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ALVA, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State University football seeks its second victory in as many weeks as the Rangers face the Wonder Boys of Arkansas Tech at Ranger Field on Saturday. Kickoff for the Great American Conference matchup is set for 2 p.m.
Northwestern (2-4) is vying to snap a current seven game losing skid to Arkansas Tech who enters the game with an identical record. The Rangers are coming off a 17-7 Homecoming victory in week six, while the Wonder Boys have dropped two straight games, including a surprising 34-16 loss at home against Arkansas-Monticello.
The Northwestern win was the first win since joining the NCAA when scoring fewer than 19 points.
In the game against ECU, NWOSU controlled the tempo of the contest. The Rangers rushed the ball 55 times with freshman Tyson Gatewood getting the bulk of the load as he rushed for 134 yards on 27 carries. It was the most carries by a Ranger since Jacob Peyton had 25 rushing attempts in 2016 against Oklahoma Baptist.
With significant opportunities the past three weeks, Gatewood is averaging 63.8 yards a contest, placing him in the top ten in the GAC. His counterpart in the ATU backfield, Bryan Allen, enters Saturday's game as the league leader averaging 93.3 yards a game.
Northwestern quarterback Cesar De Leon saw his first action in a Ranger uniform as the starting quarterback against ECU. The junior transfer settled in as the game went along, completing 10 passes for 99 yards.
Because the Rangers held the Tigers to fewer play in last week's victory, Dakota Driskill was held to his lowest tackle total of the season. However, he and Maurice Wright Jr. are still sitting at second and third in the league, respectively, in total tackles. Driskill's 68 takedowns this season is 12 behind Wonder Boy rover KJ Reid who holds the conference lead with 80 tackles.
The Northwestern defense will look to continue to build on the success it had against ECU. Coach Ken Gorden's defense only allowed the Tigers to convert on third down on 2-of-11 attempts.
The Arkansas Tech offense has been balanced this season with nearly 180 yards on the ground and just over 200 through the air. The Wonder Boys are led by quarterback Carter Burcham. A redshirt freshman, Burcham has accumulated 1,045 yards and five touchdowns through the air and has 241 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Arkansas Tech leads the all-time series between the two programs at 11-4 overall, with the last Northwestern win in the series coming in 1993. The Wonder Boys have won five of the seven contests at Ranger Field.
For the latest news and updates on NWOSU Football, follow @NWOSUAthletics on TWITTER or visit www.riderangersride.com.
