SAN ANGELO, Texas – The second-ranked Angelo State football had the season come to an end on Saturday in the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II National Championship, falling to Colorado School of Mines 42-24 at LeGrand Stadium at 1^st Community Credit Union Field.
 
With the loss, the Rams finish the season 12-1 overall after setting a new NCAA program record in wins in a single season.
 
Mines struck first in the contest, scoring on a nine-yard pass to take an early 7-0 advantage.
 
The Rams answered back as Zach Bronkhorst connected with Nate Omayebu III on a two-yard pass to tie the game with 4:20 to go in the first quarter.
 
Mines added two more touchdowns in the first half, throwing a 10-yard and a 28-yard touchdown pass before a 30-yard field goal for the Rams by Asa Fuller made it 21-10 at the break.
 
The Rams totaled 396 yards off offense in the game, including 323 yards through the air while the Orediggers finished with 322 yards of offense.
 
In the second half, ASU cut into the lead as Bronkhorst threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Noah Massey to make it a one-score game.
 
Bronkhorst finished with 323 yards passing on 28 completions along with three touchdowns. Zorhan Rideaux was the leading receiver for ASU, finishing with seven catches and 107 receiving yards.
 
Mines answered back once again as John Matocha took off on a 53-yard touchdown run to make it 28-17 with just over eight minutes to go in the third quarter. He finished with 102 yards on the ground and 162 passing.
 
Turnovers were the difference as Mines forced three against the Rams while not giving up any.
 
The Rams added one more touchdown as Bronkhorst found his third different receiver for a touchdown, connecting with Kyle Bradford from 31 yards out.
 
Leading the defense was Tre'Darius Colbert with eight tackles followed by Daron Allman with six.
 
ASU ends the season with a Lone Star Conference Championship while advancing to the quarterfinals for the second year in a row, a program first.