Despite a late charge, the Angelo State football team was handed its firs t loss of the season Saturday as the Rams fell at Texas State, 48-28, in front of more than 14,000 fans in San Marcos. The Rams fell to 1-1 while Texas State, ranked No. 21 in NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision, improved to 1-0.
There was no shortage of excitement in the early going. Texas State took the opening possession down the field but the Ram defense tightened up and forced a fourth-and-goal for the Bobcats from the two yard line. Texas State was able to capitalize, however, with a touchdown toss from Bradley George to Da'Marcus Griggs with 10:19 left in the first quarter.
The ASU special teams that gave the Rams some excitement of their own as Garrett Tidwell received the ensuing kickoff and scampered 96 yards down the left sideline to knot the game, 7-7, just 13 seconds later. It was the first kickoff return for a score by ASU since the 2005 season opener when Kyle Fox returned a kickoff 100 yards in a win over Western State.
One play later, the Rams defense stepped up as Alvin Johnson picked off a George pass at the ASU 39-yard line. However, ASU could not take advantage of the turnover and was forced to punt. The Bobcats would then march 80 yards on seven plays to take back the lead on a 10-yard reverse by HoweCedric Alexander to give Texas State back the lead, 14-7, with 4:24 left in the first period.
The Bobcats would add on another touchdown before the end of the first quarter as Trey Hampton plunged in from one yard out, capping an efficient four-play, 75-yard drive for Texas State.
Scoring would slow in the second quarter as neither team could sustain a drive. The Rams punted the ball three times in the quarter and ASU picked up a second interception, this time by Markeith Jones. It was Jones' second pick of the season, also collecting an interception in last week's win over Texas A&M-Commerce.
Texas State would score once more before the end of the half as George connected with Alexander on a 48-yard touchdown strike, giving the Bobcats a 27-7 advantage after the missed extra point.
The Rams had one more scoring opportunity before the end of the half, but Texas State's Adrian Parker blocked a 36-yard field goal attempt by Ryan Smith with 24 seconds left before intermission.
The second half would start promising for the Rams as they seemingly marched down the field with ease on the opening possession of the half. But, an interception thrown by Ram quarterback Josh Neiswander on fourth-and-two as he tried to force the ball into coverage halted ASU. The Ram defense would then force a punt by the Bobcats on their next possession, but ASU would again be turned away after a fumble by V'Keon Lacey after a long pass from Neiswander.
The Bobcats get their first score of the second half with 4:49 left in the third quarter on a six-yard run by Frank Reddic, giving Texas State a 34-7 lead after the extra point.
The Rams got their first score from the offense with 50 seconds left in the third quarter with a two-yard run up the middle by Dwight Pete. The dive on fourth-and-goal capped a 10 play, 75-yard drive. The Rams trailed 34-14 going into the final quarter.
With 10:30 left in the game, the Rams would get within two scores as Neiswander connected with Lacey from four yards out to cap a nine-play, 80-yard drive, cutting the deficit to 34-21. However, Texas State would return would return the ensuing on-side attempt by the Rams 38 yards for a touchdown to regain a 20-point lead, 41-21, seven seconds later.
That would not slow down the ASU offense. Neiswander and his offense would respond with six-play, 68-yard drive that lasted last than two minutes ending with a 14-yard pass to Bradan Ritchey, to once again get the Rams within two scores. The touchdown was Ritchey's first of the sophomore's career.
The Ram defense then forced a punt attempt by the Bobcats with just under seven minutes, but a fake attempt turned into a 22-yard run by Bobcat punter Ben Follis. Texas State would tack on one final touchdown as George would connect with Kyle Anderson for a two-yard pass.
Neiswander would end the night with 281 yards on 21-of-37 passing with two touchdowns and one interception. He connected with Lacey nine times for 150 yards, tied for the 20th best receiving performance in ASU history. Lacey's nine catches were two shy of the school record of 11 set on four previous occasions.
Excelle Osborne would pull down four catches for 59 yards while John Norcott had two catches for 18 yards. Dwight Pete led the Rams with 13 carries for 61 yards and a score while Michael Simpers had 26 yards on 12 carries.
Tidwell would end the night with five kickoff returns for 182 yards, averaging more than 30 yards per return. He would also have one punt return for 23 yards.
Linebacker Edward Cantrell led the Rams with 10 tackles, five solo, while safety Logan Bryan and linebacker D'Angelo Waites each added seven tackles. The Rams allowed just 93 rushing yards by Texas State and collected two more sacks.
Texas State's George ended the night with 328 yards on 18-of-27 passing with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Griggs was George's favorite target with five catches for 64 yards and a score while Dillard had three catches for 50 yards.
The Rams return home next weekend for the official start of Lone Star Conference play when they host Southwestern Oklahoma. Game time is 6 p.m. at San Angelo Stadium.
