Final Stats (.pdf)

CHADRON, Neb. – The Angelo State Rams scored 28-unanswered points in the fourth quarter to erase a 21-point deficit in a 49-42 win over Chadron State on Saturday at Don Beebe Stadium.

Trailing 42-21 with 14:54 left in the game, the Rams (2-0) began their fourth-quarter comeback. Senior captain D.J. Clough took the Rams' first step, as the linebacker stripped the Eagles (0-2) running back Alex Rodriguez and ran it back for a touchdown. Clough's score made it a 42-28 game with 11:36 remaining.

“We were just trying to make a play and give the ball back to our offense,” Clough said. “We had to get a stop; I just had the opportunity and took care of it.”

Angelo State quarterback Blake Hamblin led the Rams the rest of the way, as the sophomore threw for 176 yards and three scores in the fourth quarter. The Rowlett native finished the game 24-for-37 with 271 yards and four touchdowns, all career-highs.

“We grew as a team today,” Hamblin said. “We always talk about the Ram family and how close of a team we need to have. We showed that we are a family that isn't going to give up on each other.”

Angelo State finished with 388 yards of total offense against the Eagles. Tristan Carter led the rushing attack with 69 yards on the ground while Hamblin added 44 yards rushing on five carries.

“Blake is getting better and better every week,” ASU head coach Will Wagner said. “He started out kind of shaky not setting his feet, but he just really shined in the fourth quarter. He spread the ball around and made plays for our team. Blake took ownership of this team in the fourth quarter and did a great job.”

After back-to-back touchdowns to Nate Bayless and Antwon Williams, ASU tied the game, 42-42, with 4:34 seconds left in the game.

The Rams defense, which scored two touchdowns on fumble returns by Clough and Joseph Schumpert in the game, then forced a three-and-out and put the ball back in the right arm of Hamblin with 2:12 left in the game. Pinned at their own six-yard line, Hamblin orchestrated an 11-play, 94-yard drive that was capped off by a 26-yard touchdown pass to junior wide out C.J. Akins.

Josh McClain led Chadron State with 315 yards passing and three touchdowns. McClain connected with Nathan Ross, Travis Reeves and Jeff Alcorn for his touchdown passes, while Michael Madkins ran in a touchdown for the Eagles.

Angelo State returns for their home-opener next Saturday, a 2 p.m. contest against the University of Central Oklahoma at San Angelo Stadium.










Coaches and Player Quotes

Head coach Will Wagner

On the Rams making the comeback to win at Chadron State:
“We were confident at the half that we had the ability to come back,” Wagner said. “We knew we would have a chance and I was proud of how our guys fought. There were times in that third quarter where we didn't look very good on our sidelines, but they kept believing and fighting.”

On the momentum swing on D.J. Clough's fumble return for a touchdown:
“There was some skepticism on our sidelines when he took it in for a touchdown,” Wagner said. “We took advantage of that momentum. His touchdown got the guys believing again and we came back and won the game.”

Blake Hamblin: Sophomore quarterback from Rowlett

On what the win does for his confidence:
“It gives me confidence going into next week,” Hamblin said. “We had a talk at halftime about us being down just 14 and how that was nothing.”

C.J. Akins: Junior wide receiver from Harker Heights

On the Rams ability to come from behind to win:
We work in practice and in the off season. We got off slow, but the end is what matters. We ended with a victory because we fought hard.