Bisons Football team will head out for their farthest road game of the regular season to play Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU) on Oct. 14 in Alva, Oklahoma.
While the Bisons had a slow start to the season, they have started to get the ball rolling with the last couple of wins, according to assistant defensive line coach, Romas Roberson. Roberson said he thinks the team should have no problems getting ready for the game against NWOSU.
“Our guys come in and work hard early in the week,” Roberson said. “They always come in focused and ready to learn about the next opponent.”
A win against the Rangers would put the Bisons above .500. Both Roberson and junior linebacker Sam Blankenship said that this would be huge for boosting team confidence and keeping the momentum going.
NWOSU is known for spreading the ball out and throwing often according to Blankenship. Roberson also said the Rangers have always had a good quarterback, and last year they had to keep coming with their front seven. He said that it has always been a fun game for the Bisons.
“We are working more on pass coverages,” Blankenship said. “We will be able to lock them down on the perimeter, and I think our defensive line is really going to dominate their offensive line and get after their quarterback. It’s really hard to throw the ball when you’ve got guys in your face all the time.”
According to sophomore nose-guard Taylor Mason, Northwestern has a balanced offense. Their passing and rushing statistics are almost identical to Harding’s. He says that defensively the team has to be prepared for anything.
While this game may be on the road, the Bisons are not afraid of how this will affect the outcome of the game. Roberson said that the Bisons have always played well on the road against Northwestern and Mason agrees that he has no doubt that the team will come together as a family and perform.
“Our coaches work hard to provide the things we need to set us up for success,” Mason said. “I am very proud of my brothers and our coaching staff for how hard they are working. When it comes down to it, I know that I can trust the guy beside me to hold the rope, and he knows he can trust me.”
