WEATHERFORD, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern closed out their season in Weatherford at Southwestern Oklahoma State falling 41-28 following a high scoring first half. The Bulldogs opened a 13-0 lead before closing out the victory. Beau Foster led the Rangers in tackles with nine on the game. Darian Gill led the Rangers on offense finishing the game with 141 rushing yards along with 64 receiving yards.
The Bulldogs started early in the opening quarter after receiving the opening kickoff the home team capitalized on their first possession. Southwestern used a seven play drive to start the game to take a 6-0 lead after Brown ran in for one yard before the extra point was missed. The Bulldog defense forced a turnover off an Everson interception to gain possession but the Ranger defense held strong keeping the game at 6-0. Rangers got the ball back but would go three and out before the Southwestern special teams blocked the punt for a touchdown and a 13-0 Bulldog lead.Kaden Taylor answered the call though with a 90 yard kickoff return for a touchdown to cut into the Bulldog lead as after the extra point was good by Connor O'Neal Rangers trailed 13-7. Southwestern answered back though with a 61 yard passing touchdown to take a 20-7 lead closing in on the end of the opening quarter.
Northwestern started the second quarter with the ball marching down the field before a well drawn up drive ended with a 17 play 62 yard drive ending with a touchdown. Everson would find Alex Baxter for a three yard touchdown. The defense stepped up from there forcing back to back stops and a couple of punts before Southwestern struck again on a 25 yard passing touchdown to extend their lead to 34-14. The Red-and-Black special teams came up big once again with their second kickoff return for a touchdown, this time Isaiah Wallace for 88 yards right before the half to bring the Rangers to a 34-21 score at the break.
The second half was the opposite of the first after 55 points at the break the defense made adjustments as neither team would allow a score in the quarter. Southwestern forced one turnover in the quarter while the teams each traded a punt in the quarter. Southwestern closed the third quarter with the ball starting their final touchdown drive into the next quarter.
In the fourth quarter the third play in Southwestern was able to score on a rushing touchdown for a 41-21 lead over the Rangers.Northwestern got the ball back going on a 13 play drive for 72 yards before a turnover on downs in Southwestern territory. Everson found Romar for five yards as he was tackled on the one. The Ranger defense took advantage of the field position forcing a fumble inside the end zone as Isaiah Kellum forced the fumble and recovered it in the end zone for the defensive touchdown. The score now read 41-28 in the fourth quarter. The final five minutes would remain that way as the Rangers fell to the Bulldogs in the season finale.
