ALVA, OKLA. - The Northwestern Oklahoma State football team could not overcome a two touchdown first quarter from the Bulldogs as they fell to Southwestern 45-3 on senior day. 

Southwestern opened the scoring with a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback MJ Rivers to Baylor Nash with just under ten minutes left in the first quarter. Northwestern put a solid drive together before an unfortunate fumble inside the 20 yard line gave the ball back to Southwestern. The Bulldogs capitalized on the turnover with their second touchdown of the quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by Red Martel.

The Ranger defense held tough in the second quarter of play, limiting the Bulldogs to 36 passing yards total in the quarter. Offensively, Northwestern found most of their success through the air in the quarter totaling 97 passing yards. Kale Purvis put the finishing touches on a 13 play drive with a 53 yard field goal attempt cutting Southwestern's lead to 17-3. Southwestern added a touchdown late in the second quarter pushing the lead to 24-3 going into halftime.

The second half started quiet as neither side put points on the board, until Southwestern found the endzone on a 29-yard touchdown pass, then on their next drive of the quarter would add another score bringing the score to 38-3. The Bulldogs found the end zone early in the fourth quarter increasing their lead to 45-3 over the Rangers. 

Caleb Deal led Northwestern offensively with 178 total yards of offense. Royal Kyle led all Ranger receivers with 38 receiving yards on the day. Defensively, Northwestern was led by Aiden Lewis who recorded seven tackles and Braden Darrell who recorded six of his own.

Northwestern finishes the season with a 2-9 record and finishes 10th in the Great American Conference.

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