Northwestern Oklahoma State University opened a long opening drive, culminating in a 5-yard touchdown pass from Jax Bernard to Ezequiel Luna to strike first against Southwestern Oklahoma State.
The Opening Drive
The possession began at the 14:52 mark with Northwestern Oklahoma starting at its own 17-yard line. Ezequiel Luna rushed up the middle for a 1-yard gain on the first play, stopped by Devin Gillispie and Jaylen Niedo.
Jax Bernard then connected with Henry Wilson on a short left pass for 21 yards to the NWOSU39, picking up a first down against coverage from Justus Conway. After Luna was stopped for no gain by Niedo, Keith Hargraves sacked Bernard for a loss of 5 yards.
Bernard Drives Northwestern Through Penalties and Third Downs
Facing a 3rd and 15 at the NWOSU34, Bernard found Merric Judd for a 21-yard gain and another first down at the SWOSU45, while an offside penalty against Southwestern Oklahoma was declined. Luna added short runs of 1 yard and 4 yards, sandwiching an incomplete pass intended for Koda Bridges.
Faced with a 4th and 5 at the SWOSU40 and calling a timeout at the 11:23 mark, Northwestern kept the drive alive. Bernard hit Wilson again for 8 yards, securing a fresh set of downs at the SWOSU32.
The progression continued when Bernard targeted Caleb Cornell for a 22-yard completion down to the 10-yard line, defended by Kelton Moore and Javon Singleton. Two plays later, after another short catch by Cornell and a 1-yard run by Luna, the visitors faced a 3rd and 5 at the 5-yard line.
The Scoring Play
At the 09:00 mark, Bernard completed a 5-yard pass to Luna on the right side, resulting in a touchdown and another first down.
Sean Kallauner attempted the extra point with Jacob T. Jones holding and Tyson Clinton snapping, but the kick failed. Following the score, Kash Shipley sent a 57-yard kickoff to the SWOSU08, where Duce Hart returned it 25 yards to the SWOSU33 before being tackled by Sean Wright.
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