COMMERCE, Texas – Angelo State's Blair Smith intercepted Texas A&M-Commerce quarterback Harrison Stewart with 58 seconds left in the game to preserve a 25-20 Ram victory in Commerce on Saturday.

The Rams (3-6, 1-4 LSC) were leading 19-14 late in the fourth quarter until Texas A&M-Commerce (6-3, 2-3 LSC) scored on a Vernon Johnson touchdown reception   with 4:09 to play in the fourth quarter.

After the two teams traded three and outs, the Rams took over with 4:23 to go on the Lions 45 yard line. Kyle Washington, who threw for 143 yard and rushed for 116 yards, hit Joey Knight for 18 yards on a fourth and six to keep the drive alive.

Three plays later Jermie Calhoun ran around the right corner for his second touchdown of the day and a 25-20 cushion.

The Ram defense that held the Lion offense to 289 yards of total offense and sacked Stewart 10 times had to make one last stop.

Two incomplete passes and a rush up the middle brought up a fourth and seven. Stewart dropped back but was intercepted by Smith.

The Ram defense held a talented Lion offense to 289 yards of total offense including only 29 yards on the ground. The 10 sacks, three by Matthew Gholston and Rush Seaver, is the most by a Ram defense since 12 in 2000 against Texas A&M-Kingsville.  

Johnson scored all three of the Lions touchdowns and finished the day with 165 yards on eight catches.

Texas A&M-Commerce came out in the first quarter and hit a hitch to Johnson on the second play of the drive. Johnson made a move and streaked 54 yards down the sideline for a touchdown.

Washington led the Rams back out on the field after a punt by each team. The sophomore quarterback ran the ball for 22 yards and 18 yards to put the ball inside the Lion 20-yard line. It is the fourth time this season that Washington has rushed for 100 yards or more.
 
Blake Smith carried it 11 yards to the one before Calhoun punched in his first touchdown of the game to tie the game at seven.

The third Texas A&M-Commerce punt of the first half only travelled 25 yards in the wind and gave the Rams the ball at their own 47 yard line. ASU forced the Lions to punt the ball eight times in the game. 

Xavier Traylor caught a pass over the middle and held on after a big hit. Texas A&M-Commerce was flagged for targeting on the play and it put the ball at the Lions 18 yard line. Traylor finished the drive by catching a seven-yard touchdown pass from Washington to put ASU on top 13-7.

The Rams defensive takeaway streak continued with a recovered fumble by Seaver with 1:41 to go in the second quarter. The Ram offense took the good field position and would take a 19-7 lead on a Washington pass across the field to Alex Young for an 18-yard touchdown pass.

The Lions would close the gap with the Rams on a Stewart to Johnson 65-yard pass to cut the lead to 19-14 before taking the lead on Johnson's third touchdown reception.

It is the fifth game this season the Rams have played that has been decided by less than a touchdown.

The Rams outgained the Lions 337-289 overall and grinded out 194 yards on the ground. It is only the second time this season ASU has been held under 200 rushing yards as a team.

Gholston and Seaver not only led the team in sacks with three each but also in overall tackles with eight.