SILVER CITY, New Mexico – The Angelo State football team earned its first-ever win in Silver City, New Mexico, taking down Western New Mexico 52-0 Saturday afternoon.
The Rams (3-3, 2-2 LSC) earned their first shutout since taking down Bacone College 56-0 in 2015 and their first shutout in Lone Star Conference play since taking down Incarnate Word 7-0 in 2013.
"I'm really proud of our guys and how they performed for the entire game," Angelo State head football coach Will Wagner said. "Our goal was to start fast and keep the pedal down the entire game, and I think we did that. We're going to enjoy this win tonight and then turn our focus to West Texas A&M."
ASU jumped on top early, receiving the opening kickoff and scoring 14 first quarter points to seize the momentum in the game.
Payne Sullins started the game at quarterback for the first time all season, as the Rams used four different players at QB all day. After Sullins got the start, both Carsen Cook and Charlie Rotherham saw playing time before Zach Bronkhorst came in during the fourth quarter for his first collegiate playing time.
None of the four quarterbacks had much trouble against the Mustang defense, as Angelo State scored more than 50 points for the first time all season and recorded their highest point total since scoring 74 against UT Permian Basin in the regular season finale last year.
ASU scored once more before the half, and went into the locker room holding a 21-0 lead.
Western New Mexico got the ball to start the second half, but quickly gave it up as senior linebacker Grant Aschenbeck picked off his first pass of the season to give ASU the ball back.
The offense took advantage of the turnover, driving down field and scoring on a red-zone touchdown pass from Sullins to running back Tyrese Nathan, putting ASU up 28-0.
Angelo State's next touchdown came thanks to the defense, which had its best game all season. Senior defensive lineman Markus Jones, who increased his national lead with another two tackles for loss in the game, got to the quarterback yet again, forcing a fumble as he got the sack.
Redshirt freshman G'Karri McCoy scooped up the fumble and carried a few short yards into the end zone to put the Rams up 35-0, which was the score when the third quarter ended.
ASU tacked on two more touchdowns, including the first of Bronkhorst's career, and a field goal from Connor Flanigan in the fourth quarter, pushing to the final score 52-0.
The Rams will now return home for their next game, taking on West Texas A&M in their annual homecoming game at 4 p.m. Saturday at LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field.
