Wranglers Win Turnover Fest At Tucson 31-21

Photo: 23 Kishawn Walker had six tackles and an interception in the win at Tucson

The Northern Arizona Wranglers wrapped up a three game road trip with a 31-21 win over the Tucson Sugar Skulls. The game had nine total turnovers, five by the Sugar Skulls, resulting in two scoreless quarters for both squads.

Despite a scoreless first quarter, each team had their chances.

Jarrod Ware Jr. was a victim not giving up on a play, fighting the defenders to get into the end zone, but was stripped of the ball at the one. Tucson recovered the fumble in the end zone for the touchback.

Tucson moved the ball, but the Wrangler’s Daniel Wright took it back as he stripped Carrington Thompson after a reception. Dorian Walker picked up the loose ball, bolting down the sideline, getting knocked out of bounds at the Sugar Skulls one yard line.

The Wranglers struggled to score on a tough Tucson defense, but did the first play of the second quarter, on fourth down by Ware Jr. Brandon Fischer added the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

Tucson quarterback, Ramone Atkins felt the pressure releasing a pass up for grabs. Defensive back Travion Banks picked it off, and returned it 40 yards to the Sugar Skull two yard line. The Wranglers scored on an 8 yard pass from Garrett Kettle to Ware Jr., after recovering their own fumble that lost seven yards to the eight. Fischer was true again for a 14-0 lead with 9:08 left in the second quarter.

Tucson put themselves behind the sticks after a holding call, but overcame the first and 20 to score on a touchdown pass to cut the Wrangler lead to 14-6 with three minutes left in the first half.

The Wranglers added another TD when Kettle hit Ryan Wisniewski down to the Sugar Skull ten yard line, setting up as the QB called his own number, scoring on a two yard run with a minute left in the half for a 21-6 lead.

Tucson Trae’varis Ferrell grabbed the squib kick by Fischer and returned it to the NAZ 13. Mike Jones scored from six yards out with just :21 left. The two point attempt run by Atkins made it 21-14.

Kettle connected with passes to Justin Manyweather, and Wisniewski, to get the ball down to the five yard line with six seconds left. Northern Arizona settled for a 19 yard field goal to lead 24-14 at the half.

The Wranglers turned the ball over to start the second half when Kettles pass was tipped and picked off. Tucson elected to go on fourth down, but the pressure forced another bad pass. Dorian Walker stepped in front of the receiver, looking like he had a pick six, but the officials called an illegal block, placing the ball at the Wrangler seven. Northern Arizona was forced to settle for a 37 yard field goal attempt that missed.

A fourth Tucson turnover, this time a fumble by Mike Jones, was recovered by Walker at the Sugar Skull 20, as the scoreless third quarter came to an end.

The Wranglers turned the ball over again when Mike Minter picked off the deflected pass from Kettle, pulling the ball in at the goal line.

The Sugar Skulls broke through first in the final quarter when Atkins hit Scott, and with the PAT, the Wranglers lead was now trimmed to 24-21, with eleven minutes left.

Kettle was picked off by Rashie Hodge at the Tucson 16 midway through the fourth. Tucson returned the favor when Banks picked off Atkins at the NAZ 12. Tucson committed an illegal blitz penalty, giving the Wranglers a first down with under a minute to play at the Sugar Skull two yard line. Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman took the handoff from Kettle to score the only NAZ touchdown of the second half, giving the visitors a 31-21 lead with :50 left.

Tramond Lofton came up with his second sack of Atkins, and more pressure followed, leading to an incomplete pass on fourth down, sealing the deal for the Wranglers. The Sugar Skulls dropped their second straight home game after opening up with three wins on the road.

Garrett Kettle led the Wranglers with 133 yards passing, on 10-18-3, plus 50 yards rushing. Ryan Wisniewski pulled in four passes for 97 yards. Tucson’s Ramone Atkins went 19-32-3 for 162 yards and two touchdowns. Mike Jones had 14 carries for 44 yards and a score.

Defensively, Travion Banks had two interceptions, returning them for 40 yards. Daniel Wright had nine tackles, Whisenhunt with eight, Lofton had four including three for lost yardage. Theo Majette had two tackles, one for lost yardage, but was instrumental in pressuring Atkins.

Tucson goes out on the road, while the Wranglers have a little payback in store for the Bay Area Panthers. NAZ got pounded 47-13 in San Jose on April 23. Wrangler fans can welcome familiar faces in defensive coordinator Rob Keefe, and players Marquise Bridges, Williams Atkins, Trae Meadows, and Darin Hungerford, from last years championship squad.

Kickoff at the Findlay Toyota Center is set for Saturday at 6:05 pm.

NORTHERN ARIZONA WRANGLERS 31, TUCSON SUGAR SKULLS 21

Score by Quarters – 1 2 3 4 – T

Northern Arizona 0 24 0 7 – 31

Tucson 0 14 0 7 – 21

Scoring Summary

NAZ-Ware Jr. 2 yard run (Fischer kick)

NAZ-Ware Jr. 8 yard pass from Kettle (Fischer kick)

T-Thompson 8 yard pass from Atkins (Kick failed)

NAZ-Kettle 1 yard run (Fischer kick)

T-Jones 3 yard run (Atkins run)

NAZ-Fischer 19 yard field goal