The Angelo State (1-2) offense put a full game together for the first time this season as the Rams downed Central Oklahoma, 27-18, Saturday night at San Angelo Stadium.
For the first time this season, the Rams struck first and on Saturday night they never relinquished their lead as they improved to 1-1 in Lone Star Conference play. The Bronchos (1-2) were handed their second consecutive loss and fell to 1-1 in LSC play as well.
Junior tailback Daniel Thomas fell just shy of his third straight 100-yard performance to open the season as he ran for 93 yards on a career-high 34 carries with two first half touchdowns to boost the Rams to an early lead.
Thomas' first score of the night kicked things off for ASU as he found pay dirt from four yards out with just over 10 minutes left in the first quarter to give the Rams a quick 7-0 lead. The scoring drive was set up by a huge special teams play as UCO coughed up a punt which was recovered by ASU's Brandon Clark at the Broncho 27-yard line.
The Bronchos cut the ASU lead down to four points, 7-3, late in the first quarter as they got a 23-yard field goal from Chad Susman with 33 seconds left in the period.
After trading defensive stops in the second period, Angelo State added to its lead with 1:50 remaining before the break as Thomas scampered in from eight yards out to give the Rams a 14-3 cushion at the intermission. The run capped a 10-play, 77-yard drive that spanned over four minutes as the Rams took control of the momentum of the contest entering halftime.
The Rams extended their lead late in the third quarter as back up quarterback Jay Immel connected with Chris Fowler on a tip drill in the endzone for a 23-yard strike. Immel took over on the drive for starter Josh Neiswander, was shaken up on a personal foul late hit out of bounds four plays earlier. However, on UCO's first play of its ensuing possession, tailback Ben Birmingham broke off a 78-yard run to briefly silence the Ram faithful.
ASU answered on its first play of the fourth quarter when a returning Neiswander found Antwon Wiliams over two UCO defenders in the corner of the end zone to boost the Rams back up by more than two scores, 27-10. UCO would add a final score, along with a two-point conversion, on a one-yard run by Maurice Little with 4:35 left in the contest, but it would not be enough.
Neiswander ended the night with 153 yards on 12-of-26 passing with a touchdown and an interception. His favorite target on the night was Fowler who pulled in six grabs for 76 yards and a score. Drew Peterson added three catches for 46 yards.
Linebacker Jordan Cortez led the Rams defensively as he tallied a team-best nine tackles on the night, while defensive back Brandon Eubanks continued to impress with seven tackles. Linebacker Daniel Smith added six stops and defensive backs Markeith Jones and Jared Hicks each registered five tackles. Jones, Hicks and Tarric Jones each collected interceptions on the night.
For UCO, Birmingham was a standout performer with 145 yards on 15 carries with a score. Broncho quarterback Ryan O'Hara went 14-for-33 with three interceptions, connecting with four different receivers three times each. Marcellus Parker led the pack with his three catches for 80 yards. Jermelle Cudjo led the Bronchos with 10 tackles.
The Rams will take a week off before returning to action Saturday, Sept. 29th, when they host Midwestern State to open up LSC South Division play. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at San Angelo Stadium.
