SAN ANGELO, Texas – The 17^th-ranked Angelo State Rams dropped their home opener on Saturday, falling to 20^th-ranked Midwestern State to begin Lone Star Conference play.
 
The Rams move to 2-1 on the season while the Mustangs improve to 3-0.
 
For the second week in a row, the Rams fell behind early as Midwestern State struck first with a nine-yard pass to go up 7-0 with just under seven minutes to play in the first quarter.
 
ASU quickly tied the game, driving 75 yards on six plays before capping off the drive with a three-yard pass from Zach Bronkhorst to Cason Brown for his first touchdown reception of the season.
 
With under five minutes to go in the opening quarter, the Mustangs found the endzone again, this time connecting on a 28-yard touchdown pass.
 
The Rams cut into the lead to begin the second quarter, converting a 38-yard field goal by Asa Fuller to make it 14-10 in favor of the visitors.
 
With time running out in the first half, the Rams marched 58 yards before CJ Odom punched the ball into the endzone from two yards out to give the Rams a 17-14 advantage and their first lead of the game.
 
Nathaniel Omayebu III finished with a team-high 161 yards rushing while Odom tallied 75 yards on the ground and a score.
 
The Mustangs continued to find big plays through the air, regaining the lead after scoring on a 40-yard pass to go up 21-17 just under two minutes into the third quarter. Towards the end of the quarter, MSU extended the lead to 28-17, completing a 76-yard pass with 1:32 left in the third.
 
Kellen Pachot led the Rams in receiving with 88 yards followed by Austin Landry with 33 yards. Bronkhorst finished with nine attempts for 96 yards while Hagen Garvin threw 9-of-22 for 99 yards.
 
MSU started the fourth quarter the same way as the third, earning good field position before scoring on an eight-yard pass for the final score of the night. The Mustangs tallied five passing touchdowns on the night.
 
Angelo State edged out MSU in yards 459 to 445 while the Mustangs finished the game with 387 passing yards.
 
The Rams will return on the road next week as they travel to the West Coast for a nonconference matchup against Central Washington on Saturday, Sept. 25.