Flaco Guapo Media
Angelo Sports Department, Everett Corder, contributor
Story/ photos in collaboration with and permission from Conexión San Ángelo
SAN ANGELO – The Angelo State football team scored 59 points before ever giving one up, defeating Adams State 59-20 at LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field Saturday.
The Rams (5-4, 3-3 LSC) set season highs in points (59), rushing yards (270) and rushing touchdowns (4), while winning back-to-back games and getting above .500 for the first time all season.
Wide receiver Larry Johnson got the Rams on the board early, after they received the opening kickoff. After quarterback Payne Sullins rushed for one first down, he found Johnson over the middle for a 64-yard touchdown pass just over a minute into the game.
The ASU defense held strong on the Grizzlies' ensuing possession, and the Rams doubled their lead once they got the ball back, driving right down the field and punching the ball in from three yards on a rush from Tyrese Nathan.
Adams State had a drive going when they got the ball back and even got the ball into the red zone. On third and 3 at the ASU nine, however, defensive end Markus Jones got into the back field once again and brought down the Grizzlies' quarterback for a sack.
Adams State missed a field goal after the sack, giving the Rams the ball back. They capitalized again, with Johnson catching his second touchdown pass of the night, this time for 23 yards.
Jones forced a fumble with yet another sack on the next Grizzlies drive, and once again ASU scored. Sullins took it in himself this time from nine yards out, for one of his three TDs on the night.
Sullins completed 11 of 19 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for 63 yards as well.
The Rams continued to pour it on in the second quarter, scoring on their next three drives in the second quarter as well. Overall, ASU scored points on each of its first seven drives.
ASU was then finally forced to punt on their last drive of the half, as Charlie Rotherham took over at quarterback and the two teams went into the locker room with the Rams up 45-0.
The Rams scored twice more in the third quarter before ending their offensive onslaught, with Rotherham completing touchdown passes to Alize Thomas for 11 yards and Lawson Ayo for 40 yards.
Adams State finally found the end zone with less than a minute to go in the third quarter and scored twice more in the fourth to cut down the deficit, but the Rams were in control the rest of the way, cruising to the 59-20 win.
Angelo State will play its final home game of the 2017 season next weekend, taking on Eastern New Mexico at 2 p.m. at LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field.
