The Wranglers opened the game on offense, driving all the way to the opposing five-yard line. However, quarterback CJ Fowler's pass was intercepted at the goal line, giving the Sugar Skulls an early opportunity to take control. Northern Arizona's defense held strong, limiting Tucson to a field goal on the ensuing possession. The first quarter continued to trend downward for the Wranglers. After a failed fourth-down conversion on their next drive, the Sugar Skulls capitalized with a touchdown, taking a 10-0 lead into the second quarter.
 
The Wranglers found a much-needed spark when wide receiver Deshon Stoudemire caught a pass from Fowler, weaved through multiple defenders, and sprinted 41 yards for a touchdown. The Findlay Toyota Center erupted, and Northern Arizona was back in the game. Over the next three drives, both teams traded touchdowns, as the pace of the game picked up. Down 24-14, the Wranglers found themselves facing third-and-goal from Tucson's four-yard line with just one minute remaining in the half. Fowler lofted a perfectly placed jump ball to wide receiver Jamal Couch, who jumped over a defender and came down with the touchdown. Northern Arizona closed the gap to three points. On the following kickoff, defensive lineman Quran Bouldin forced a fumble, which the Wranglers recovered. They capitalized on the turnover with a field goal from kicker Brandon Fisher, tying the game at 24-24 going into halftime.
 
Northern Arizona carried that momentum into the start of the second half. Defensive end Chizzi Umunakwe recovered another fumble, but on the very next play, Fowler lost the ball while diving for the end zone at the one-yard line. The Wranglers' defense stepped up again with a stop, but the following field goal attempt by Fisher was blocked and returned for a touchdown, giving Tucson a seven-point lead. The Wranglers offense took the field once more, when running back Marvin Kinsey Jr. scored a long touchdown on a great shovel pass by Fowler. However, this was called back due to an offsides penalty. Momentum slipped away after another turnover, which the Sugar Skulls turned into a touchdown, pushing the lead to two possessions entering the final quarter. Tucson never looked back, sealing a 44-24 win. Northern Arizona was shut out in the second half and couldn't recover from the shift in momentum.
 
Defensive back Kieran Page led the team with eight total tackles and two passes defended. Fowler accounted for three total touchdowns, but also had three turnovers. Northern Arizona's losses this season have been characterized by offensive team struggles. The Wranglers now head to Glendale, Ariz., to face the undefeated 3-0 Arizona Rattlers. It will be a challenging matchup, but with the talent on this Northern Arizona roster, it's only a matter of time before things start to click. The Wranglers begin a three-game road stretch before returning home to host the Massachusetts Pirates on Sunday, May 18th.
 
 
The Northern Arizona Wranglers 2025 HOME games, with dates and matchups, and results are listed below.  (All games are listed in AZ time.)
 
Saturday, March 29th, 6:05 P.M. vs Fishers Freight                       LOSS, 41-29
 
Saturday, April 19th, 6:05 P.M. vs Tucson Sugar Skulls               LOSS, 44-24
 
Sunday, May 18th, 3:05 P.M. vs Massachusetts Pirates
 
Saturday, May 24th, 6:05 P.M. vs Arizona Rattlers  
 
Saturday, June 7th, 6:05 P.M. vs Vegas Knight Hawks
 
Saturday, June 14th, 6:05 P.M. vs San Diego Strike Force 
 
Saturday, June 28th, 6:05 P.M. vs Bay Area Panthers 
 
Saturday, July 12th, 6:05 P.M. vs Tucson Sugar Skulls 
 
 
 
Grab your Season Tickets for the 2025 season today! Deposit through the link below and we will contact you to select your seats!
 
https://sparkpages.io/?i=_A1lb
 
 For any Season Ticket inquiries, call us at 928-379-5581 
 
Single game tickets are also on sale now! Grab your seats for our season opener on March 29th through the link below!
 
https://www.ticketmaster.com/naz-wranglers-tickets/artist/2769030
  
You can also email ticketdirector@nazwranglers.com 
 
 
 
Written by: Tucker Welch 
Edited by: Ed Cole
 
 
  Read Full Article