The Angelo State Rams (0-1) were literally inches away from maybe the biggest upset in recent history of the program Thursday night. With just under seven minutes to go in the contest, a Josh Neiswander pass was just out of reach of Sam Tindol's grasp on a fourth-and-four play, allowing Sam Houston State to hold on for a 17-13 victory at Bowers Stadium.
It was a hot and humid night in Huntsville, but it was the home team that suffered from the conditions. After taking a 17-7 lead at halftime, the host Bearkats did not score another point for the rest of the night as the Ram defense found its stride.
The Ram defense showed signs of what was to come early in the contest as Ian Ritchey picked off SHSU quarterback Rhett Bomar on the Bearkats third play from scrimmage to give Angelo State early momentum. But a failed fourth-down conversion on the ensuing drive kept the Rams off the scoreboard.
The Bearkats would score two plays later as Bomar connected with Justin Wells on a 64-yard touchdown strike with 9:47 left in the first quarter. After a three-and-out by the Rams, SHSU marched down the field for a second score, this time a 30-yard field goal by Taylor Wilkins, capping a 14-play, 57-yard drive with 43 seconds left in the quarter.
The Rams then began to click on offense on their next possession. After storming down the field with a drive of over seven minutes, ASU's hopes get on the scoreboard were dashed on a botched field goal attempt. Sam Houston State responded with a 93-yard drive capped by an eight-yard scoring run by Bomar with 2:15 remaining in the first half.
Angelo State had one more shot to score in the first half, but after another three-and-out, it looked as if the Rams would be shutout going into the locker room. However, a Bearkat fumble on the ASU punt was scooped up by Sam Tindol who scurried 33 yards to slice the advantage to 10 points at the break.
The Rams would hold SHSU to just 135 yards over the final two quarters of play, half of what the Bearkats posted in the first half. ASU held the Bearkats on a fourth down on their first possession of the second half and responded with a 34-yard field goal by Brad Holcomb on its next drive to cut the lead to 17-10 with 6:35 left in the third quarter. The Rams then forced the first SHSU punt of the evening which led to Holcomb's second third-quarter field goal, a 28-yarder with 1:32 left in the period.
Junior tailback Daniel Thomas was the workhorse for the Rams on Thursday as he rushed for 102 yards on a career-high 31 carries. The performance marked the second time he has rushed for more than 100 yards in his career at ASU. Tindol also ended the game with a career performance as he pulled in five catches for a career-best 123 yards, including grabs of 61 and 42 yards in the second half, in addition to his special team's score. Neiswander closed out the night 11-for-22 for 182 yards and no interceptions.
The Rams were led defensively by senior linebacker Daniel Smith, who tallied six tackles, four solo, in the contest. Tanner Jacobs and Quinton Butler each added five tackles.
For the Bearkats (1-0), Bomar tossed for 204 yards on 16-of-24 passing with a score while adding 24 yards on the ground and another touchdown. Tailback Chris Poullard netted a game-high 131 yards on 22 carries while pulling in five catches for 71 yards, both team highs, for SHSU.
The Rams continue their road swing at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, as they visit East Central in Ada, Okla., to open up Lone Star Conference play.
