 7.0 yards-per-carry.
Jackson's 194 yards are the most by a Ranger since former teammate Nate Guillory put up 224 at Missouri S&T in October of 2010. He scored twice on the ground in addition to his game-opening kick return.
"I have to give credit to my blockers," Jackson said. "They opened up some big holes to run through."
After going the first eight weeks without a 100-yard rusher, the Rangers ended up with two of them. Javari Liggins carried 16 times for 108 yards. He and Jackson became the first Northwestern duo since Guillory and Courtney Jones (Nov. 14, 2009 against Okla. Panhandle State) to rush for 100 yards in the same game.
Last week, Avery Morris and Jeremiah Carter became the first Ranger pair since 1993 to record twin 100-yard receiving games, a testament to the balance that is beginning to develop on the Northwestern offense.
"I think that's a natural adjustment you're seeing by defenses," said Hall. "They see a senior quarterback who's throwing it 50 times a game, and they're starting to put fewer men in the box. We've been able to capitalize."
Northwestern continued its amazing trend of opening coin flips predicting outcomes. During their 0-7 start, the Rangers went 7-0 on the toss. They've since lost each of their last two flips but went on to win both games.
The latest coin flip really did have a direct impact on the outcome. After winning, Air Force deferred its choice to the second half and kicked away to Northwestern. Jackson fielded the kick a step into the north endzone and charted a winding course across the field. A quick cut-back and solid blocking broke him free at the Air Force 40 on his way to a 100-yard touchdown return and a 7-0 Ranger lead.
Air Force punted on its next possession, and Northwestern mounted an 11-play, 79-yard drive. Liggins was the catalyst, carrying on four straight plays for 29-yards to Falcon 13. Quarterback Kyle Jech finished, hitting Avery Morris for a 13-yard touchdown pass.
Morris, who scored three touchdowns last week, caught a team-high four passes for 38 yards.
Jech finished an efficient 12 of 19 passing for 143 yards and a score and also went his fourth straight game without tossing an interception.
In response, Air Force mounted a lengthy, 12-play drive of its own, moving 81-yards. Karson Roberts hit Myles Barnes for a seven-yard touchdown to pull the guests back within 14-7 with 1:44 remaining in the first quarter.
Jech did damage with both his arm and legs on the Rangers' next possession, scrambling for 10 yards to get things started. He added three completions to move the offense inside the Falcon five-yard line before capping things off with his third touchdown run of the season on a draw play up the middle. With 13:46 left in the second quarter, Northwestern led 21-7.
Northwestern expanded its lead to 24-7 just a few minutes later. Jackson burst 43 yards into Air Force territory on the Rangers' first play from scrimmage, eventually setting up an Edgar Colmenares 30-yard field goal.
Air Force kept the game interesting with under a minute to go in the half when Roberts scored on a quarterback draw on fourth-and-goal from the two to get the Falcons within 24-13 heading into the locker room.
Late in the third, Northwestern dropped the hammer by switching gears. Jackson and Liggins turned a pair of short passes into big yards, posting 25 and 19-yard receptions to move the ball down to the doorstep. Jackson eased some early-season frustration with his first rushing touchdown of the season on a two-yard plunge to make it 31-13 Rangers midway through the second quarter.
Air Force added a field goal late in the third. Northwestern missed kicks from 40 and 33 yards that would have added to the lead, but for the second time in as many weeks, the defense was in control late.
The offense further salted the game away with a pair of late scores. Taylor Hooper's 40-yard punt return to the Air Force 14 set up Jackson's second rushing touchdown (third overall) with 3:39 to go in the game.
Keenan Santacruz grabbed an interception less than a minute later and returned it inside the Falcon 20, setting the stage for Liggins 14-yard touchdown carry with 2:03 remaining. That run boosted Liggins over the 100-yard mark.
David Crumitie slammed the door, intercepting a Roberts pass near midfield to end the game.
Derrick Thompson posted a team-high 10 tackles to go with eight from Michael Harmon. Josh Robinson and Brandon Eddins each recorded sacks. The Rangers had six total tackles for loss.
In honor of "Military Appreciation Day," the Northwestern unveiled brand new uniforms – red on red with camouflage numbers. After warming up in their customary black home jerseys, the players learned of the switch just a few minutes prior to kickoff. The team plans to continue using them as an occasional alternate home jersey in seasons to come.
Northwestern hosts Southern Nazarene next Saturday in its final home game of the 2012 season. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
