SAN ANGELO – The Angelo State football team had a three-game winning streak against West Texas A&M snapped Saturday afternoon as they lost 26-18 at LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field.
The Rams (3-4, 2-3 LSC) outgained the Buffs with 365 yards to just 297, but were unable to capitalize on their drives, scoring just one offensive touchdown in the game.
ASU's day started about as well as they could have asked, as quarterback Payne Sullins, making just his second start for the Rams, found Lawson Ayo for a 28 yards catch on the opening drive and then followed it with a screen play to running back Tyrese Nathan, who scampered 20 more yards into the end zone for an early 7-0 ASU lead.
The reception was the first of many on the day for Nathan, as he ended the game leading the team in receptions and receiving yards as well as rushing yards. His seven catches marked a career-high, and the Lubbock native also averaged 5.3 yards per carry for 96 total on the night.
Angelo State's defense went to work after the opening score and did so successfully, stopping every Buff drive in the opening quarter. The ASU offense could not get more going, however, and the two teams traded punts in the quarter.
The Ram defense held strong and did not give much of anything other than one field goal through the entire first half, forcing five WT punts.
Senior linebacker Grant Aschenbeck led the defense once again with 11 tackles, including one sack and 2.5 tackles for loss. Leddy French also finished the game in the double-digits in tackles with 10, while Donavyn Jackson, Hunter Kyle and Bright Ihegworo all had nine apiece. Ihegworo also finished the game with 2.5 tackles for loss.
Coming out of the locker room after halftime with the lead, the defense forced yet another punt, getting the ball back to their offense. The Rams got a first down, but then sputtered to punt again. WT finally got on the board then, blocking the punt and recovering it in the end zone.
Angelo State responded on the ensuing drive, getting a 44-yard field goal to tie the game once again. The field goal was Flanigan's LSC-leading 10th of the year.
At that point, the Buffs took over the game, outscoring the Rams 16-8 the rest of the way. They scored on their ensuing offensive drive, punching it in from one yard out and then got two more points before the end of the quarter on a safety.
West Texas A&M scored one final time to open the fourth quarter on their only passing touchdown of the night.
ASU showed a little life after the WT touchdown, as Larry Johnson had his second return touchdown of the season and went 94 yards to the house. The Rams converted on the two-point conversion after the return to pull within eight, but it would be their final score of the night. ]
Angelo State will go back on the road next without traveling far, facing UT Permian Basin at 6 p.m. Saturday in Odessa.
