Monticello, Arkansas - Northwestern Football hit the road for a conference road game against the Weevils in Monticello Arkansas. The Rangers were able to clinch their first win of the season 26-23 on the road. Dakota Michaels led his team offensively with 134 passing yards. Bryce Mack collected 12 solo tackles for the defense followed closely by Joseph Saunders with 9.

1st Quarter: 

Northwestern won the coin toss to start the game which initiated a 61 yard kick off from Connor O'Neal. Monticello responded with two back to back rushes to produce their first touchdown. The Weevils missed the extra point, leading the Rangers 6-0. Northwestern fought back with pass completions from Tanner Clarkson to Kobe Washington for 25 yards and Darian Gill for 34 yards. These completions allowed Gill to rush for a Northwestern touchdown. The extra point from O'Neal pushed the Rangers into the lead 7-6. A fumble from Monticello forced by Brian Holiday allowed Joseph Saunders to recover the fumble for another Northwestern touchdown this time from the defense. This extended the Rangers lead 13-6 at the end of the first quarter. 

2nd Quarter:

Both teams settled in trading possession for possession in the second quarter. Zach Stone contributed two punts for the Rangers forcing tough field position for the home team. Off the bench, senior Dakota Michaels strung together a pass completion and a rush to hold onto Northwestern's 13-6 lead. The Weevils responded with a 48 yard field goal to close the gap on the Rangers 13-9 at halftime. 

3rd Quarter:

Michaels strung together rushes and complete passes to achieve another Ranger touchdown to start the third, regaining the first half momentum. Torrence Stevens scored with a 55 yard pass completion from Michaels and O'Neal's extra point kick extended Northwestern's lead to 20-9. Michaels threw to Stevens for another 32 yards for a Ranger first down, extending the drive and setting up a three yard rushing touchdown from Gill furthering Northwestern's lead to 26-9 going into the final quarter. 

4th Quarter:

The Weevils fought back in the fourth with an early 20 yard rushing touchdown. The completed extra point allowed them to trail 26-16. Monticello strung together a rush and 33 yard completion pass to score another touchdown continuing to cut into the Ranger lead. The completed extra point allowed the Weevils to close the gap further on the Rangers 26-23. Northwestern held onto their lead by recovering a fumble. Arkansas Monticello regained possession with a chance to tie the game, however a blocked field goal by Alejandro Aaron recovered by the Rangers clinching their first conference win of the season 26-23 against Arkansas- Monticello. 

The Rangers will return home for a match up against Southeastern Oklahoma State University Saturday October 15th. Northwestern will take the field against the Storm at 2:00 PM on Ranger Field.