Angelo State Rams Look to Respond at Emporia State

SAN ANGELO, TX — The Angelo State Rams are heading back to Kansas this week, and there’s a bigger sense of urgency to return home with a win this time.

ASU opened its season last week with a 21-7 loss at Fort Hays State, putting the Rams in a precarious spot heading into Saturday’s game at 1 p.m. against Emporia State.

The Rams have aspirations of returning to the playoffs after missing out last year, and an 0-2 start would put a serious dent in those hopes.

“Right now, the urgency has to be high,” ASU head coach Jeff Girsch said. “It’s not panic, but the urgency has to be high to execute and practice better.

“We still have all our goals in reach, to go out and win a conference championship and compete at a high level. But we have to play better and we have to get better every single week moving forward, and I think we’ll do that.”

ASU began last week’s game by allowing back-to-back 90-yard touchdown drives to fall into an early 14-0 hole.

It was completely uncharacteristic of a defense that ranked No. 8 in the country in yards allowed.

The Rams’ offense was perhaps expected to struggle some with a new quarterback at the helm. Sophomore Braeden Fuller and freshman Kaeden Smith each saw significant action, and freshman Tyler Hill was also in on a handful of snaps.

ASU was held to 203 yards of offense, and the Rams’ only TD came on a 28-yard run by Smith.

Fuller was 8-of-11 passing for 48 yards, while Smith was 9-of-13 for 75 yards, along with 45 yards rushing.

Girsch said the QB situation remains fluid moving forward.

“I think we’re still evaluating. Both guys are young players,” Girsch said. “We’re finding out between those two guys, and then we’ve got Tyler doing the things he can do for us. 

“But we’re finding out what those two guys are about when the bullets are flying, so to speak. And I don’t anticipate a big change in what we’re doing with it, because they both provide us with different types of skill sets to win games.”

Girsch said the defense needed to do a better job of finishing drives after allowing Fort Hays to convert 7 of 15 third downs.

However, he said cornerback Jatavian Neal and free safety Xavier Walton, who had a team-high 11 tackles and a forced fumble, each turned in outstanding performances.

ASU faces another challenge against Emporia State, which went 9-3 last season, including a 45-42 win over Fort Hays.

The Hornets beat Washburn 30-14 last week.

Quarterback Gunnar Gundy was 27-of-41 for 292 yards and three TDs. He completed passes to nine different receivers.

He also had 11 carries for 99 rushing yards, giving him 391 yards of total offense.

“They’re a good football team, and their quarterback does a good job just kind of getting the ball out quick,” Girsch said. “But if we can take away the first read he’s looking at and make him go through his progression a little bit, I think the pressure we can bring with our front four can cause them some problems.”

ASU will make its home opener next week at 6 p.m. Sept. 14 against Eastern New Mexico, which is also the start of LSC play.