Northwestern Oklahoma State traveled to Searcy Arkansas for a Great American Conference matchup with the Bisons. Harding used a balanced game attack scoring in each quarter and forcing two Ranger turnovers to take a 28-7 victory over the Rangers.
The Rangers and Bisons defenses opened the game with key stops holding one another drives short. After a Harding opening first down Dawson Marchant ended that drive with an interception trying to set up the Ranger offense. Following the interception the Rangers were able to find their way into the red zone following a seven play drive. On the eighth play of the drive Harding was able to force Everson into an interception in Harding's end zone keeping the game locked at 0-0. After the teams traded punts Harding was able to strike first with a 67 yard rushing touchdown by Jay to give Harding a 7-0 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
In the second quarter the defense was the story to start as the teams continued to trade punts throughout the quarter. Northwestern put together a long drive starting at the 8:10 mark of the quarter as the 14th play of the drive was intercepted by Harding returned for 63 yards setting up a rushing touchdown to take a 14-0 lead that they would carry into the break.
The opening drive of the third quarter Harding forced Rangers into punting formation but was stopped short of the first down as Stone was not able to run for the first. The Bisons took advantage of the field position setting up their third rushing touchdown of the game taking a 21-0 lead.
Northwestern was able to strike in the fourth quarter as Ethan Everson put the Rangers on the board with a six- yard rushing touchdown to cut the deficit to two scores at 21-7. Harding was able to break for a 73 yard rushing touchdown to close out the game and hold on for a 28-7 victory over the Rangers.
Northwestern will be back in action on Saturday November 5th against Arkansas Tech for the annual homecoming game this season.
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