COMMERCE, Texas – The No. 16 Angelo State football team scored 14 points in the fourth quarter but was unable to complete the comeback losing to No. 15 Texas A&M-Commerce 38-35 Saturday night.
The Rams (4-2, 1-2 LSC) outgained the Lions (5-1, 4-0 LSC) 467-367 in total yards but had an interception and blocked punt returned for touchdowns. Texas A&M-Commerce forced three turnovers and held the ball for 35:54 minutes. ASU didn't allow an offensive touchdown in the second half and recorded four sacks and 12 tackles for loss. The Rams defense limited a TAMUC rushing offense that was averaging 268.0 yards per game to just 148 yards.
John Siliga led the defense with a career high 10 tackles. He added a sack and two tackles for loss. Jeremy Johnson and Jonathan Shannon made nine stops each and Clayton Clallicutt, Ryan Clapsaddle and Dominique McCoy each recorded seven tackles. Callicutt recovered a fumble for a touchdown. It was the third touchdown of his career.
Kyle Washington threw for 346 yards on 24-of-54 passing and threw three touchdowns and had two passes intercepted. He carried the ball eight times for 32 yards and scored once on the ground. Ryan Byrd rushed for 72 yards on 12 carries to lead the ASU ground attack. Donovan Thompson led all receivers with nine catches for 127 yards and a score. Mark Munson caught two passes for 66 yards and Brett Rasberry added five catches for 60 yards. Jeremiah Baines set a career high with three catches and 49 yards.
A two yard touchdown pass to Trevor Stafford from Washington with 7:40 left to play in the game cut Texas A&M-Commerce's lead to 38-28. It was Stafford's first touchdown of his career and the first points for ASU in the second half after being held scoreless in the third quarter.
The ASU defense, which forced six punts and a missed field goal, held TAMUC to a three and out on the next drive. The Rams went to work as Washington completed three straight passes to Pierson, Thompson and Rasberry. Facing a fourth down, Washington found Thompson for a first down. He returned to the sophomore on the next play and Thompson hauled in the pass to make it 38-35 with 5:17 left in the game. On the final drive Texas A&M-Commerce then picked up three first downs to ice the game.
The Lions had a 31-21 lead at the break and were held to just 51 yards in the second half. The only points of the second half for the Lions came by way of special teams. The Rams were forced to punt on the second drive of the second half. Sam Folwer's punt was blocked by Davarus Shores and picked up by Dionte Taylor and returned two yards for a touchdown and a 38-21 advantage.
The two teams combined for 52 first half points and 510 yard of combined total offense.
After a pair of three and outs, the Rams struck first. A steady dose of Washington and Byrd kept TAMUC off balance. Washington completed three passes and Byrd carried the ball five times for 36 yards to move the ball inside the TAMUC five yard line. Washington took the ball at the two and carried it in for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
The Loins answered quickly on the next drive. Harrison Stewart completed two passes including a 46 yard gain to Lance Evans to move to the ASU 11 yard line. Richard Cooper found a hole for an 11 yard touchdown run to tie the game.
The Lions forced a three and out of the Ram offense and the Lions took their first lead of the game. A six play 44 yard drive resulted in a one yard pass from Gabriel Rodriguez to Derrick Mason.
ASU was looking for a first down on the first drive of the second quarter. Washington was scrambling looking for a receiver but his pass was picked off by Demarion Morris at the ASU 26 and returned for a touchdown to make it 21-7.
The two teams traded punts and ASU had the ball at its own 42 yard line. The first play of the drive Munson was able to get behind the secondary and Washington found him for a 58 yard touchdown pass.
Texas A&M-Commerce would extend their lead after a seven play 75 yards drive. Stewart found Cooper for a 23 yard completion and Cooper scored from three yards out on the next play to make it 28-14.
After the Rams fourth punt of the first half, the defense made a play. On third and 15 at the TAMUC 15 yard line Stewart dropped back to pass. Matthew Gholston sacked Stewart and forced a fumble that rolled into the end zone. Callicutt fell on the ball to cut the lead to 28-21 with 3:02 left in the first half.
Texas A&M-Commerce added a field goal before the half ended. Kristov Martinez nailed an 18-yard field goal after a 10 play 72 yard drive to make the score 31-21 at halftime.
The Rams will return home to face Texas A&M-Kingsville for homecoming on next Saturday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field.
