BETHANY, OKLAHOMA - The Ranger football team hit the road Saturday for their first of two straight conference road games. After leading through three quarters the Crimson Storm answered in the fourth quarter shutting the Rangers out while scoring the only touchdown of the quarter to take the 27-21 win over the Red-and-Black.
Northwestern drops to 1-7 on the season while Southern Nazarene improves to 3-5.
The defense started strong in this one forcing a turnover on downs after a 4th down stop by Nehemiah Lewis holding the Crimson Storm a yard short of the first. After the Rangers punted the ball back the Crimson Storm reached the end zone for the first time on a Gage Porter rushing touchdown to open the scoring. Northwestern answered back though after a 2:30 minute drive ending on a Dakota Michaels rushing touchdown to bring the score 7-7 at the conclusion of the first quarter.
In the second quarter the teams remained scoreless until later in the quarter. After the Crimson Storm worked down to the Rangers 13, Brian Holiday forced Porter to a fumble on the Ranger 10 as Holiday recovered the fumble giving Northwestern possession back. Michaels led a 10 play 90 play drive for the Rangers taking advantage of the Porter fumble as it was turned into points concluding in a one yard rushing touchdown by Jacob Reed for a 14-7 Ranger lead.
Northwestern would take this lead into halftime as the defense came up big once again forcing Porter to his second fumble of the afternoon, this one forced by Chima Ozz and recovered by Holiday his second of the game.
In the 3rd quarter the Rangers were forced to punt the opening possession away as the Crimson Storm took over the ball before evening the score at 14. Southern Nazarene used a five play 50 yard drive ending in a Porter rushing touchdown. Northwestern had the answer though after starting on their own 25-yard line Michaels would lead a 75 yard drive to regain the lead. Reed rushed for back to back first downs before an 18 yard pass to Braden Reichert set up a 19 yard touchdown pass from Michaels to Torrence Stevens for a 21-14 Ranger lead. The Crimson Storm on the next possession ran for a 34-yard touchdown to tie the score right before the end of the quarter.
The fourth quarter opened 21-21 as it remained that way until the 10:16 mark. The Crimson Storm used a nine play drive ending in a Porter 21 yard rushing touchdown. Northwestern had their best chance of answering back with their final drive getting down to the Crimson Storm seven yard line for first in goal. However Southern Nazarene was able to stop the drive there to hold on to the 27-21 victory over the Ranger Saturday.
Northwestern will travel to Arkansas next week to play Harding on the road October 29th with kickoff set for 3:00 PM.
