Final Stats

COMMERCE, Texas – Senior quarterback Jake Strickler threw for a career-high four touchdowns while the Angelo State defense held Texas A&M-Commerce to just 243 yards of total offense in the Rams' 45-14 Lone Star Conference win at Memorial Stadium Saturday.

In just his second start, Strickler completed 77 percent of his passes (17-of-22) for 209 yards and four touchdowns. The Middletown, Calif., native helped lead the Rams (4-4, 1-4 LSC) to 400 yards of total offense.

Defensively, the Rams recorded five sacks against Texas A&M-Commerce (0-7, 0-5 LSC), and limited the Lions to just five rushing yards for the game. ASU also forced a pair of turnovers with an interception by senior defensive back Jake Eannarelli and a fumble recovery by Kyle Patterson. 

“We had a great week of practice and we knew what we had to do,” ASU defensive end Shiloh Hickman said. “It was key to stay aggressive, and that's what we did.”

The first score for the Rams came on a 10-yard scamper by Tristan Carter in the first quarter. Carter eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the second straight game and the third time this season. The Tucker, Ga., native finished the day with 124 yards – five yards shy of his career-high 129-yard performance set last year against No. 9 West Texas A&M. 

“Our fast start was extremely important (Saturday),” ASU head coach Will Wagner said. “We thought if we got on them quick, they might get down on themselves, and that's what happened.”

The Rams took a 21-0 halftime lead after a pair of touchdown passes from Strickler. The senior quarterback found Joey Knight and Quinn Reels on a pair of crossing routes. This marked Knight's team-best fifth TD reception of the season, and was Reels first of the year.

“Our line was really physical, and we were running the ball great,” Reels said. “The O-line was aggressive all game and it rolled over to the rest of the team.”

The second half followed the same script as the first for the Rams, as Angelo State took the opening drive in for a score. The seven-play, 76-yard drive was capped off by a 4-yard reception by Carter.

The quick scores continued, but this time by punt-return specialist Paul Mason. After having one return called back in the first half due to a penalty, Mason danced his way 70 yards into the end zone to put Angelo State up 35-0 midway through the third quarter.

Commerce's first score came with 2:12 left in the third quarter to make it a 35-7 affair. Angelo State countered with a three-minute drive that resulted in a 9-yard touchdown pass to James Hurd.

After a Rams' field goal by Jarred Martin, the Lions marched down the field and scored with 0:06 remaining to make it a 45-14 game.

Angelo State returns to San Angelo for a Lone Star Conference match up against Texas A&M-Kingsville on Oct. 29, at 6 p.m. at San Angelo Stadium.