Alva, Okla. ? No need to ask Eric Brock to name the toughest foe on Haskell Indian Nations University’s football schedule.

Northwestern Oklahoma State, currently ranked No. 4 in the NAIA poll, is the obvious answer. Moreover, the Rangers (2-0) can boast three straight lopsided victories over the Fightin’ Indians.

“They’ve got so many weapons,” said Brock, the Indians’ second-year coach.

Kickoff will be 2 p.m. today at Ranger Field on the NSU campus.

Northwestern is led by quarterback Patrick Crayton, a senior who has compiled 371 yards total offense in the first two games.

“We have to make sure he makes quick decisions and can’t use his athleticism against us,” Brock said. “We can’t let them get their option going.”

Haskell (2-1) is coming off a 60-0 thrashing of Trinity Bible College, but the Rangers are light-years better than Trinity. In three previous meetings with Northwestern, Haskell has been outgunned by an average score of 61-4.

HINU features a balanced attack that depends on running backs Chad Murphy and Carl Huff taking the pressure off quarterback Pete Hahn so he can look for wide receivers Cody Wilson and Chris Muniz.

“They look like the best Haskell team I’ve seen,” Rangers’ coach Garin Higgins said. “We must play up to our capabilities and not let down.”

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The Indians’ next game will be Oct. 4 at against Southwestern Assemblies of God.

Brock also learned this week that the Tribe has an open date on Oct. 25. HINU was scheduled to play host to Dallas University that day, but the Texas school dropped its program.

“I’ve been searching to find a team with the same open date,” Brock said, “but I haven’t been successful.”

Probable Haskell Starters

Offense

WR–Cody Wilson, 6-2, 185, Soph. LT–Dale Black Cloud, 6-0, 260, Jr. LG–Kelvin Starks, 6-1, 295, Fr., C–Kiah Smith, 6-0, 250, Sr. RG–Tim Holt, 6-0, 295, Sr. RT–Jerad Roberts, 6-0, 225, Fr. TE–Adam Anderson, 6-2, 240, Jr. QB–Pete Hahn, 6-2, 235, Jr. TB–Chad Murphy, 5-9, 210, Fr. FB–Billy Gilbert, 5-11, 180, Soph. SE–Chris Muniz, 6-2, 195, Jr.

Defense

LE–Catcuce Tiger, 5-11, 240, Fr. NG–Mike See, 6-2, 210, Soph. RE–Blaine Wise, 6-2, 230, Fr. OLB–Andrew Cole, 6-0, 215, Fr. MLB–Leonard Summers, 5-9, 197, Fr., OLB–Matt Kalfsbeck, 6-1, 220, Jr. SS–Ben Baker, 5-10, 215, Fr. SS–Martin Woods, 6-1, 185, Jr. CB–Brett Blythe, 6-0, 170, Sr. CB–Chris Begay, 5-9, 160, Fr. FS–Antonio Hays, 6-0, 200, Fr.