ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Northwestern Oklahoma State University football team falls to fourth ranked Ouachita Baptist Friday night at Benson Field at Cliff Harris Stadium 31-11.
At the half the Tigers felt like they had the game in hand leading 21-0 going into the break. The Rangers started out of the gates in the third quarter scoring 11 unanswered points to trim the Tigers lead to 21-11.
The defense got things going for the Northwestern in the third quarter with two back-to-back OBU possessions, when NWOSU forces fumbles and recovers them to end in a Rangers score. James Ellis forces and recovers the fumble by OBU's Darius Hopkins at the Northwestern 47 yard line.
The Red-and-Black used the momentum to go on a six play 56 yard drive, capped off by a Torrence Stevens 23 yard touchdown throw to Reuben Saint Jean. Brendan Brown follows that up with completing the two-point conversion pass to Raphael Edwards Jr.
The very next possession Marcus Brent strip sacks Brayden Brazeal at the OBU 34 yard line and then recovers the fumble. The Rangers drive down to the one yard line, before stalling out and settling for a Nick Dill 20 yard field goal.
The turning point on Northwestern's comeback was early in the fourth quarter, when Trent Easley went back for a pass and the ball slips out of his hand, OBU recovered and ended the NWOSU 11 play drive on the OBU 25 yard line.
Much like the Rangers always do against Ouachita, they continued battle even when facing a significant deficit. OBU was given a 21-0 start in the first half, but then Northwestern held the Tigers to only 10 points in the second half outscoring them 11-10.
Easley finished with 146 yards on 18 completions, while Stevens was 1 for 1, with the lone touchdown. Easley was also the leader rusher with 53 yards. Jacob Peyton had nine attempts on the ground for 38 yards, while Calion Baker collected 20 yards on three carriers.
Ellis continues to shine, while starting for Dakota Driskill. Ellis led the Rangers with 12 tackles, seven of which were of the solo variety. Ellis also forced and recovered a fumble. Christopher Fuzeme collected six solo tackles, with nine total tackles and a fumble recovery. The Northwestern defense continues their disruption forcing five fumbles and recovering three, which are OBU's only turnovers on the season.
OBU scored on the first drive of the game going 75 yards and ending with a 26 yard touchdown pass from Brazeal to Allie Freeman, who had 11 catches on the game, but only one in the second half.
Brockton Brown rushed for a 1 yard touchdown in the second quarter, then TJ Cole broke away with a 41 yard touchdown run late in the first half, sending the game to half with the Tigers in front 21-0.
Ouachita Baptist ended the game on a 10-0 scoring run over the final 18 minutes. Gabe Goodman hit a 40 yard field goal with a minute to go in the third quarter and Brazeal ran in the final score of the game.
Northwestern will take the field next on Sept. 28 hosting Arkansas-Monticello at Ranger Field, kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
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