Angelo State University Athletics

1978 NAIA Football National Championship

ASU concluded an undefeated year by knocking off the Elon College Christians (N.C.) in the NAIA Championship game.  It marked the ninth consecutive year that a Lone Star Conference team had won the title.  Mark Embry was named the game’s offensive MVP, throwing for 197 yards and two scores.  Alvin Garrett and Eldridge Beverly caught scoring passes, and Jerry Aldridge capped his brilliant career with 119 yards and two scores.  It marked the 17th consecutive game that Aldridge had rushed for at least 100 yards.

After dropping a 7-0 decision to Florida Southern, the Rambelles had a second chance at a national championship, and took advantage with a 7-3 victory to claim the crown in the “if” game.
In the final game, ASU jumped out strong, scoring efficiently in the top of the first.  Senior Alexis Wing reached on a walk, stole second and scored on an FSC error.  The Mocs would get a run in the bottom of the first, with leadoff hitter Krista Bradley reaching on a Rambelle error, and later scoring on a single. But the Mocs stranded two runners on board to leave it tied at the end of the stanza, 1-1.
The Rambelles started the second inning in style as Cat Moreno cranked a solo home run to deep center on the first pitch of the inning that bounced off the television truck more than 200 feet away.  After a pair singles by senior Andrea Payan and Wing, Hofmann, who was named Tournament MVP, increased the Rambelle lead to 5-1 with a three-run blast, her fourth home run over the World Series.
ASU opened up the fourth inning with a double by senior Jaime McGalliard.  Three batters later, Wing would score McGalliard with a ground out, giving the Rambelles a 6-1 cushion.  Hofmann, the next batter, would drive in freshman Arin Spence with a single up the middle to complete ASU’s scoring.
Florida Southern tacked on a run in the seventh inning, but senior pitcher Claudia Lopez ended the tournament with a ground out to bring the national championship to San Angelo.