ALVA, OKLA. – The East Central University football team fell to Northwestern Oklahoma State, 26-42, in Great American Conference action at Ranger Field.

The Tigers (1-4 GAC) were led by sophomore Trinity Benson, who recorded his first 100+ yard receiving game, nabbing 170 yards on 11 catches and a touchdown.  Senior David Moore added 85 yards and a TD on five catches, while junior Dezmon Jackson recorded 67 yards and a TD on seven catches.

ECU saw two quarterback in the game, with sophomore Jackson Lamb returning to the starter position and going 26-of-43 for 353 yards and three TD's.  Senior Brooks Holder added 115 yards on an 11-of-21 completion record.

The Tigers saw three players pick up at least 10 tackles in the game for the first time this season.  Junior Camnik Campbell and sophomore Ryan Rackley each tallied 12, while redshirt junior Vernon Johnson added 10 and a blocked kick.

ECU ended up out-passing the Rangers (1-4) with 468 yards to 319, but the Tigers struggled on the ground recording -11 yards rushing to 143 by NWOSU.

The first half was a back and forth battle that resulted in the Rangers leading by two (26-28).  The difference could have been greater, as NWOSU seemed to score a touchdown on the opening kickoff.  However, the play was called back due to a holding penalty.

ECU was the first to strike and have it stay on the scoreboard, getting a 51-yard TD pass between Lamb and Moore, with 9:17 left in the first quarter.

The Rangers came back just before the end of the first quarter to tie the game at seven, getting a touchdown after an interception, with 2:35 left.

The second quarter is where the scoring really kicked off, with both teams scoring three touchdowns.  NWOSU started the scoring for a 7-14 lead at 14:46 in the second.

The Tigers countered with a two-yard TD pass between Lamb and Dezmon Jackson to tie the game at 14, with 9:26 left in the half.

The Rangers wasted no time striking again at 9:07 to regain a 14-21 lead.

ECU responded three minutes later, with a nine-yard rushing TD from sophomore Tre'von Jackson.  However, the extra-point kick was blocked to leave the Tigers trailing 20-21, with 6:07 left.

NWOSU scored for the final time in the half, with 4:58 left to play to take a 20-28 advantage.

ECU kept fighting and added their third TD of the quarter, with 40 seconds remaining.  Lamb connected with Benson for a 24-yard pass.  The Tigers went for the two-point conversion to try and tie the game, but the pass failed resulting in the 26-28 score at the half.

The second half saw the scoring slow down dramatically, with only the Rangers adding two more touchdowns to gain the 26-42 win.

ECU will now return home to get ready for a battle with Southwestern Oklahoma State, Saturday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. at Koi Ishto Stadium.