Football Loses to ASU, 24-2

September 13, 2008

WEATHERFORD, Okla. –- Southwestern Oklahoma State University dug itself a deep hole early and could not find ways to climb out, losing 24-2 to visiting Angelo State in a football game Saturday in Weatherford.

Angelo State (1-2) scored on its first three possessions to take an early 17-0 lead and then turned things over to its defense. The Rams snapped what had been a seven-game losing streak that stretched back to the mid-point of the 2007 season.

SWOSU (1-2) struggled all night offensively. The Bulldogs were limited to just 192 yards of total offense and turned the ball over five times to the visitors.

The Rams (1-2) were led quarterback Will Mezger who completed 15-of-26 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Mezger’s 21-yard pass to Nate Bayless put ASU on the board with 6:39 to play in the first quarter.

He then connected with Robert Boone on a 35-yard strike to move ASU ahead 14-0 with 2:43 in the second. The lead grew to 17-0 after a 25-yard field goal by Ryan Smith early in the second quarter.

SWOSU’s only score came in the third quarter when linebacker Ruzell McCoy brought down a Ram ball carrier with 12:15 to play in the quarter. The safety brought the Bulldogs closer at 17-2. McCoy finished the game with a team-high 11 tackles, including four tackles that resulted in lost yardage.

ASU then quickly re-established its momentum when it took advantage of a fumbled punt return and took over at the SWOSU 20-yard line. Two plays later, Daniel Thomas broke free from 16-yards out and the score was at its final, 24-2, with 7:33 to play in the game.

The Bulldogs will next play Saturday at nationally-ranked and three-time defending Lone Star Conference Champion West Texas A&M. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.