ALVA, Okla. – The Northwestern Oklahoma State football team opens the 2026 season on Thursday night against No. 2 Harding, as the Partridge era begins for the Rangers.

The Rangers return several familiar faces on offense, as senior running back Ezequiel Luna returns after rushing for 406 yards and four touchdowns, while most of last season's wide receiver corps returns, with Royal Kyle, Henry Wilson Jr., Merric Judd, Bailee Davenport, and tight end Brody Williams all returning.

The main difference for the Rangers will be at quarterback, as Jacob T. Jones steps in as the starter. Jones comes from Missouri Baptist University, where he threw for 2,095 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 574 yards and 10 touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, senior linebacker Aiden Lewis returns after leading the team with 83 tackles last season. Lewis also had three TFLs, 1.5 sacks, an interception, and recovered a fumble. Rock Schomaker is also back after recording 57 tackles, including 6.5 TFLs and a sack.

Northwestern received 12th place in the GAC preseason poll, with defending champion and Division II runner-up Harding being crowned the preseason favorite. Two teams from the GAC were listed in the AFCA Division II preseason poll, with Harding placed at No. 2 and Ouachita Baptist at No. 24. Henderson State and Southern Arkansas did not make the poll, but found themselves receiving votes.

After opening the season with Harding, the Rangers will head home to take on Arkansas Tech on Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. with other home games against Oklahoma Baptist, Henderson State, Southeastern, and Ouachita Baptist. The Rangers will have six road trips this season, with trips to Harding, East Central, Southern Arkansas, Southern Nazarene, and Arkansas-Monticello before ending the regular season at Southwestern on Nov. 14.

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