ADA, Okla. – The East Central University football team faced off against Northwestern Oklahoma State University for a Great American Conference matchup on Saturday afternoon at Koi Ishto Stadium. Despite a brief first-quarter lead for the Rangers, the Tigers rallied to score 17 unanswered points to secure the 20-14 victory.
 
With the win, ECU improves to 2-5 in conference play, while Northwestern drops to 1-6.
 
The Tigers had a slow start, as a promising 20-yard first down pass to K.J. Peoples ended with a Ranger interception, preventing them from scoring. However, the ECU defense responded by forcing Northwestern to punt. On their next drive, the Tigers advanced down the field, culminating in a 26-yard field goal from Brandon Perez, giving ECU a 3-0 lead.
 
Although Northwestern managed to capitalize on a nine-play, 83-yard drive that resulted in a 23-yard touchdown pass for the 7-3 advantage, ECU struck back in the second quarter.
 
After a series of punts by both teams, ECU went on a lengthy 13-play, 65-yard drive, capped off by Sergio Kennedy's six-yard touchdown pass to Kylin Mathis to regain the lead at 10-7. With the help of a key defensive play by Tavare Smith Jr., who grabbed an interception, the Tigers maintained that lead heading into halftime.
 
ECU maintained their momentum into the second half, as Northwestern was forced to punt once again. The Tigers capitalized with a 28-yard pass to K.J. Peoples, which set up a 12-yard rushing touchdown from Cade Searcy, extending their lead to 17-7 as they entered the final quarter.
 
Despite the Rangers forcing an early fourth-quarter punt to the Tigers, they could not break through the steadfast ECU defense. The Tigers then orchestrated a 12-play, 52 yard drive, burning six minutes off the clock to widen their lead 20-7 with a clutch 51-yard field goal from Brandon Perez, marking a new career high.
 
The Rangers managed one final touchdown to cut the deficit to 20-14, but an unsuccessful onside kick allowed ECU to run down the clock, sealing their victory.
 
Sergio Kennedy completed 19 of 32 passes for 179 yards and one touchdown. Cade Searcy led the rushing attack with 12 carries for 48 yards and a touchdown, while also contributing four receptions for 43 yards. K.J. Peoples recorded four catches for 53 yards, highlighted by a long of 28 yards.
 
Defensively, Molinsky Desire, Seth Aguilera, and Prince Umanmielen each had one sack, while Tavare Smith Jr. notched his second interception of the season.
 
On special teams, Reece Conner averaged an impressive 46.6 yards per punt, with a long of 55 yards. Brandon Perez was perfect on extra points and successfully kicked field goals of 26 and 51 yards.
 
The ECU football team will hit the road next week to take on Southern Nazarene University on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 2 pm.