KINGSVILLE, Texas – The Angelo State football team limited Texas A&M-Kingsville to just 262 total yards and just 76 rushing yards as ASU picked up its first Lone Star Conference victory with a 22-21 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday in Kingsville.
The Rams (2-3, 1-2 LSC) held the Javelinas (2-3, 0-3 LSC) to a season low 262 total yards and did not commit a turnover. ASU forced a turnover for the 10th straight game and it is the first time the Rams have won in Kingsville two consecutive times in program history.
Josh Stevens led the rushing attack with 85 yards on 22 carries while Carsen Cook added 21 yards on 19 carries and one touchdown. Cook threw for 131 yards in the air on 14-of-28 passing and one touchdown. Donovan Thompson caught five passes for 41 yards and Mark Munson caught his second touchdown pass. Willie Brown led the defense with 12 total tackles.
The Rams had built a 16-14 at halftime and maintained it until TAMUK's Myles Carr found Torrey Thomas on a two-yard pass. The Javelinas took a 21-16 lead with 8:34 to go in the fourth quarter.
ASU started the drive on its own 21-yard line and slowly marched down the field for 15 plays. The first play was a 10-yard completion to Munson. ASU would convert four third downs to keep the drive alive. Cook completed five passes including a 14-yard completion to put the ball at the TAMUK 24. Stevens gained 20 yards on the next three plays to move the ball to the 4-yard line. On third down, Stevens took a pitch from Cook but fumbled at the goal line. The ball was rolling around in the end zone until Rance Layton fell on the ball for the go-ahead touchdown with 3:28 to go in the game. The senior's first career touchdown put ASU up 22-21.
The Rams relied on its defense with 3:28 left to play. TAMUK earned one first down on a 11-yard pass to Anthony Autry. Facing a second down, Jesus Vargas was able to sack Carr to force a TAMUK timeout. On third down, Bright Ihegworo pulled Carr down and dislodged the ball. Justin Jackson picked up the ball and returned it nine yards. It is the 10th consecutive game the ASU defense has forced a turnover.
Needing to burn the clock, the Rams went to the ground game. Stevens gained six yards on third down that brought up a fourth and one. Needing a first down to ice the game, the ASU offensive line moved the line of scrimmage and Stevens followed for three yards and a first down.
Angelo State opened the game with a 14 play drive that covered 71 yards. Cook hit Stevens on a screen pass for 36 yards to move the ball inside TAMUK territory at the 27. The drive stalled at the 4-yard line but Casey Eyman was able to boot a 21-yard field goal for a 3-0 advantage. It is the first time the Rams have scored on the opening drive this season.
The Javelinas responded with a nine play 60-yard drive to take a 7-3 lead after a five yard rush from Nick Pelrean.
A quick three and out gave the ball back to TAMUK. Autry hauled in a 33-yard reception at the 1-yard line before Carr snuck it in for a 14-3 Javelina lead.
After allowing 100 yards on the first two TAMUK drives, the Ram defense held the Javelinas to 132 yards the rest of the way.
The Rams offense found its rhythm on their next drive. Stevens gained a total of 17 yards on back-to-back carries to open the drive. After a pair of Cook rushes, the redshirt freshman quarterback found Lawson Ayo for a 25-yard gain to move the ball to the TAMUK 1-yard line. Cook would sneak the ball in for the 1-yard touchdown and pull ASU to within 14-9.
ASU forced a TAMUK punt on the ensuing drive. TAMUK lined up for a punt but a bad snap sent the ball back to the TAMUK 26-yard line. The Rams capitalized to gain the lead. Cook dropped back on third and seven and found Munson in the back of the end zone for a 16-14 lead they would hold until TAMUK's touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
TAMUK's Carr threw for 186 yards on 16-of-29 with one passing touchdown. Autry led all receivers with 105 yards on six receptions while Pelrean gained 47 yards on 11 carries.
The rams will return to LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field for homecoming against Oklahoma Panhandle State on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m.
