Rams rain down on Javelinas in first home game

Photo by Ian Saint:
(No. 5) carries the ball for positive yards breaking multiple tackles. This drive leads to putting the Rams on the board and ultimately defeating the Javalinas.

The Rams secured a 30-14 victory over the Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas amidst the Saturday, Sept. 15 downpour.

“Even with the weather, we still had a decent crowd out there and our kids did really well,” Head Coach Will Wagner said.

Wagner said they had been preparing for it to rain during the game.

“We struggled in some areas but overall, the weather wasn’t a huge factor for us,” Wagner said.

The Rams had a rough start in the first quarter. The Javelinas blocked a punt on the Rams’ first drive and recovered the ball to score the first touchdown of the game.

On the next drive, the Rams advanced enough for junior Connor Flanigan, kicker, to score a 25-yard field goal.

ASU pulled ahead with a 36-yard touchdown run by sophomore Spencer Gilbert, running back. The field goal by Flanigan gave the Rams a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Javelinas once again took the lead with a 22-yard touchdown pass and successful PAT.

ASU responded with another drive that resulted in a touchdown for Gilbert.

Seconds before halftime, sophomore linebacker Donavyn Jackson intercepted the ball, making it his second interception of the season.

The Rams’ defense kept the Javelinas from scoring in the second half.

“Our kids want to be the best defense in the Lone Star so they put in the time and the work to do that,” Wagner said. “They are doing a great job.”

Junior Quarterback Payne Sullens threw a 27-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter that was received by junior wide receiver Lawson Ayo.

In the final quarter, Flanigan cemented the Rams’ 16-point margin of victory with a 27-yard field goal.

Overall, the Rams advanced the ball 322 yards with 117 passing yards and 205 rushing yards.

Sophomore wide receiver Keke Chism led the team with 49 yards between two catches.

Next Saturday, Sept. 22 ASU will take on Midwestern State in Wichita Falls.

The Rams will be back at the LeGrand Stadium on Sept. 29 to face Tarleton State for Family Day.