The Angelo State football team cruises to 27-12 win at home against Midwestern State
The Angelo State football team put Midwestern State to bed early in a 27-12 victory — shutting out the Mustangs' explosive offense for the first three-quarters of the game.
The Rams (6-3, 5-2) led the whole way and did not allow a Mustang score until the fourth quarter after leading 24-0. All three phases of the game showed up for Angelo State: Gerald Gardner carried the ASU offense throwing for 334 yards and a touchdown, the defense held the Mustangs' first-ranked rushing attack to its lowest total and the special teams unit returned a blocked punt for a touchdown.
How it happened
After a scoreless first quarter, kicker Bradley Larsen knocked a 23-yard kick through the goalpost for the first score. Later in the second, running back Kason Phillips caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Braeden Fuller. And to take a 17-0 lead into the half, the Rams returned a blocked punt for a touchdown.
The Rams scored again late in the third quarter when Gardner hit wide receiver Kel Williams for a 20-yard touchdown pass to go up 24-0.
The Mustangs scored twice in the fourth quarter, but it was too late as the Rams put the game out of reach and knelled out the clock after a late Mustang touchdown rush.
Saturdays Stars
Gardner completed 19 of 28 passes for 334 yards and a touchdown with an interception passing.
Wide receiver Kyle Bradford caught four passes for 155 yards.
Wide receiver Zorhan Rideaux caught six passes for 82 yards.
Phillips rushed six times for 24 yards and caught three passes for 35 yards and a touchdown.
Defensive back Andrew Pitts had seven tackles and two tackles for a loss.
They said it
Angelo State coach Jeff Girsch on how his team played: "It was kind of the opposite of last week. (Midwestern State) lined up to stop the run, so we threw the ball for almost 350 yards. They lined up defensively to make sure we didn't run the ball up and down the field, so they put eight guys in the box and our receivers went to work — and so did Gerald, I was proud of him."
Last Week: The Angelo State football team travels to West Texas A&M for last road game of the season
Preview
The Angelo State football team returns home for its last two home games, starting with a 6 p.m. Saturday matchup against Midwestern State University.
The Rams (5-3, 4-2) are fresh off a dominant 27-10 road victory over West Texas A&M. The Rams amassed 513 yards, with 396 of those yards on the ground. Running back Kason Phillips led the way for the Rams backfield collecting 115 yards on eight carries.
Angelo State's defense returned to form after a tough outing against UT Permian Basin and held the Buffs to 221 yards, including only 50 yards and two interceptions passing.
The Mustangs (4-4, 3-3) are in the midst of a two-game winning streak defeating Western Oregon 33-6 and Western New Mexico 56-7.
MSU allows 302 yards per game which is good for fourth best in the Lone Star Conference, but only gives up 19 points per game which is second. The Mustang offense is the second-best ground game in the conference averaging 224.3 yards led by Jalen March who is second in the LSC averaging 87.1 yards per game.
The ASU defense ranks first in points allowed per game at 18.6 and in yards allowed at 260.3. The offense is second in the conference averaging 399.4 yards and third in points at 32 per game.
The Mustangs hold the all-time series 16-9 over Angelo State, but the Rams won the last two out of three meetings including a 37-19 win on the road last season.
How to watch/listen to Angelo State
Listen to the game live on the radio at 101.9 KWFR or watch the game at lonestarconferenetwrok.com.
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Angelo State football: Rams cruise to 27-12 win over Midwestern State
