MONMOUTH, Ore. –
Ayden Arp threw for 280 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winning two-point conversion in overtime, as the Angelo State University football team rallied for a 29-28 upset of No. 17 Western Oregon on Saturday afternoon at McArthur Field.
With the victory, the Rams improve to 1-3 overall and 1-1 in Lone Star Conference play, while the Wolves fall to 2-2 overall and 0-2 in conference action.
Western Oregon struck first on its second drive of the game, finding the end zone on a 40-yard touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead after the opening quarter.
The Rams answered on their first possession of the second quarter, putting together an 11-play drive that culminated in a five-yard touchdown pass from Arp to
Alex Wyatt to even the score at 7-7.
Angelo State carried that momentum into the second half. After taking possession to begin the third quarter, the Rams needed just three plays to find the end zone. Arp connected with
Alan Dobbins for a 33-yard gain before finding
Kegan Stelmazewski for a 31-yard touchdown to put the Blue and Gold in front, 14-7.
The Wolves responded three drives later, capitalizing on a short field following Arp's lone interception to tie the game at 14-14. Western Oregon then reclaimed the lead on its ensuing possession, taking a 21-14 advantage into the fourth quarter.
The Rams answered early in the final frame, with Arp finding Dobbins for a six-yard touchdown to tie the game at 21-21.
Western Oregon had an opportunity to win the game late in regulation, putting together a drive that lasted more than five and a half minutes before setting up a 30-yard field-goal attempt. The attempt missed, sending the game to overtime.
The Wolves took the first possession of overtime and needed just four plays to reach the end zone, taking a 28-21 lead following the successful point-after attempt.
Arp opened the Rams' possession by finding Stelmazewski for a seven-yard gain before connecting with Dobbins for a 12-yard touchdown to pull Angelo State within one.
Rather than kick the extra point and extend the game, the Rams elected to go for the win.
Arp took the shotgun snap, rolled to his right and found
Trevor Winn in the back of the end zone for the successful two-point conversion, securing the 29-28 victory and sending the Blue and Gold home with the upset.
Arp finished the afternoon completing 28 of his 44 passes for 280 passing yards and four touchdowns.
Dobbins and
Donny Bishop each notched six receptions while Stelmazewski and
Carter Woehl each nabbed four catches.
Cameron Dischler was the team's leading rusher, earning 69 yards while
Ashton Dickens followed with 46 of his own.
The Rams defense notched eight pass breakups while Matthew Onyejiaka led with seven tackles followed closely by
Hunter Boudreaux and
KJ Penson recorded six tackles each.
The Rams return home for a two-game homestand beginning Saturday, Oct. 3, when Angelo State hosts Central Washington for Family Day. Kickoff at LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field is scheduled for 6 p.m.
