ALVA, OKLAHOMA - The Ranger Football team was set for their third game of the season this one against Southern Nazarene. The Crimson Storm jumped out early and took a 17 point lead into halftime before closing out a 42-29 win over the Rangers.
The win improves Southern Nazarene to 2-1 on the season as the Rangers fall to 0-3.
Darian Gill led the Rangers in rushing with 102 rushing yards along with one rushing touchdown. Ethan Everson led in passing with 331 yards including two touchdowns with his longest being a 76 yarder. Travis Romar had his biggest game of the season with 130 yards and a touchdown.
Out of the jump the Rangers kicked off as Southern Nazarene started marching down the field before Isaiah Curry forced a fumble as the Rangers recovered on their own 49. The Rangers were forced to punt before the Crimson Storm took over and capitalized on good field position to get the first points of the game taking a 7-0 lead on a 16 yard passing touchdown. The Crimson Storm later took a 14-0 lead before the Rangers got on the board. Darian Gill closed off a drive with a 47 yard rushing touchdown to cut the deficit in half. Southern Nazarene scored on a 21 yard rushing play in the closing seconds of the quarter to take a 20-7 lead over the Rangers.
In the second quarter the Storm were the first to score taking a 27-7 lead over the Rangers. The defense took over in the quarter forcing multiple stops and a couple turnovers as Gage Porter fumbled as Antoine Martin got a fumble recovery. The score remained 27-7 into the final seconds before halftime as the Rangers gained some momentum driving down the field and finishing the drive with a field goal. Northwestern trailed 27-10 at the break.
After the teams traded punts Northwestern was the first on the board in the second half as Everson closed out the drive with a rushing touchdown. The first play from scrimmage the Storm fumbled the ball as Isaiah Kellum forced it and recovered by Wilson Cal. Took the Rangers just three plays to capitalize on the turnover as Everson found Torrence Stevens in the back of the end zone for a eight yard touchdown as the Rangers now trailed 27-23. Southern Nazarene answered back with one touchdown to take a 34-23 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The fourth quarter remained scoreless for half the quarter when the Rangers took over on the 24 yard line following a blocked field goal by Dawson Marchant. After the Rangers took over, the first play from scrimmage saw Everson go deep to Romar for a 76 yard touchdown as the Rangers trailed 34-29. The Rangers had another chance to take the lead after forcing a turnover on downs stopping Porter on a tackle by Gabe Dozier. The first play from scrimmage Everson connected with Chase Davidson for 54 yards getting the Rangers down to the Southern Nazarene seven yard line. The SNU defense was able to hold, forcing the Rangers into a turnover on downs. They later capitalized on the defensive stand, scoring to put the game out of reach with a minute left as the Rangers trailed 42-29.
This remained the final score as the Rangers dropped their third straight game this time 42-29.
Northwestern will be back in action on Saturday afternoon in Durant, Oklahoma against Southeastern Oklahoma State on September 23rd.
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