SHAWNEE, Okla. – The Northwestern Oklahoma State University football team had to battle the win and battle the Oklahoma Baptist Bison offense as the Rangers fell to OBU 38-31 on the road Saturday.

Northwestern found itself in a 38-17 hole heading into the fourth quarter. The Ranger offense answered the comeback call with two fourth quarter touchdown passes by Cesar De Leon to Callion Baker and Justin Cain from six yards out and 12 yards out, respectively, to the lead to a touchdown.

However, the Rangers were stopped on fourth down on their final possession of the game. Northwestern’s defense had an opportunity late with the Bison looking at fourth and one, but an offside penalty gave the home team a first down to seal the victory.

NWOSU dropped its record to 3-7 this season and the Bison improved to 4-6. The Rangers will wrap up their season next Saturday as they take on bitter rival Southwestern Oklahoma State in Weatherford in a 5:30 p.m. kickoff contest.

Junior quarterback De Leon finished the game 21-of-31 for 263 yards, three touchdowns and three picks. It was the third time this season De Leon has passed for three touchdowns in a game.

He also added a rushing touchdown on a 10-yard scamper into the end zone in the second quarter.

With Oklahoma Baptist leading the game 14-3 late in the first quarter, De Leon connected with Horatio Smith for a 77-yard touchdown connection for the biggest offensive play by the Rangers this season. Smith led the Rangers with 106 yards on six catches and his touchdown reception and Kentrez Bell pulled in five passes for 69 yards.

Jacob Peyton made a return to the field to lead the Rangers with 72 yards on the ground, while Baker had a career high 71 yards. The Rangers rushed for a total of 216 yards, the fourth time this season they have rushed for 200-plus yards in a game.

Maurice Wright Jr. and Dakota Driskill each finished the game with 10 tackles to lead all tacklers in the game, including eight solo takedowns by Driskill.

With the exception of three more first downs by the Bison, the Rangers led home team in nearly every category on the stat sheet at the end of the game. The Rangers recorded 479 yards of total offense to 362 by the Bison.

Unfortunately, the Rangers also led the game in the penalty category with a total of 153 yards collected via penalties.