COMMERCE, Texas – The Angelo State football team came up short falling to No. 12 Texas A&M-Commerce 36-35 in the LSC Playoff Championship semifinals at Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Rams (6-4, 3-3 LSC) were down 36-35 with 5:22 to play in the game with the ball at their own 32 yard line. ASU drove down the field to the TAMUC (8-2, 6-0 LSC) two yard line and faced a fourth down and two. After a timeout, the Rams offense stepped to the line. Kyle Washington went around the left tackle and reached for the first down. The ball was spotted inches short and Texas A&M-Commerce was able to take over on downs and run the clock out.

Washington finished the game throwing for 227 yards on 20-of-32 passing with two touchdowns. He gained 154 yards on a career high 25 carries on the ground while adding two scores. Ryan Byrd carried the ball 20 times for 109 yards and scored one touchdown. It is the first time this season the Rams have had two ball carriers over 100 yards in the same game. Talon Smith led the receivers with five catches for 60 yards. Donovan Thompson added 58 yards and a touchdown while Brett Rasberry made three grabs for 41 yards and a score.

Clayton Callicutt set the ASU career sack mark with a .5 sack in the first half. The senior made three tackles and now has 31.5 for his career. Grant Aschenbeck led the defense with 10 tackles and Richard Franklin collected nine. Franklin also intercepted a pass for the second straight game.

The defenses dominated the first quarter as a missed field and interception was combined with two punts through the first quarter.

ASU was able to build a 21-10 at halftime with three touchdowns in the second quarter but Texas A&M-Commerce scored first. Harrison Stewart found Derrick Macon for a seven yard touchdown for the game's first score.

The Rams responded with an eight play 75 yard drive. Washington hit Thompson on a 43 yard strike for ASU's first touchdown and to tie the game at seven.

The scoring fest continued with the Lions regaining the lead. Kristov Martinez nailed a 35 yard field goal after a nine play drive.

ASU answered again on the next drive. The Rams grinded out a nine play 53 yards drive with two key penalties on the Lions.  The drive was capped off with a Byrd two yard run but the extra point was missed.

The ASU defense forced a TAMUC field goal but Chase Thrasher's 44 yard field goal was blocked by Jeremy Johnson. Seven plays later the Rams extended their lead with just 12 seconds left in the half. Washington found daylight and ran for a 29 yard touchdown and a 21-10 advantage.

Coming out of halftime, Ryan Byrd took the opening play of the second half 53 yards around the left end to the TAMUC 22 yard line. Six plays later Washington added his second rushing touchdown of the game on an eight yard rush to extend the lead to 28-10.

The Lions answered in a big way. Richard Cooper caught the ensuing kickoff and returned it 88 yards to cut the deficit 28-17.

After three punts, the Lions cut the lead to 28-23 as Stewart found Darby Smith on a 36 yard strike. Washington led the offense down the field in just a 1:49 on the next drive. The senior quarterback found Byrd for a 10 yard completion and followed it up with a 26 yard pass to Rasberry. Three plays later, Washington found Rasberry again for a 10 yards touchdown pass and a 35-23 advantage.

ASU had a chance to add to its lead after Franklin intercepted Harrison Stewart on the second play of the drive but the Rams went three and out on offense. TAMUC trimmed the lead again as Stewart hit Lance Evans for 20 and 21 yards before Macon caught a pass form Gabriel Rodriguez at the end of the third quarter.

Texas A&M-Commerce started its first drive of the fourth quarter down 35-30 at its own five yard line. The Ram defense was stout forcing a punt. TAMUC tried a fake punt but the pass Thraser, the punter, was incomplete and ASU took over at  the TAMUC 12 yard line. The Rams was hit with a holding penalty that slowed the drive and Sam Fowler lined up for a 28 yard field goal. The kick was blocked and the Lions took over at their own 20.

Seven plays later, Texas A&M-Commerce took a lead it wouldn't give back. Stewart found Evans for a 25 yard touchdown with 7:21 to go in the game.  

The Rams will face the loser of the Midwestern State and Eastern New Mexico on the road next Saturday, Nov. 14 at a time to be determined.