GUNNISON, Colo. – The Angelo State University football team had the ball with less than three minutes remaining Thursday night and a chance to complete the comeback, but three sacks over the final four plays ended the Rams' hopes as they fell to No. 11 Western Colorado, 23-21, at Mojo Field at Mountaineer Bowl at the Rady Family Sports Complex.
With the loss, the Rams fall to 0-2 for the first time since the 2024 season, when Angelo State responded by rattling off nine consecutive wins to claim the program's most recent Lone Star Conference title.
Despite the loss, the Rams showed improvement across the board, finishing with nearly 300 yards of total offense, committing just one turnover and converting 50% of their third-down opportunities.
Western Colorado opened the scoring on its first possession, marching down the field on an 11-play drive before settling for a 28-yard field goal.
The Rams responded with a touchdown on their ensuing possession. A 30-yard pass from
Ayden Arp to
Kegan Stelmazewski set up a 4-yard touchdown pass from Arp to
Donny Bishop, giving the Rams their first and only lead of the game.
On the next drive, Arp connected with
Alan Dobbins down the right sideline, and the redshirt freshman did the rest, powering his way into the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown to extend the Rams' lead.
Arp showed significant improvement from the season opener, completing 19 of 27 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns. Dobbins led the Rams with eight receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown.
The Mountaineers responded with the next 20 points, converting two more field goals before halftime and scoring two touchdowns in the second half to take a 23-14 lead early in the fourth quarter.
After the Rams' defense snuffed out a Western Colorado fake punt, the Blue and Gold capitalized with a touchdown, as
Cameron Dischler powered his way into the end zone on a 3-yard run. The score marked his third rushing touchdown of the season and pulled the Rams within two points.
The Rams' defense then forced a punt to give the offense one final opportunity to take the lead. However, three sacks, including one on fourth down, ended the Rams' comeback bid and their hopes of securing a ranked road victory.
The Blue and Gold will now enter the bye week before returning to action Saturday, Sept. 19, when Angelo State welcomes West Texas A&M to LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field for the start of Lone Star Conference play.
