Sophomore linebacker Ian Ritchey halted Eastern New Mexico quarterback Michael Benton in the backfield on fourth down in double overtime to boost Angelo State (2-3, 2-2 LSC, 1-2 LSC South) to a 28-21 victory over the Greyhounds Saturday afternoon. ENMU fell to 4-2 (3-2 LSC, 0-2 LSC South) with the Homecoming loss.
The game marked just the fourth time in ASU history that the Rams battled their opponent to overtime, improving to 2-2 all-time.
ASU junior tailback Daniel Thomas put the Rams up in their second overtime possession with his third touchdown of the game. Thomas' winning tally was a one-yard run around the left end, following lineman Jorrie Adams who was in at fullback, finding the end zone untouched.
Thomas ended the contest with a game-high 149 yards on 29 carries for his fourth 100-yard performance of the season. He also moved into fifth place on the Rams' all-time rushing list during the game, now with 1,861 career yards. Thomas passed Johnny Cole, who had 1,717 yards during his career from 1975-76.
In the first overtime, Benton, the LSC's leading rusher, gave the Greyhounds a quick 21-14 lead on their second play with a 25-yard run up the middle. It then came down to a fourth-and-one play at the ENMU five-yard line for the Rams when Thomas worked his way into the end zone to even things up, 21-21.
The Rams had held Benton to just 59 rushing yards in regulation, nearly 130 yards under his season average. Benton ended the contest with 96 yards with a score on 21 carries. Running back Tim Hammett led the Greyhounds with 123 yards and two scores on 19 carries. The run-happy ENMU squad went 0-for-5 through the air.
The Greyhounds opened up the scoring on their third play from scrimmage as Hammett took an option pitch around the left end for a 35-yard touchdown run with 11:59 remaining in the first quarter. The play was set up by a fumbled snap on ASU's punt on the Rams' opening possession, setting up the Greyhounds on the ASU 40-yard line.
The Rams took advantage of an ENMU miscue minutes later as Tarric Jones pounced on a Greyhound fumble on the one-yard line. One play later, Thomas knotted the contest, 7-7, with 7:08 left in the first frame.
Angelo State eventually broke the stalemate with 7:33 left in the third quarter as Josh Neiswander connected with Chris Fowler on a 47-yard strike down the seam giving the Rams a 14-7 advantage after the extra point. But, Hammett would lock the game back up, 14-14, with 8:15 left in the contest on a 23-yard run around the right end.
Neiswander ended the game with 199 yards on 19-of-38 passing with a score. He connected with seven different receivers on the afternoon with Fowler leading the way with eight grabs for a career-best 130 yards. This marked the fourth consecutive game that Fowler has led the Rams in receiving and second straight game he amassed over 100 receiving yards.
Defensively, the Rams were sparked by junior safety Michael McLeod's 16 tackles, including 11 solo stops. McLeod recorded five of his tackles in overtime. Ritchey ended the game with 13 tackles and safety Pete Parker added 11 stops.
The Rams return home next Saturday to celebrate Homecoming as they host Abilene Christian at San Angelo Stadium. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.
