Penalties and Turnovers Cost Angelo State in Loss to West Texas A&M

SAN ANGELO, TX — Angelo State outgained West Texas A&M and held a 12-point lead early in the second half, but penalties and turnovers proved costly as the Rams fell to the Buffaloes 27-19 Saturday night at LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field.

The loss dropped Angelo State to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in Lone Star Conference play.

The Rams controlled much of the statistical battle, outgaining West Texas A&M 478-338 while holding advantages in first downs, 30-19, and time of possession, 36:09-23:51.

Special teams proved costly for Angelo State, which missed both of its field-goal attempts and converted one of two extra-point attempts.

Neither team reached the end zone until late in the second quarter. Zach Burton recorded two of Angelo State's first sacks of the season, while Eugene Liger led the Rams with eight tackles. Shamareon "Bobo" McKinnon and Jeff Isenhart each forced a West Texas A&M turnover.

Angelo State broke the scoreless tie late in the second quarter after two defensive penalties helped extend a Rams possession. Quarterback Ayden Arp completed all seven of his passes on a seven-play, 79-yard drive that lasted just over a minute.

Arp capped the drive with a touchdown pass to Donny Bishop, giving Angelo State a 6-0 lead after the ensuing extra-point attempt was unsuccessful.

The Rams extended their advantage on the opening possession of the second half. Jayden Jones broke off a 20-yard run before Arp connected with Bishop for a 24-yard completion to help set up a Cameron Dischler touchdown run.

Angelo State's two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the Rams ahead 12-0.

West Texas A&M responded on its next possession, with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty helping extend the drive before the Buffaloes cut into the deficit.

An Arp interception gave West Texas A&M another opportunity, and the Buffaloes capitalized with a 44-yard touchdown run to take a 14-12 lead.

Angelo State answered behind Dischler, who carried the ball six consecutive times for 64 yards as the Rams regained the lead, 19-14.

Dischler finished with a season-high 119 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He has five rushing touchdowns through the first three games of the season.

West Texas A&M answered again, with another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty extending a drive after an incomplete pass on third down. The Buffaloes scored their third touchdown to take a 20-19 lead after an unsuccessful two-point conversion attempt.

Angelo State then turned the ball over on downs after four plays, and West Texas A&M extended its advantage with a 43-yard touchdown run to make it 27-19.

The Rams had one final opportunity to rally after taking possession with about six minutes remaining.

Arp, Dischler and Jones helped move Angelo State from its own 21-yard line to the West Texas A&M 14. Facing fourth-and-1, the Rams were stopped short of the line to gain, ending their final scoring opportunity.

Arp completed 16 of 27 passes for 207 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The redshirt sophomore also rushed 18 times for 81 yards, accounting for 288 yards of total offense.

Angelo State will return to action next weekend with its longest road trip of the season, traveling to Monmouth, Oregon, to face Western Oregon.