ADA, Okla. – The East Central University football team continued its thrilling start to the 2026 season Saturday night, defeating Northwestern Oklahoma State University, 42-24, at Koi Ishto Stadium to remain unbeaten in Great American Conference play.
The Tigers' 4-0 start marks the program's best start to a season since 1983, continuing a historic opening stretch for ECU as the Tigers remain perfect through the first four games of the season.
Northwestern Oklahoma State struck first with a touchdown midway through the opening quarter, but ECU answered just 23 seconds later when
Sergio Kennedy broke free for a 90-yard rushing touchdown to give the Tigers their first lead of the night, 7-6. The run marked the longest rushing touchdown of Kennedy's career.
The Rangers added a field goal early in the second quarter to briefly regain the lead, but the Tigers responded with two consecutive scoring drives.
Quincy Thompson capped an 11-play, 74-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run to put ECU back in front, 14-9. Kennedy then connected with
Jonathan Brown for a 19-yard touchdown with 2:58 remaining in the half, extending the Tigers' lead to 21-9.
Northwestern answered with a touchdown late in the half, sending ECU into the break with a 21-16 advantage.
The Tigers came out firing in the second half, needing just 15 seconds to find the end zone again. Kennedy connected with Brown for a 72-yard touchdown on ECU's opening play of the third quarter, pushing the lead to 28-16.
ECU added to its advantage early in the fourth quarter when Thompson found the end zone for the second time, finishing a six-play, 63-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown run to make it 35-16.
The Rangers answered with a touchdown to cut the deficit to 35-24, but the Tigers quickly responded once again. Kennedy capped an eight-play, 75-yard drive with a 21-yard rushing touchdown with 7:36 remaining, giving ECU a 42-24 lead.
ECU finished the night with a season-high 564 yards of total offense, including 309 yards on the ground, while averaging 9.6 yards per play. The Tigers found the end zone six times, with four rushing touchdowns and two through the air, and converted 9-of-11 third-down opportunities.
Sergio Kennedy continued to lead the Tigers' high-powered offense with a standout performance through the air and on the ground. He completed 16-of-23 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns while adding 164 rushing yards and two more touchdowns on just six carries. His 90-yard touchdown run was the longest of his career, while his 419 total yards accounted for nearly three-fourths of ECU's total offense.
Quincy Thompson also played a key role in the Tigers' offensive success, rushing for 100 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries while averaging 5.6 yards per carry.
Jonathan Brown led ECU's receiving corps with 91 yards and two touchdowns on just two catches, including the 72-yard touchdown that opened the second half.
Xavier Gordon added five receptions for 62 yards, while
Justin Underwood recorded four catches for 53 yards.
Conner Combs contributed two receptions for 44 yards, giving the Tigers four receivers with at least 44 receiving yards.
Defensively,
Caden Pickens led the Tigers with 11 total tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and a 14-yard sack.
Devayne Johnson added seven tackles and a sack, while
Treveon Tutt and
Nathaniel Rainey each finished with five tackles.
Justin McCray and
Dalton Dollar each recorded a sack, with McCray also adding 1.5 tackles for loss.
Lane Johnson recorded two quarterback hurries, while
Amin White and
Qwalan Miller each recorded two pass breakups.
The Tigers will remain at Koi Ishto Stadium next week, hosting Harding University on Saturday, Oct. 3, with kickoff set for 2 p.m.
