SILVER CITY, N.M. – The third-ranked Rams picked up another Lone Star conference road victory on Saturday afternoon, defeating Western New Mexico 52-13 at Ben Altamirano Field.
The Rams improve to 7-0 on the season and 5-0 in conference play while the Mustangs drop to 3-4 on the year.
ASU collected 521 yards of total offense, rushing for 294 yards overall. Defensively, the Rams held WMNU to only 118 yards offensively, including negative 11 yards running the ball.
ASU got on the board first, driving down the field before
Asa Fuller converted a field goal attempt for 21-yards.
After a muffed punt by the Rams, the Mustangs capitalized with an 18-yard touchdown pass to take a brief lead 6-3 after missing the extra point.
After that it was all ASU as
Zach Bronkhorst tallied a touchdown pass of his own, finding
Noah Massey from 13-yards out to regain the lead.
In the second quarter,
Kason Philips cut back a run for 17-yards and a score as the Rams went up 17-6. Philips finished with 71 yards on the day while averaging 7.1 yards a touch.
In the next drive for ASU, the Rams drove 85 yards on eight plays before handing off to
Tre'Darius Colbert who rushed up the middle from two yards out.
Moments later, WNMU had a miscue on a pitch play setting up a 42-yard scoop and score by
Onyei Orupabo to give ASU a commanding 31-6 advantage.
A long punt return by the Mustangs brought them to the two-yard line of ASU but an interception at
Andrew Pitts would keep WNMU with only six points. Pitts now has five interceptions on the season after his fourth in five games.
In the final drive of the first half, the Rams moved the ball 88 yards before Bronkhorst found his second touchdown pass of the game, connecting with
Cason Brown with six seconds to go as the Rams took a 38-6 lead into the break.
Nate Omayebu III was the leading rusher for the Rams with 155 yards on the day, averaging 7.4 yards a carry.
In the first possession of the second half for ASU, the Rams moved the ball 65 yards before capping the drive off with a 16-yard touchdown pass to
Rasheen Green who pulled in the one-handed catch to extend the lead.
Bronkhorst finished with 200 yards passing on the day, throwing three touchdown passes while completing 14-of-21 attempts.
The Mustangs eventually found the endzone again, scoring on a 26-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 45-13.
ASU added one more touchdown late in the fourth quarter as Hagan Gavin tossed a 27-yard pass to
Thomas Aych for the score.
The Rams will return home next weekend as they face Texas A&M - Kingsville on Saturday, Oct. 22 on Homecoming night.
