MONTICELLO, ARKANSAS - Northwestern Oklahoma State opened the season on Thursday afternoon against Arkansas Monticello in Monticello Arkansas. The Rangers dropped the opener 34-7 to the Weevils after the home team jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the opening quarter.
Rangers drop to 0-1 on the season while Arkansas Monticello moves to 1-0 on the season.
Isaiah Kellum and Coby Tillman led the team with six tackles on the evening defensively and Aiden Lewis, Ageli Muftah had a sack each. Lewis finished with two interceptions as well in the game.
Jahmiq Johnson led the team with 50 yards on the evening followed by Royal Kyle and Mark Zamora with 23 and 21 yards. Kyle caught the touchdown for the Rangers thrown by Beck Moss who finished with 90 passing yards.
In the opening quarter to start the season the two teams traded three outs after Isaiah Kellum came up with a third down stop pushing Demilon Brown back four yards forcing the punt. Two possessions later for Arkansas Monticello is when the scoring open as an 85 yard drive was capped on a 12 yard rushing touchdown by Royal WIlliams. On the next drive the Rangers started driving after the Red and Black started on the Northwestern 40 driving down to the Arkansas Monticello 35 before a completion was fumbled as the Weevils recovered the fumble, running it back for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead over the Rangers to close the 1st quarter.
Northwestern was forced to punt before Arkansas Monticello followed with a 14 play 72 yard drive to extend the home team's lead to 21-0 over the Rangers. The Ranger deficit was pushed to 28 before the Ranger offense struck right before halftime. Beck Moss completed four passes including the final one of the drive to finish off a 3 play 68 yard drive on a four yard touchdown completion to Royal Kyle as the Rangers went into the break down 28-7.
The second half started the same way as the game as the two teams traded punts before Arkansas Monticello offense struck for a touchdown and extended the lead to 34-7. The extra point was blocked by Aaziah Flores. The third quarter remained 34-7 heading into the fourth quarter.
Aiden Lewis stepped up for the defense in the second half coming up with two interceptions putting a stop to a couple of Arkansas Monticello drives down the field. Arkansas Monticello was able to answer back though with an interception from their defense as the game remained 34-7 through the final seconds.
The Rangers fell in the season opener 34-7 on the road to Arkansas Monticello.
Northwestern has the home opener on Thursday September 12th with a 6:00 PM kickoff against Ouachita Baptist.
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