Rams Remain Perfect on Senior Night

SAN ANGELO, TX — The No. 2 Angelo State University Rams (9-0)(7-0) defeated the Central Washington Wildcats (5-3)(5-2) on Senior Night, Nov. 5, at 1st Community Credit Union Field at LeGrand Stadium in San Angelo 22-12.

This game was 2022's regular season home finale for the Rams, and tonight's win against Central Washington secured the Lone Star Conference Championship for the Rams.

The first half didn't go the Rams' way, however.

Central Washington got on the board first with 11:15 remaining in the 1st quarter. QB JJ Lemming hit Payton Glasser for a 76-yard touchdown. Central Washington missed the extra point, so the score remained 6-0. The Wildcats added to their total with a 24-yard field goal in the 2nd quarter and led 9-0.

In the first half, Angelo State's offense never got into a rhythm on offense. QB Zach Bronkhorst missed several throws, the running game failed to churn away at its usual pace, and a fumble in the 2nd quarter killed any momentum the Rams built. Angelo State’s best opportunity to score in the first half came after Kason Phillips caught a pass from Bronkhorst and carried the ball 42 yards to Central Washington’s 8-yard line. However, the Rams failed to punch the ball into the end zone and turned the ball over on downs at the 1-yard line. As a result, the Rams headed to the locker room at the half trailing 9-0.

The Rams’ offensive woes ended in the 2nd half. After the Wildcats punted the ball to the Rams, the offense got to work at Angelo State’s 45-yard line. Zach Bronkhorst pulled down the football and sprinted 28 yards down the field deep into the Wildcats’ territory. On the next play, Bronkhorst hit WR Kel Williams in stride for a 20-yard touchdown. The Rams finally got on the board with 7:08 remaining in the 3rd quarter but still trailed, 9-7.

Central added another field goal to their total with 2:17 to go in the 3rd quarter but never scored again. Down 12-7, the Rams got back to work and scored on their second straight possession. Bronkhorst found WR Zorhan Rideaux for a 66-yard touchdown to put the Rams up by one point. The Rams went for the 2-point conversion, and Rideaux also caught that pass. The Rams took the lead with 38 seconds left in the 3rd quarter and never trailed again. 

The Rams’ defense continued to dominate the Wildcats throughout the 4th quarter. Angelo State’s offense added another touchdown with less than two minutes to go in the game, a 2-yard pass from Bronkhorst to Matthew Carter, and the Rams won on Senior Night to move to 10-0, 22-12. 

Analysis

The Rams looked stagnant for an entire half on offense. Luckily they awoke in the 2nd half, but this lack of production does not bode well if their defense slips. The Rams have one of the best defenses in the nation, so they need to continue to lean on their defensive prowess. RB Nate Omayebu III eclipsed the 100-yard mark tonight on 25 carries for 104 yards and the 1000-yard mark for the season. QB Zach Bronkhorst went 11/25 for 228 yards and three touchdowns in the passing game. WR Zorhan Rideaux led the Rams in receiving with two catches for 69 yards and a touchdown. 

Daeon Hudson and Jahleel Breland led the Rams defensively with ten tackles a piece. Brett Accimus forced a fumble, and Dominic Wieburg recovered it. Micah Flowers also added an interception in the first half. 

The Angelo State Rams (10-0)(8-0) are your 2022 Lone Star Conference Champions with the win over Central Michigan tonight. They travel to Wichita Falls next week, Nov. 12, to take on the Midwestern State Mustangs (5-4)(4-3) at Memorial Stadium at 1 p.m.