In the 42nd edition of the Border Battle between Northern Oklahoma A&M and Coffeyville, the Golden Norsemen used a strong running game and stout pass defense to defeat the Red Ravens 31-14 at Red Robertson Field Saturday night.

 

NEO struck first after an interception by Coffeyville quarterback John Nicholas deep in Norsemen territory. Running back Nathaniel Stanley capped a lengthy drive with a 14-yard rushing touchdown to give NEO a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Stanley found the end zone again in the second quarter, this time from 19 yards out, to double the Norsemen's advantage.

 

Coffeyville answered with 7:34 left in the first half when Nicholas connected with sophomore wide receiver Tyler Jackson in the back-left corner of the end zone for the Red Ravens' first touchdown of the season. NEO added a late field goal, taking a 17-7 lead into the break.

 

The Norsemen extended their advantage in the third quarter when quarterback Jackson Jensen found Todd James for a 17-yard touchdown pass, making it 24-7.

 

Coffeyville cut the deficit back to 10 when Nicholas again found Jackson for a touchdown, but NEO put the game away late in the fourth quarter as Stanley scored his third rushing touchdown of the night.

 

Coffeyville falls to 0-1 to begin the season and will return home next Saturday to face defending NJCAA national champion Iowa Western. Kickoff at Veterans Memorial Stadium is set for 1 p.m.