SAN ANGELO, Texas – The Angelo State University football team found success in all three phases at different points Saturday night, but costly penalties and turnovers in the second half proved decisive as the Rams fell to West Texas A&M, 27-19, at LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field.
With the loss, the Rams fall to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in Lone Star Conference play.
Angelo State controlled much of the statistical battle, holding advantages in total yards, 478-338, first downs, 30-19, and time of possession, 36:09-23:51.
Special teams proved to be a major difference, however, as the Rams missed both field-goal attempts and converted just one of two point-after attempts.
The first half featured a defensive battle, with neither team finding the end zone until the final drive of the opening 30 minutes.
Zach Burton highlighted the unit, picking up two of the Ram's first sacks of the season.
Eugene Liger led the team with eight tackles while Shamareon "Bobo" McKinnon and
Jeff Isenhart forced Buffalo turnovers.
Late in the second quarter, two defensive penalties helped extend a Rams offensive drive as
Ayden Arp completed all seven of his passes to guide the Rams 79 yards in seven plays in just over a minute.
Arp capped the drive by finding
Donny Bishop for a touchdown to put the Rams in front, 6-0. The ensuing point-after attempt was unsuccessful, sending Angelo State into halftime with the lead.
The Rams extended their advantage on the opening drive of the second half. After a 20-yard run from
Jayden Jones, Arp connected with Bishop for a 24-yard completion to set up
Cameron Dischler's touchdown run. The ensuing two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the Rams with a 12-0 lead.
West Texas A&M answered on its next possession, with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty helping the Buffs continue their drive and cut into the Angelo State lead.
An Arp interception then gave WT another opportunity, and the Buffs capitalized with a 44-yard touchdown run to take a 14-12 lead.
The Rams responded immediately behind the ground game. Dischler carried the ball six consecutive times for 64 yards, putting Angelo State back in front, 19-14.
Dischler finished with a season-high 119 rushing yards and two touchdowns, giving him five rushing touchdowns through three games.
WT regained the lead for good on its next scoring drive, with another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty extending the possession following an incomplete pass on third down. The Buffs found the end zone for a third time to take a 20-19 lead after their two-point conversion attempt failed.
After Angelo State turned the ball over on downs in just four plays, West Texas A&M added to its lead with a 43-yard run, making it a 27-19 game.
Similar to the team's previous matchup against Western Colorado, the Rams once again found themselves with an opportunity to mount a late comeback, taking over with approximately six minutes remaining. Angelo State leaned on its rushing attack to move down the field.
A combination of Arp, Dischler and Jones moved the Rams from their own 21-yard line to a fourth-and-1 at the WT 14. The Buffs stopped the Rams short of the line to gain, ending Angelo State's final scoring opportunity and securing the victory.
Arp continued his development through the air, completing 16 of 27 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown. The redshirt sophomore also rushed for 81 yards on 18 carries, accounting for 288 total yards.
The Rams return to action next weekend when they make their longest road trip of the 2026 season, traveling to Monmouth, Oregon, to face Western Oregon.
