By Kenton Brooks

Phoenix Sports Writer

Northwestern State has been a thorn in Bacone College’s side in football for some time now.

The Rangers have a 7-3 advantage in the series — including a 59-7 win last season. For the Warriors, getting a win against NWOSU is an obstacle they need to overcome in the Central States Football League game at Indian Bowl at 2 p.m. today.

“It’s been a while (since Bacone has beaten them) and definitely since we started as a four-year institution again,” Bacone coach Joe Thrasher said. “They’re a great football program. They are currently ranked 11th (in the NAIA poll this week).

“”We’ve won six games and we’re 2-0 in conference with an opportunity to play for a conference championship. We’ve got to win this weekend.”

While Bacone is 6-3 overall and 2-0 in the CSFL, Northwestern is 6-2 and 1-1. The Rangers’ conference loss was 28-14 to Langston University two weeks ago.

“I think we match up well, but, again, we have to overcome that prowess that it’s Northwestern State,” Thrasher said. “They’ve got a great club. It’s a matter of us not making mistakes and playing an efficient game. It’s going to be a tough opponent and we’ve practiced toward that this week. I feel like the guys are ready. It’s just a matter of going out and doing it now.”

The Rangers’ defense impresses Thrasher.

“It’s solid and very athletic,” he said. “They have a freshman at linebacker (Rocky Lee) that’s second in the conference in tackles. Their defensive end Lantz Mathers leads in tackles for loss, sacks and hurries. He’s all over the place.”

Bacone will play without quarterback Erik Walden today as he recovers from a knee injury and Jose Del Rio will get the start. Also, running back Lynn Gross returns to the starting lineup.

“We think Erik has something strained in his knee. The swelling’s gone down,” Thrasher said. “Lynn had good practices this week and we hope to establish that running game against these guys.”

Meanwhile, Northeastern State (1-9 overall and 0-4 in the Lone Star Conference North Division) has nothing to play for but pride today when it faces University of Central Oklahoma (6-4, 4-0) in the regular season finale at Doc Wadley Stadium. Kickoff is 2 p.m.

When the RiverHawks and Bronchos clash today, NSU has to find a way to slow down UCO quarterback Brandon Noohl. The Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week for the last five weeks has completed 159 of 286 passes for 1,883 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has thrown just one interception.