ASU Rams Complete the Perfect Season in Win Against Midwestern State

WICHITA FALLS, TX — The No. 2 Angelo State University Rams (10-0)(8-0) traveled to Wichita Falls to play their regular-season finale against the Midwestern State Mustangs (6-4)(5-3) at Memorial Stadium at 1 p.m. The Rams dominated the Mustangs in all facets of the game and finished their regular season perfect at 11-0 with the victory over the Mustangs, 37-19.

The Rams got on the board early in the 1st quarter following a Mustang punt. QB Zach Bronkhorst found RB Kayson Phillips over the middle for 13 yards and a touchdown. The Mustangs answered the score with a made field goal. After the Mustangs stalled at ASU’s 6-yard line, MSU K Ritse Vaes made a 23-yard field goal. With 5:18 remaining in the 1st quarter, the Rams led 7-3.

Angelo State’s runningback duo ground out tough yards on the Rams’ ensuing possession. Kason Phillips and Nate Omayebu III combined for 28 yards as the Rams inched closer to the endzone. WR Rasheen Green had two catches for 37 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown pass from Bronkhorst. With 0:47 left in the 1st quarter, Angelo State extended the lead to 14-3.

Angelo State and Midwestern State traded field goals in the 2nd quarter, but that is all. First, Midwestern State’s Vaes nailed a 30-yard field goal after the Rams’ defense stonewalled the Mustangs near the goal line. Then, Angelo State’s K Asa Fuller made a 38-yard field goal following a punt from the Mustangs. Midwestern State forced a fumble on the previous possession but went 3-and-out. With the added field goal, the Rams went into halftime up, 17-6.

Angelo State opened up the floodgates in the 2nd half. Kason Phillips scored a 33-yard touchdown up the middle with 12:02 left in the 3rd quarter. Then Eric Rascoe picked off MSU’s quarterback Neiko Hollings and returned the pick for a touchdown. The Rams led 31-6 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

Midwestern State managed to score two touchdowns in the 4th quarter, but at that point, the Rams had the game well in hand. Angelo State added one more touchdown to their total before the final buzzer sounded. Nate Omayebu III completed a 33-yard pass on a trick play to Cason Brown for another Rams touchdown.

The Lone Star Conference Champion Angelo State Rams (11-0)(9-0) finished the season ranked No. 2 in the nation and will find out where their playoff journey begins on Sunday, Nov.13, at the NCAA Division II Football Championship selection show. 

Statistics

Offense

• Zach Bronkhorst led the Rams’ passing attack, going 18/25 173 yards and two touchdowns. 
• Kayson Phillips led the Rams on the ground with 81 rushing yards on 10 attempts and one touchdown. 
• Noah Massey led the Rams with four catches for 40 yards

Defense

• Jordan McKinney led Angelo State’s defense with 10 total tackles, eight solo tackles, and a tackle-for-loss.
• Eric Rascoe, DeShaun Douglas, and Onyei Orupabo each had an interception. Rascoe returned his interception for a touchdown.
• Josh Booker-Brown, Walker Bauer,  O’Shea Jackson, and Tre’Darius Colbert all had one sack each in the game.