ALVA, Okla. – Five takeaways by the Northwestern Oklahoma State University defense helped the Rangers to a 21-0 shutout over the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys Saturday afternoon at Ranger Field.
The win snapped a seven-game losing skid by Northwestern against the Wonder Boys, dating back to the 1994 season. It was the first shutout by a Ranger football team since 2007 when they held Panhandle State scoreless at home.
NWOSU's record improved to 3-4 this season, while the Wonder Boys fall to surprising 2-5. Up next for the Rangers is another tough test next Saturday as they travel to Searcy, Arkansas, for a date with No. 23/24 Harding.
While the Northwestern offense had an efficient day with just one turnover, the defense was all over the field with four interceptions and a fumble recovery. Jimmie Pace had an outstanding game out of the defensive end position with eight tackles, four solo, a sack, an interception and a forced fumble.
Aharon Barnes picked off a Wonder Boy pass in the back of the end zone, his second of the season, Trey Merritt recorded his third interception of the year and Qua'Shawn Gray grabbed his second interception this season.
The last time the Rangers had five takeaways in a single game they were facing the same opponent as they did Saturday. It was also the most interceptions in a game as an NCAA program.
Arkansas Tech, who entered the game averaging nearly 180 yards per game rushing, was held to just 105 yards rushing. Maurice Wright Jr. was huge for the Rangers with 13 tackles, three coming behind the line of scrimmage. Dakota Driskill finished the game with nine tackles, while Gray and Pace each had eight.
Cesar De Leon led the Rangers' offense in an efficient fashion, completing 24-of-41 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns. The first Northwestern touchdown of the day came with four minutes remaining in the first quarter when Gavin Garner pulled in a De Leon pass with one hand from two yards out.
On the following ATU possession, Marcus Brent sacked Wonder Boy quarterback Carter Burcham and forced a fumble, which Brent recovered. On the first play, De Leon found Kentrez Bell from 23 yards out for a touchdown.
Bell was the leading receiver for the Rangers with eight catches for 112 yards. Horatio Smith, who made the final touchdown reception in the front corner of the end zone late in the second quarter, finished the game with 69 yards, his highest total of the season.
Northwestern had a balanced offensive day with 41 pass plays and 40 rushing plays. Tyson Gatewood was the leading rusher for the second time in as many games with 91 yards on 19 carries. Fellow freshman Calion Baker carried the ball six times for 28 yards and Jalen Williams closed the game with 21 yards.
Burcham, the starting quarterback for the Wonder Boys, collected 154 yards through the air, while Manny Harris came into the game and had 64 yards, as well as 31 yards on the ground. Bryan Allen was the leading rusher for the Wonder Boys.
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