Third-ranked Angelo State football team moves to 5-0 for the first time in 17 years

It was another statement-making day for the No. 3 Angelo State University football team.

The Rams rolled to a 30-7 blowout against Western Oregon in a Lone Star Conference matchup Saturday afternoon in Monmouth, Oregon.

ASU improved to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the LSC, while Western Oregon dropped to 1-4 and 0-3. The Rams' last 5-0 start was in 2005.

"It's a tough conference, especially on the road," ASU head coach Jeff Girsch said. "You've got to go to tough environments. It was hot out here and they've got good, physical football players. They do a good job, and man, it's always good to get a road win in the Lone Star.

"I'm proud of these guys for the way they played. Sure, we made some mistakes, but that's the coach's job to get back and get them corrected and move on to the next one. But our goal is to go 1-0 each week and we were fortunate to do that again this week to win five straight."

The last time ASU started 5-0 the current players were little kids.

"(ASU) has a huge, rich tradition of football and having this team recognized as one of those teams that's gotten to that point is an honor, there's no doubt," the Rams coach said. "There's been so many good football teams at Angelo State over the years and a national-championship team back in the day (in 1978).

"To be recognized right now as a team that's reached a 5-0 spot is great, but there's a lot of football left and I'm excited about what this team can do moving forward."

This was the first conference meeting between the Rams and Wolves.

Rams running back Nate Omayebu scored on touchdown runs of 10 and 2 yards in the first half. He finished with 19 carries for 83 yards.

Alfred Grear, the Rams' second-leading rusher last season, is out for the rest of the year with an injury.

ASU quarterback Zach Bronkhorst hooked up with running back Kason Philips for a 2-yard TD strike in the second quarter and an 82-yard TD toss in the third.

The Rams added a 21-yard field goal by Asa Fuller late in the fourth.

Bronkhorst completed 14 of 24 passes for 276 yards and two TDs. He was intercepted once.

Noah Massey led the Rams' receiving corps with three receptions for 87 yards. The bulk of it came on a 73-yarder.

Philips had two receptions for 84 yards.

ASU finished with 471 yards total offense, compared to 180 for Western Oregon.

"We were balanced and we spread it out," Girsch said. "You look at the numbers and Kason Philips continues to do some good things both in the run game and receiving. For the most part, I feel comfortable that our guys are excited about team victories and team stats.

"There's always guys who want the ball more and that kind of thing. That's just part of football players being competitive. We have a close-knit group. They tackled us for losses at times, but at the end of the day, we made some great plays and we wore on them up front in the O-line."

The Rams were 2 of 12 on third-down conversions and 2-for-3 on fourth-down tries.

The Wolves were 4 of 15 on third-down conversions and 0-for-1 on fourth down.

Girsch talked about the defense's performance.

"At the end of the day, our defense just rose to the occasion over and over and over again," the ASU coach said. "They had a couple of big plays they hit on us, but they're going to do that. They're good on offense and their running back is the real deal.

"I think their quarterback does a good job of managing the game and not making too many mistakes, so I'm proud of our guys. That's been a trademark of what we've been the last couple of years defensively. We've been a strong group and this group on defense is no different."

Unfortunately, the Rams won't be able to lean on the speedy Grear for any more carries in 2022.

"He's going to be out for the rest of the year, but we'll keep moving forward with what we've got," Girsch said. "Alfred's a complete competitor. His job now is to get healthy and do the things he can do and he can control and there's no doubt in my mind that he will."

Grear will have the opportunity to get a medical redshirt for this season.

"The young man's a really good student," the Rams coach said. "He's going to end up walking out of here with a Master's degree and a whole bunch of opportunities. At the end of the day, I'm excited for what Alfred will bring to this program both on the field and off.

"He's a vocal leader and just a positive role model on the sidelines. He's an outstanding young man and he'll continue to be a leader for us even though he's not playing."

ASU will host Eastern New Mexico at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 at 1st Community Credit Union Stadium at LeGrand Field.

"It's always fun to play back in San Angelo and have the support that we've got," Girsch said. "This was an awesome trip out here. Our kids got to experience a different part of the country to go see. I relish that for those guys. It's really cool for them to go do that.

"But at the end of the day, there's no place like San Angelo, Texas for playing football. We're excited to get back and see our fans and sleep in our own beds before the game."

This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: Third-ranked Angelo State football team improves to 5-0