Without Starting QB, No. 8 Angelo State Rams Hold Off Eastern New Mexico

PORTALES, N.M. – The No. 8-ranked Angelo State football team opened Lone Star Conference play with a 31-20 road win over Eastern New Mexico on a windy Saturday night at Al Whitehead Field at Steve Loy Family Foundation Stadium.

With the victory, the Rams extended their LSC winning streak to 13 games and improved to 3-0 overall.

The Rams — playing without starting quarterback Braeden Fuller, who was injured last week with a calf strain — jumped ahead early as a 34-yard run on fourth down by backup QB Kaeden Smith set up a 2-yard touchdown carry by Chad Pharies.

The Greyhounds capitalized on an ASU fumble to tie the game, but Zeek Freeman quickly answered, returning the ensuing kickoff 88 yards to give the Rams the lead back just 13 seconds later.

ASU kept the momentum rolling with a surprise onside kick by Rance Purser, which the Rams recovered. The drive ended in a 36-yard field goal to push the lead to 17-7.

Following a weather delay that lasted two hours and 27 minutes, the Rams forced their second turnover of the game, leading to a 13-yard TD run by Pharies — his second score of the night for a 24-7 advantage.

Eastern New Mexico trimmed the deficit to 10, but Smith orchestrated a drive capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Cameron Dischler to make it 31-14 in the fourth quarter.

The Greyhounds added a late touchdown, but a game-sealing interception by Xavier Walton extended the Rams' streak of games with an interception to 18.

ASU returns home at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, to host Western New Mexico at LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field.