SENATOBIA - Although college football season began for some teams last weekend, the first official week of the 2024 season will commence this week, with several games stretching from Thursday well into Labor Day weekend.
In all, a total of 48 former Northwest football student-athletes will suit up for FBS and FCS programs to kick off the season. Additionally, one former Ranger baseball player has made the switch from the outfield to the gridiron, as Thomas Cheatham has made the 2024 roster for Mississippi State as a receiver.
With the transfer portal now a common part of the college football landscape, several Northwest alums have found new homes. Some of the most notable Rangers on the move include Jacoby Jones to UCF, Rayyan Buell to Colorado, Davion Carter to Texas Tech and
Sam Brumfield to Virginia Tech.
(*NOTE: All games, dates, times and channels are subject to change. Times listed are Central Standard Time.)
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Thursday, August 29
UCF vs. New Hampshire - 6 P.M.
Former Rangers: UCF - Jacoby Jones (WR)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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#24 N.C. State vs. Western Carolina - 6 P.M.
Former Rangers: NCST - Jykeveous "Red" Hibbler (DL)
Where to Watch: ACC Network
ULM vs. Jackson State - 6 P.M.
Former Rangers: ULM -
Tristan Shorter (LB),
Charles Thomas (DB),
Jay Mickle (OL); JSU -
B.J. Washington (DB),
Dimonyai Lacey (DL)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Gardner-Webb vs. Wofford - 6 P.M.
Former Rangers: GWU -
Ren Hefley (QB)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Arkansas vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff - 6:30 P.M.
Former Rangers: UAPB -
Ja'Marlin Green (DB)
Where to Watch: ESPNU
#11 Missouri vs. Murray State - 6:30 P.M.
Former Rangers: MSU -
Cam Young (RB)
Where to Watch: SEC Network
Colorado vs. North Dakota State - 7 P.M.
Former Rangers: CU - Rayyan Buell (DL)
Where to Watch: ESPN
UAB vs. Alcorn State - 7 P.M.
Former Rangers: ALCORN - Napoleon Collier (DB)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Tulane vs. Southeastern Louisiana - 7 P.M.
Former Rangers: SELU -
Khamron Ford (DB)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Tulsa vs. Northwestern State - 7 P.M.
Former Rangers: NWST -
Xavier Davis (RB)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Saturday, August 31
Vanderbilt vs. Virginia Tech - 11 A.M.
Former Rangers: VT -
Sam Brumfield (LB)
Where to Watch: ESPN
Purdue vs. Indiana State - 11 A.M.
Former Rangers: ISU -
Keegan Patterson (QB)
Where to Watch: Big Ten Network
Washington State vs. Portland State - 2 P.M.
Former Rangers: WSU -
Stephen Hall (DB)
Where to Watch: The CW
Syracuse vs. Ohio - 2:30 P.M.
Former Rangers: OHIO - Tank Pearson (DB), L.J. Shumpert (DB)
Where to Watch: ACC Network
South Alabama vs. North Texas - 4 P.M.
Former Rangers: USA -
Hayden Dozier (OL); UNT -
D.T. Sheffield (WR)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Mississippi State vs. Eastern Kentucky - 5 P.M.
Former Rangers: EKU -
Jaycob Horn (WR), Kylan Robinson (LB); MSST - Thomas Cheatham (WR)
(*former Ranger baseball player)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Liberty vs. Campbell - 5 P.M.
Former Rangers: LU -
Rod Daniels (DL)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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West Georgia vs. Samford - 5 P.M.
Former Rangers: SAM -
E. Jai Mason (WR)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Tennessee State vs. Mississippi Valley State - 5 P.M.
Former Rangers: MVSU -
Cayden Betts (RB),
Jakobe McLaurin (OL)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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#5 Alabama vs. Western Kentucky - 6 P.M.
Former Rangers: WKU -
Melvin Collins, Jr. (OL)
Where to Watch: ESPN
#6 Ole Miss vs. Furman - 6 P.M.
Former Rangers: OM -
Jarnorris Hopson (WR), Tavion Prather (DL)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Arkansas State vs. Central Arkansas - 6 P.M.
Former Rangers: UCA - Dude Person (DB);
Dylan Spencer (OL),
Kiyon Williams (DL)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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#18 Kansas State vs. UT-Martin - 6 P.M.
Former Rangers: UTM - Vance Van Every (OL),
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Memphis vs. North Alabama - 6 P.M.
Former Rangers: MEM -
Cameron Pascal (OL), William Stewart (LS), Tanner Gillis (K/P)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Prairie View A&M vs. Texas Southern - 6 P.M.
Former Rangers: TXSO -
Thurman Rayborn (DL)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Baylor vs. Tarleton State - 6 P.M.
Former Rangers: TSU - Nijel McGriff (DL)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Texas Tech vs. Abilene Christian - 6:30 P.M.
Former Rangers: TTU - Davion Carter (OL)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Kentucky vs. Southern Miss - 6:45 P.M.
Former Rangers: USM - Desmyn Baker (LB), Ethan Bumgarner (OL),
Zion Edwards (LB),
Shade Foster (QB), Jevan McDonald (DB)
Where to Watch: SEC Network
McNeese vs. Southern - 7 P.M.
Former Rangers: MCNEESE -
David Duvall (OL)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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New Mexico State vs. Southeast Missouri State - 8 P.M.
Former Rangers: SEMO -
Jalen Nettles (OL)
Where to Watch: ESPN+
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Sunday, September 1
Alabama State vs. North Carolina Central - 2 P.M.
Former Rangers: ASU -
Derrick Harden (TE)
Where to Watch: ESPN
