No. 19 Angelo State Back on Track After Win Over E. New Mexico

Despite the fact that Eastern New Mexico was a rush-first, triple-option offense, the Rams outgained the Greyhounds on the ground last Saturday. The Rams had 321 yards of total offense with 207 on the ground to Eastern New Mexico’s 262 total yards and 191 yards on the ground. Girsch complimented his running backs and offensive line at the press conference.

“We have a lot of people to hand the ball to. That’s one good thing.” Girsch said. “If you go back and look at the film, we really blocked the fronts up well to run the football. Our o-line did an outstanding job, tight ends and everybody included.”

Although the Rams trailed 14-10 at the half, ASU stayed mentally tough and completely shut down the Greyhounds in the second half. Angelo State claimed the lead late in the 3rd quarter on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Gerald Gardner to Kel Williams. The Rams would never trail again.

After Angelo State surrendered the first two touchdowns, it’s almost like the defense woke up because the Rams were a completely different team in the second half. Girsch said that the triple-option is incredibly difficult to defend, and it seemed like the Rams needed time to adjust.

“Nobody [on the Rams] has faced [the triple-option],” Girsch explained. “So, it takes some time to get caught up to the speed of it. You can simulate it in practice with the scout team, but it’s not the same.”

Eastern New Mexico marched the football 75 yards down the field on the Greyhounds' opening drive to take an early lead. After another score, the Rams finally locked up. 

“For the most part, our guys did a great job, and again, we did not switch up anything defensively in the second half,” Girsch said. “We just went out and played our game and were more sound in our responsibilities and got after them.”

After adding a final touchdown in the 4th quarter, the Rams’ defense put the Greyhounds away, 23-14. Angelo State enters a much-needed bye week this week for some recuperation and consolidation before they play another Lone Star Conference matchup on October 14 against Texas A&M Kingsville at Kingsville.