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SAN ANTONIO – A week after allowing a 10-point lead to escape them in a loss, the Angelo State Rams used interceptions by Travis McCloud and Nekechie Miller and two Tristan Carter rushing touchdowns in the second half to secure a 34-14 Lone Star Conference win over Incarnate Word on Saturday at Benson Stadium.

“They both made great plays to get the interceptions and stop Incarnate Word's momentum,” ASU head coach Will Wagner said. “We had to be able to get the ball away from them and not let them get back into the game. Those two guys stepped up when we needed it the most. We couldn't let this one get away from us.”

Angelo State (5-5, 2-5 LSC) gained 435 yards of total offense, while holding the Cardinals (2-7, 2-4 LSC) to 233 yards. Carter led the Rams with 118 yards of rushing (his fourth 100-plus game of the season) and scored on runs of 25 and 17 yards. His final touchdown completed a 16-play, 97-yard drive that took up eight minutes and 40 seconds and sealed the game.

“It was great to see our offense be able to do that,” Wagner said. “We were deep in our own territory and really weren't even thinking touchdown. We wanted to get some time off the clock, so for them to be able to march it down and take that much time off was a great way to end the game.”

Angelo State quarterbacks Jake Strickler and Michael Cochran threw for 106 and 107 yards, respectively against the Cardinals. Strickler, who started the game, threw a 42-yard touchdown to Paul Mason on the Rams' opening drive and also ran for 21 yards on three carries. Cochran completed 10 passes and threw two interceptions.

Eric Massoni led Incarnate Word with 142 yards passing and also ran for 43 yards. Massoni connected with Andrew Mocio for a 5-yard touchdown in the third quarter, while Trent Rios ran for a 2-yard touchdown in the first quarter for UIW. McCloud's interception of Massoni came in the third quarter with the Rams leading 20-14 and the Cardinals driving.

“We knew we had to step up and get the ball back to our offense,” McCloud said. “We couldn't let them get anything going.”

The Angelo State defense has now created 11 turnovers in the last three games. Godwin Ubah led the Rams with eight tackles, while Jared Ross added seven. Alvin Johnson and Alex James each contributed four tackles and helped limit the Incarnate Word to 91 yards rushing.

Mason led Angelo State with three receptions for 50 yards, while C.J. Akins caught three passes for 48 yards. Blake Smith added 46 yards of offense on the ground and Braden Ritchey ran for 35 yards on his second successful fake punt of the season. Jarred Martin kicked two first-half field goals, making his first from 23 yards before drilling a 37-yarder in the second quarter to put ASU up 13-7.

The Rams host Tarleton State at 2 p.m. next Saturday at San Angelo Stadium in the season finale.

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