Angelo State Rams Come Up Short Against Emporia State

EMPORIA, KS — The Angelo State Rams will be happy to not return to the state of Kansas anytime soon.

For the second consecutive week, ASU is returning home from the state with a loss, this time in a frustrating 17-12 defeat against Emporia State.

The Rams produced 368 yards of offense, but they had only four field goals to show for it as one drive after another stalled out.

After Emporia took a 14-12 lead with 3:28 left in the third quarter, ASU had five drives in which it could have regained the lead, but the Rams simply couldn’t break through the Hornets’ defense.

Emporia extended the lead to 17-12 with 48 seconds remaining, and Braeden Fuller directed a last-ditch drive that reached the Hornets’ 34-yard line in the final seconds.

ASU had a couple shots at the end zone but couldn’t steal the win.

The Rams’ defense held Emporia to 282 yards and only 11 first downs. ASU forced two turnovers — interceptions by Andrew Pitts and Eric Rascoe — and the Rams didn’t commit a turnover.

ASU did most of its damage on the ground with 45 carries for 239 yards, led by quarterback Kaeden Smith with 94 yards and Brayden Wilcox with 87.

The Rams’ passing game, however, was a struggle as Smith and Fuller combined to complete only 13 of 43 passes for 129 yards.

ASU, which lost 21-7 to Fort Hays State last week, will try to find a way to jumpstart its offense back in Texas.

The Rams begin Lone Star Conference play on their home field at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept 14, against Eastern New Mexico at LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field.