FULTON – The fifth-ranked Northwest Rangers rolled up 500 yards of total offense but turned the ball over three times, missed three field goals and allowed a 95-yard kick return for a score in a 27-24 upset loss to Itawamba Thursday night at Eaton Field. 

Itawamba snapped a three-game losing streak to the Rangers in improving to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in the north. Northwest dropped to 1-1 overall and 0-1 in division play.

From the first snap of the game, a false start penalty, and the first play from scrimmage, a pick six, it appeared to be Itawamba's night. 

The host Indians used Jarvis Hayes' 34-yard interception return for a touchdown and followed that with a seven-play, 76-yard drive on their first possession to jump out to a 14-0 lead just 4:50 into the game.

Demarcus Jones' ensuing 75-yard kick return down to the Itawamba 20-yard line gave the Rangers some signs of life, and Northwest was able to punch it in the end zone 20 seconds later on Jack Abraham's 9-yard touchdown toss to JaVonta Payton to make it 14-7.

The Indians marched 63 yards on 15 plays a possession later down to the Rangers' 12-yard line before Chris Stamps' interception in the end zone kept it a one score game.

Back-to-back lengthy drives for Northwest down to the Itawamba 2-yard line and 8-yard line resulted in only three points, with Drake McCarter's 19-yard field goal blocked before connecting on a 25-yarder to make it 14-10 late second quarter.

The ensuing McCarter kickoff was fielded at the 5-yard line by Keshon Heard, a former Ranger, who took it the distance 95 yards to give Itawamba a 21-10 lead at the half.

Both teams came up empty on a pair of drives to start the third quarter before Abraham marched the Rangers 76 yards on eight plays to cut it to a 21-17 game at the end of three. Abraham was 3-for-4 on the drive for 43 yards and Monta Thomas had big gains of 15 and 10 yards, making way for Quarderman Sloan's 13-yard touchdown run. 

After the Ranger defense forced a quick three-and-out to start the fourth quarter, Northwest traveled 99 yards on 10 plays to take its first lead of the game, 24-21, with 10:53 to play. Thomas was once again the workhorse, rushing for 32 yards on the drive before Abraham's 7-yard strike to Jerrick Orr.  

The lead was short-lived, however, as Itawamba responded less than three minutes later. 

Dan Ellington connected with Jamel Thomas for a 38-yard gain on the first play of the drive to setup the Indians deep into Ranger territory, but it quickly turned to a fourth-and-two at the Northwest 29-yard line. Kadarius Forside reached the line to gain and Itawamba would score three plays later on Ellington's 10-yard touchdown pass to Thomas to make it 27-24. The ensuing PAT was blocked to keep it a field goal game. 

Northwest had three different cracks at a chance to take the lead or force overtime with 7:50 to play, but missed a 46-yard field goal, threw an interception and missed another 43-yard field goal to suffer the heartbreaking loss.

The Rangers outgained the Indians 500-278 behind a big night from Abraham, who finished 33-of-56 for 351 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. He hit seven different receivers on the night, led by Orr (8-104-1), Cole Rotenberry (7-105) and Payton (7-51-1), while his 33 completions tied a Northwest single-game school record.

Defensively, Chris Stamps and Keith Brown Jr. led the Rangers with nine tackles apiece, with Stamps forcing two fumbles and adding an interception. Brandon Pierre was credited with both Northwest sacks.

Ellington was 19-of-34 for 224 yards, a touchdown and interception, and added 25 yards on the ground. Devan Hollins led the ICC defense with a career-high 18 tackles, while David Little had six tackles, five breakups and a blocked kick.

Northwest will return home on Thursday, Sept. 21 for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff against Mississippi Delta for Homecoming.