DURANT, Okla. – The game with Northwestern Oklahoma State and Southeastern Oklahoma State started off looking like it could be a well-contested game, but the Savage Storm had other plans, taking down the Rangers 45-7.
Four Ranger defenders had outstanding days in the tackle department with Alex Hemberger leading the way with an unprecedented 19 total tackles on the afternoon. Devin Peyton, Theodis Williams and Teofilio Freeman Jr. each recording over 10 tackles.
Hemberger's huge performance vaulted him past conference leader Logan Genz of Arkansas Tech for the season lead for tackles with 101 through eight games.
The Ranger offense underachieved Saturday afternoon only amassing 236 yards in the game, compared to Southeastern's 422.
Northwestern started off the game on offense, but weren't able to get anything going, leading to a three-and-out.
Devlon Wortham of Southeastern took the ball at his own 49 yard line and proceeded to take it to the house for the first score of the game.
It didn't take long for the visitors to retaliate as Ty Hooper and Zachry Doyle led the team 75 yards in just over a minute to tie it up at seven a piece.
Doyle finished off the drive on a 17 yard scamper to the endzone, the only score for the Rangers on the day.
Southeastern wasn't able to get past the Rangers on their next possession, but weren't held down for long as the very next drive led to another score, making it 14-7 in favor of the hosts.
The Rangers next possession was a tough one in that a fumble at the Northwestern 33 yard line was taken for the score by the Savage Storm, making it a 21-7 game at the end of the first quarter.
Northwestern was able to stall SOSU on its first two drives of the second quarter, but couldn't hold them down for long as they posted three more touchdowns before the half to make it a commanding 42-7 lead.
Both defenses came out in the second half ready to play, only giving up a combined three points in the final half of play.
SOSU took the ball 40 yards, but only came away with a field goal, ultimately closing out the Rangers.
Northwestern (1-7, 1-7 GAC) has a bye next Saturday and will hit the field one last time at home on Nov. 8 against Southern Nazarene, slated for a 2 p.m. kickoff.
