MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Northwestern Oklahoma State and Southern Arkansas combined for just over 900 yards in the game today, with the Muleriders coming out on top in the offensive showdown 62-21.
After a fantastic first start of his career at Northwestern, Ty Hooper was only allowed 109 total yards passing while completing 7-of-20 with two scores and an interception against a stingy Southern Arkansas defense in his second.
Once again, Jarion Tudman was the feature back, rushing for 82 total yards on 11 carries, while teammate Zachry Doyle rushed 12 times for 32 total yards.
Northwestern was limited to a three and out on its first possession, and Southern Arkansas pounced on the opportunity, scoring in just three plays. Si Blackshire and Walker-Hall hooked up for the eight yard touchdown, putting the Rangers in an early hole.
Trickery early on in the game worked out in the hosts favor as they kicked an onside, recovering it on the Northwestern 35 yard line, giving them excellent field position to start the possession.
Following a false start by the offense, SAU's Deion Williams rushed for the 40 yard score to make it a quick 14-0 game in favor of the home team.
The Rangers came out on the next possession fired up , driving three quarters of the field on a 12-play drive for the score. Hooper found Reggie Harris in the endzone from 14 yards out for the first Ranger points of the afternoon.
After another Mulerider touchdown, the Rangers once again retaliated, following a Tudman 43 yard rush to the SAU 35, setting up teammate Justin Lord for the 35 yard rushing touchdown. The touchdown was Lord's first of the year.
Southern Arkansas was able to once again capitalize on the next possession to make the score 28-13 after a quarter of play.
The start of the second quarter started off with one play by the Rangers before punting it away to SAU.
The home team was yet again able to score after six plays to make it 35-13.
A couple of empty possessions for the young Ranger offense as well as a punt for the Muleriders occurred before Southern Arkansas was able to score again in the 42-13 game.
The red-and-black defense held strong for the rest of the half forcing a punt and intercepting a pass at the end of the half by Ranger defensive back, Jordan Norris.
The final score of the half came by the Rangers, when Hooper and Dashawn Gordon connected on a 24 yard pass for the third score of the game for Northwestern.
Southern Arkansas (2-2, 2-2 GAC) scored on its first two opportunities to begin the second half of play making the score 55-21.
A big stop made possible by Derrick Thompson kept the Muleriders out of the endzone where the junior stripped the ball from Blackshire on the Northwestern 10 yard line. Brandon Cannon was able to secure the fumble for the Rangers at the six yard line.
Northwestern (1-3, 1-3 GAC) was unable to capitalize on the miscue by SAU, after which the Muleriders once again jumped on the opportunity putting up its 62nd point of the day.
The Ranger defense was able to corral the Muleriders' offense on the last two possessions to finish the game at 62-21.
Northwestern surrendered its largest opponent offensive yards of the season, giving up 675 yards to the hosts resulting in the loss.
The Rangers will take the field again next weekend on Oct. 4 at #7 Henderson State for a 3 p.m. kick.
