SAN ANGELO, TX — The No. 4 Angelo State Rams Football team hosted the No. 2 Colorado School of Mines for the Rams’ home opener at Legrand Stadium on Saturday night, September 9. A defensive duel in the first half turned into an offensive showcase in the second as the Rams lost a late lead in the 4th quarter to fall 31-21.
Kason Phillips started off the scoring for Angelo State in the first quarter with a 33-yard grab from quarterback Gerald Gardner. The Rams’ defense locked up the Orediggers almost entirely during the first two quarters and allowed only three points. The Rams extended their lead again in the second quarter when Gardner hooked up with Kyle Bradford for a 35-yard touchdown to give the Rams a 14-3 lead at the half.
Angelo State against the Colorado School of Mines
(San Angelo LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
The School of Mines made some adjustments at halftime and finally kickstarted the offense in the third quarter. First, a 4-yard touchdown run lessened Angelo State’s lead to four early in the second half. The Orediggers took the lead early in the fourth quarter with another short touchdown run just outside the goal line.
Angelo State would answer midway through the fourth quarter. Gardner hit Zorhan Rideaux in the end zone on a 46-yard bomb to give the Rams a 21-17 advantage. The School of Mines answered back almost immediately with a long catch and run for 84 yards and another touchdown. With less than five minutes to play in the contest, the Rams had one final opportunity to take the lead down 24-21.
Gardner led the offense to midfield before the Orediggers bristled on defense. Two incompletions and a run for no gain left the Rams with a 4th and 10 at midfield. Gardner tried to hit a streaking receiver over the middle, but the ball was just a bit too high. The Rams turned the ball over on downs and, with it, their chances at victory.
Mines would add one more touchdown in garbage time and take the hard-fought contest 31-21. The Rams finish their non-conference schedule 1-1. Angelo State opens Lone Star Conference play next week when the Rams travel to play Central Washington on Saturday, September 16.
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