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SAN ANGELO – Nate Poppell threw for a game-high 250 yards and two touchdowns, including a strike to Robert Armstrong with 1:44 left, to help No. 10 Texas A&M-Kingsville hold off Angelo State, 28-21, at San Angelo Stadium Saturday.

Poppell, who was sacked four times by the Rams (2-3, 2-3 LSC) and knocked out of the game temporarily, completed 16-of-26 passes and logged two late touchdowns through the air while rallying the Javelinas (5-1, 4-1 LSC) from a 21-14 deficit halfway through the third quarter. For the second time in three weeks Angelo State proved it could keep pace with a top-10 opponent, only to fall in the end. It was also the second consecutive week the Rams held an advantage in the second half and lost.

Poppell pushed the Javelinas to a quick start as the team sped 68 yards down the field in four plays after the opening kickoff. The junior quarterback from Spring, Texas, capped the drive with an 8-yard run.

It took more than 15 minutes for Angelo State to answer, but the Rams got on the board early in the second quarter on a one-yard dive by Tristan Carter. ASU added another score – a 20-yard touchdown catch by V'Keon Lacey from Josh Neiswander – with 1:59 left in the first half to take a 14-7 lead into the break. The Rams rushed for 61 yards in the game's first 30 minutes, the most by any team in an entire game against the Javelinas this season.

Angelo State appeared to have the momentum in the third quarter and were marching downfield after both teams opened the second half with three-and-outs. The Rams started a drive at their own 24 yard line and moved across the 50 but Texas A&M-Kingsville's Josh Luck ripped a completed pass from Lacey's arms and returned it 62 yards for a game-tying touchdown.

Both teams traded scores to close out the third, ASU's Dekarai Pecikonis returning the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a score, and Poppell hitting wide out Ryan Lincoln for an eight-yard score with 4:09 to go in the period.

In the fourth quarter, Angelo State attempted to break the stalemate with a 38-yard field goal, but for the third consecutive week the Rams had a kick blocked. Also for the third consecutive week, the blocked kick would result in points as the Javelinas went 79 yards in six plays with Poppell finding Armstrong for the deciding tally.

Both teams were held under 100 rushing yards for the contest – Angelo State with 90 and Texas A&M-Kingsville with 79. Angelo State's Pecikonis led all receivers with six catches and 104 yards. Neiswander, ASU's quarterback, completed 21-of-41 attempts for 238 yards and one touchdown. Angelo State defensive back Alvin Johnson picked off his fourth pass of the year and tallied six tackles. The Ram defense combined for 12 tackles-for-loss.

Poppell's top target was Sherman Batiste, who caught a team-best five passes for 33 yards. Armstrong finished the contest with four receptions for 100 yards and the score. Kingsville wide receiver Delashaun Dean had a 48 yard catch on the team's opening drive but was carted off the field with an injury and did not return. Connell Davis led all running backs with 70 yards on 24 carries.

Angelo State will face another top-10 opponent next weekend as the Rams travel to Midwestern State for an 8 p.m. contest. Texas A&M-Kingsville will host nationally-ranked West Texas A&M at home.

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