ALVA, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State University football renews its long time rivalry against Southwestern Oklahoma State University Saturday evening as the Rangers and Bulldogs face off for the 84th time in series history.
The two teams will enter Saturday's contest with identical 3-7 records this season. Northwestern will look to snap a three-game losing skid after they dropped a close contest last week at Oklahoma Baptist, 38-31, while Southwestern has dropped a pair in consecutive games, including a 35-23 loss in week two to Southern Nazarene.
One area the Rangers will be looking to exploit during the matchup will be the Bulldogs passing defense. The Bulldogs are allowing 226.9 yards per game through the air, the second highest number in the league.
Ranger quarterback Cesar De Leon will have an opportunity against that defense after passing for three touchdowns in the last two games. The junior eclipsed the 1000-yard passing mark in five games this season and has thrown for 11 touchdowns.
Last week, De Leon and Horatio Smith connected for the longest offensive play of the season for Northwestern with a 77-yard pitch and catch in the first half for a touchdown.
The Northwestern defense has put together one of the better seasons since becoming a Division II program. If the Rangers hold the Bulldogs under 32 points in the game, it would be the fewest total points allowed in a season since 2011.
Despite only 10 tackles in the week 10 matchup at Oklahoma Baptist, Dakota Driskill moved into the conference lead for total tackles with 112 on the season. He also has the 10th most in the nation.
Among the top passing teams in the Great American Conference, Oklahoma Baptist's pass heavy offense is led by Case Freeman at quarterback. He has accumulated a total of almost 2,300 yards this season with 19 touchdowns.
The environment in Weatherford Saturday will most certainly be energized as it will be Homecoming and Senior Day for the Bulldogs. Kickoff for the contest is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. from ASAP Energy Field on the SWOSU campus.
The Northwestern broadcast team of Matt Adair and Dustin Goodno will have the call of the game. Live stats will be available via RideRangersRide.com.
For the latest news and updates on NWOSU football, follow @NWOSUAthletics on TWITTER or visit www.riderangersride.com.
