BOX SCORE  //  SEASON STATS

ABILENE – Angelo State quarterback Blake Hamblin threw for a career high 446 yards and two touchdowns, but the No. 10-ranked Abilene Christian Wildcats forced two second-half interceptions and earned a 31-17 win over the Rams in the Big Country Concho Valley Shootout presented by State Farm Saturday at Shotwell Stadium.

Angelo State (3-1, 0-1 LSC) had season bests with 503 yards of total offense and 32 first downs, but also threw a season high two interceptions in the game. Abilene Christian (2-1, 1-0 LSC) had control of the ground game, as the Wildcats outrushed the Rams, 184-57. 

Depsite the loss, Hamblin had a record night in his own right. The sophomore from Rowlett set a school record in completions (39) and attempts (67) as he connected with 11 different receivers. He finished the night with 446 yards which is second all time behind Ned Cox's 475 yards in 1986.

“I feel good about the way our offense performed,” ASU head coach Will Wagner said. “We had too many
turnovers and we continued to shoot ourselves in the foot with them. We have to eliminate those if we want to have a chance. To compete against this defense and have over 500 yards has to be a confidence builder for us.”

Angelo State was not intimidated by its nationally ranked opponent, as the Rams put together an eight-play, 80-yard drive on the opening possession. The 3:50-drive was capped off by a 29-yard touchdown pass from Hamblin to Joey Knight. The game was later tied (7-7) after Daryl Richardson stumbled into the end zone on a 1-yard run with 5:28 left in the first quarter.

“It's one of our goals every week to put points up early in the game, and we were able to do that,” Hamblin said. “We had multiple drives inside their 20-yard line where we couldn't finish, so I'm sure that's going to be a focal point this week in practice. It wasn't fun losing, but we can learn a lot from this week and hopefully build on that in practice. We've consistently gotten better each week, and we need to continue that.”

Although the Rams regained the lead on a 23-yard field goal by Jarred Martin, it was short lived as Richardson scored his second touchdown of the half. The senior from Jacksonville, Fla., reeled off a 20-yard scamper to put ACU up, 14-10. The Wildcats would eventually tack on a field goal and take a 17-10 lead into the break.

Abilene Christian had the cruise control set on the opening drive of the second half, as quarterback Mitchell Gale escorted the Wildcats down the field for a touchdown. Now trailing 24-17, the Rams strung together a drive of their own; however a red-zone interception by Hamblin halted the threat. The Wildcats countered, stringing together a seven-play drive that resulted in a Ben Gibbs touchdown reception for ACU's final score.

Down 31-10 with 5:29 left, the Rams converted a fourth and five when Hamblin connected with tight end Nate Bayless for a 21-yard touchdown. Momentum stayed with Angelo State, as the Rams recovered the ensuing onside kick. Despite ASU inching inside the Wildcats 10-yard line, the Rams turned the ball over on downs. Abilene Christian ran out the rest of the clock and secured a 31-17 victory.  

Angelo State welcomes Eastern New Mexico to San Angelo Stadium Saturday, Oct. 1, for Family Day Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. for the Rams conference home opener, and kids wearing their youth football jerseys will have free admission.

“I hope there is the will to win and the desire to go out and get better,” Wagner said. “We are not where we need to be. We have a long way to go, so we hope they have a burning desire come Tuesday when we go out to the field to get ready for Eastern New Mexico.”





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