Big plays put the Angelo State football team (3-4) behind early and it never recovered as the Rams fell, 51-7, at rival Abilene Christian Saturday night in Abilene.

The No. 3-ranked Wildcats (6-0) used two touchdown strikes of more than 50 yards from Billy Malone to Johnny Knox in the first quarter to take an early lead. The duo connected for a 59-yard score with just 1:11 into the contest on ACU's first possession of the game. The tandem then combined for a 60-yard touchdown with 2:24 left in the first frame to put the Wildcats up 14-0. The two scoring drives took just seven plays combined and used less than three minutes.

ACU added a sustained drive early in the second quarter as Bernard Scott capped a nine-play, 53-yard drive with a one-yard plunge to put the Wildcats up 21-0 with 9:30 remaining in the half. The Rams would respond this time, however, as senior tailback Daniel Thomas found pay dirt on ASU's next plan, a career-long 87-yard run to cut the ACU lead back two touchdowns, 21-7, with 9:12 left before the break.

The Wildcats added a 39-yard field goal by Matt Adams and a third touchdown pass by Malone, this time a five-yard connection with tight end Kendrick Holloway with under a minute play in the half to take a 31-7 advantage into the locker room.

The ACU defense got into the action in the third quarter as defensive back Quintin Campbell returned an interception 56 yards to put the host Wildcats up 38-7. Abilene Christian added another big play late in the third frame as Malone once again connected with Knox, this time from 47 yards, to give the Wildcats a 44-7 advantage after a blocked extra point by Ram resdshirt freshman Nick Williams. ACU would add one more score before the end of the third quarter as Malone found Knox for a fourth time on the night for a 29-yard score giving the Wildcats the 51-7 decision.

Angelo State freshmen quarterbacks Will Mezger and Michael Cochran combined for 68 yards on 7-of-29 passing with five interceptions. Thomas led the Rams with 86 yards on eight tackles while senior tailback Terrell Lee added 74 yards on 12 carries and junior tailback Kobey Lewis had 40 yards on 12 carries. Sophomore wide out Garrett Tidwell had a team-high two catches for 16 yards while junior wide out Robert Boone had a team-best 30 receiving yards.

Malone ended the night with 319 yards on 13-of-23 passing with five touchdowns. Knox set an ACU school record with 232 receiving yards and tied an Lone Star Conference mark with four touchdown receptions. Scott rushed for a season-low 117 yards on 22 carries with one score. The 117 rushing yards was lowest total for the 2007 Harlon Hill Trophy runner-up  in 10 games dating back to Oct. 20 when he rushed for just 88 yards against West Texas A&M.

The Rams fell to 3-2 in LSC play and 1-2 against LSC South competition. ACU improved to 5-0 in the LSC play and 2-0 in divisional play.

ASU will return home next Saturday, Oct. 18, as the Rams host Southeastern Oklahoma for Homecoming. Game time at San Angelo Stadium is 6 p.m.