Final Box

GUNNISON, Colo. – Angelo State's Jeffrey Miller ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown against Western State College of Colorado and the Rams never looked back en route to a 35-12 victory on Saturday at Mountaineer Bowl.

The Rams (1-0) chalked up 439 yards of total offense, while limiting the Mountaineers (0-1) to 186 in the opening game of the season. ASU head coach Will Wagner was proud of what his team accomplished in his first game as head coach.

“We talked all week about being 1-0 after this game,” Wagner said. “Our guys were fired up and we accomplished that goal.”

Angelo State scored 21 unanswered points in the first 4:39 seconds of the game. After Miller's 90-yard kickoff return combined with Avery Rigg and Tristan Carter both rushing for 1-yard touchdowns, the Rams built a 21-0 advantage in the first quarter.

“It's something that I've been telling everyone that I was going to do, and I did it,” Miller said. “It gave us a spark. Running it back gave us momentum to get out to a 21-0 lead.”

Carter shined in the backfield for the Rams, scoring a pair of touchdowns, chalking up 113 yards on the ground and 21 yards on three receptions. Blake Smith rushed for 90 yards on 16 carries, while Samir Baker tacked on 51 yards on 10 runs.

Kyle Patterson led the Rams with six tackles, while Alvin Johnson finished with five. Lawrence Rumph had two sacks before leaving the game with an injury, while Rush Seaver recorded his first sack of the season and sent the Mountaineers back 10 yards on the play.

Western State scored its lone touchdown of the day in the first quarter when Curtis Prock completed a 4-yard pass to Miles Gorham to make it a 21-6 affair. After a Mountaineer field goal, ASU's Carter took things into his own hands, as he capped off an eight-play, 77-yard drive with an 18-yard scamper to put the Rams up, 28-12.

Angelo State's final score came from the right arm of starting quarterback Blake Hamblin, as he completed a 47-yard pass to James Hurd. It was a pair of firsts for the duo, as it was Hamblin's first career touchdown, and Hurd's first touchdown reception.Hurd finished the game with two catches for 52 yards.

“I was waiting on that pass the entire game,” Hamblin said. “I knew it was going to work. I was excited to get the first one out of the way and hopefully throw a lot more.”

Although Hamblin got the start, going 13-of-18 for 162 yards and a touchdown, three different quarterbacks saw action against the Mountaineers. Jake Strickler threw for 11 yards on two completions, while Gino Delucchi rushed for 20 yards on three carries. Nate Bayless led the team in receptions with three, while Donnell Harris and Mackenzie Hirt secured two passes.

Angelo State will be back in action for another road contest against Chadron State at 1 p.m. in Chadron, Neb. The Eagles lost 31-24 in their season opener against the University of Mary.




Coaches and Player Quotes

Head coach Will Wagner

On Jeffrey Miller's 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to start the season:
That was real exciting. It really got our team going. Jeffery Miller did a great job and our guys blocked their butts off. It's the best way to start off a game to have a big play like that.

On the Rams' offense against Western State:
I thought we did a good job running the ball when we needed to. We did struggle on short yardage.

On the Rams' defense and special teams not allowing Western State to have good field possession in the second half:
Any time they have to go the full length of the field to score your team has an advantage. They performed a lot better in the second half than in the first.

On getting a win in the season opener:
We talked all week about being 1-0 after this game. Our guys were fired up and we accomplished that goal. Now we have to move and work to accomplish the second one. It's not going to be easy. We have a long road trip and Chadron is a very good team.

On getting a win in his first game as the head coach at Angelo State:
It was great. I told the guys before the game that I wouldn't want to share it with anyone else besides them. We have a great group of guys. I'm excited to be here and be an Angelo State Ram. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the season.

Jeffrey Miller: Junior returner/wide receiver from Dallas

On his 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to start the game:
It's something that I've been telling everyone that I was going to do, and I did it,” Miller said. “It gave us a spark. Me running it back gave us momentum to get out to a 21-0 lead.

On his thoughts after the win:
It feels great. I'm real happy Coach Wagner and our team got a win in our first game.

Blake Hamblin: Sophomore quarterback from Rowlett

On Jeffrey Miller's 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown:
When you can start the game off with momentum like that, it's a good thing. It got the offense clicking and the defense excited.

On his 47-yard touchdown pass to James Hurd:
I was waiting on that pass the entire game. I knew it was going to work. I was excited to get the first one out of the way and hopefully throw a lot more.

On being a part of Coach Wagner's first win as a head coach:
He gave us a speech at the beginning of the game telling us how excited he was. It was our goal to give him his first win at Angelo State.

Godwin Ubah: Senior defensive lineman from Austin

On the Rams' defensive effort against Western State:
We did good swarming to the ball and communicating. Everyone was just out there playing hard. I think if you play like that every time you'll get a victory every time.

Mike Walton – ASU defensive coordinator

On the Rams' defensive effort:
It's never as good as it seems or as bad as it seems. Overall, our effort was good but our execution still has some areas left to be desired. They say you make your biggest improvements from Game 1 to Game 2 and we need that going up to Chadron State.

On the Rams' defensive line batting down Western State pass attempts:
They push the pocket and if they don't get there they are taught to get their hands up as the ball is being released. They did a good job with that today.

Tristan Carter – Senior running back from Tucker, Georgia

On the Rams' offensive production against Western State:
We are a team that likes to put up points. Every position can score. We expect to put up points. We are supposed to have more points than that, but it's all right. We'll work on things in practice for next week.

On Jeffrey Miller's kickoff return for a touchdown:
It set the tone for the whole game. To score 21 points in the first quarter is great.