SENATOBIA – Scoreless after a quarter in an NJCAA Top 15 showdown Thursday, No. 3 Northwest scored touchdowns on four of its final six possessions and held No. 14 Holmes to a season-low 252 yards to knock off the Bulldogs 27-14 on Homecoming at Bobby Franklin Field. 

Northwest stayed unbeaten at 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the north division while Holmes fell to 3-2 and 1-1 in division play. It was the Rangers' 19th win over Holmes in the last 21 tries.

A Jatavis Whitley blocked punt 15 seconds into the second quarter, that was returned by Orinthia May 11 yards for a touchdown, put Holmes on top 7-0.

Northwest responded two drives later, traveling 92 yards on 15 plays, capped off by Kevin Perkins' 3-yard touchdown run. Jacob Free connected with five different Rangers through the air on the drive.

After forcing a Holmes punt, Northwest found paydirt again, this time in 1:54. Free hit five of six targets on the drive and connected with Monterio Hunt from six yards out – his first collegiate touchdown – to put the Rangers in front 14-7 at the half.

Cedrick Moffett's interception on the Rangers' opening drive of the second half led to the Bulldogs' tying score four minutes later. A 42-yard burst from Jesse Wilson setup Gabe Short's 3-yard touchdown run to make it 14-14.

Holmes tried some trickery on the ensuing kickoff, with Easton Curry kicking and recovering an onside kick. Holmes was unable to do anything with the extra possession, managing just 13 yards.

Northwest took its very next drive 56 yards over 3:13 to push back in front by a touchdown. A big 17-yard run by Chris Calvert led to a perfect strike from Free to Braden Smith from 26 yards out for a score. The PAT was no good to make it 20-14 Rangers.

A quick three-and-out immediately gave Northwest the ball back at its 41-yard line. Free maneuvered the Rangers 59 yards down the field, hitting five of six targets for 51 yards, before Calvert punched it in for a 27-14 lead.

The Northwest defense was strong down the stretch, holding Holmes scoreless over their final four possessions. 

Brandin Echols, Robert Miller and Brandon Pierre had eight stops apiece to lead the defense, with Pierre adding two tackles-for-loss, a sack and fumble recovery. 

Offensively, Free was 28-of-41 for 269 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, hitting seven different receivers. JaVonta Payton had seven grabs for 94 yards, Hunt had eight for 47 and a score.

Holmes was held to 42 yards passing on 7-of-22 aim. Wilson had 95 yards on the ground to lead the Bulldogs.

Northwest will entertain the reigning NJCAA National Champions and No. 1 East Mississippi Thursday, Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m.