EMPORIA, Kan. – Offensive struggles continued for the Angelo State football team as the Rams lost a tightly contested contest, 17-12, on the road at Emporia State on Saturday afternoon.
 
With the loss, the Rams move to 0-2 on the season and close out nonconference play.
 
The Rams held a 6-0 lead at the end of the first quarter after Bradley Larson converted two field goals from 26 and 27 yards out to give ASU the early lead.
 
ASU's defense held the Hornets scoreless until midway through the second quarter when ESU scored on a touchdown pass from two yards out.
 
The Rams took a 9-7 lead into the halftime break after Larson converted his third field goal of the half, this time from 34-yards out.
 
ASU out gained the Hornets overall, earning 368 offense yards compared to 282 yards. Both teams struggled on third down, combining for 2-of-34 on third down attempts.
 
The Rams held the Hornets to only 30 yards on the ground while collecting two interceptions by Eric Rascoe and Andrew Pitts.
 
In the third quarter, Bradley extended the lead to 12-7 with a 34-yard shot for his fourth field goal of the game,
 
The Hornets answered back with a 31-yard touchdown pass before adding a field goal in the final minute of the game.
 
ASU drove the ball to the opponent's 34-yard line in the closing seconds of the game, attempting two passes to the endzone but couldn't come up with the catch.
 
Kaeden Smith ran for 94 yards while Brayden Wilcox added 89 yards as the Rams tallied 239 yards on the ground.
 
Pitts was the leading tackler for the Rams with eight while Stephen Woods added five.
 
The Rams return to LeGrand Stadium at 1^st Community Credit Union Field next week as they open Lone Star Conference play against Eastern New Mexico on Saturday, Sept. 14.