By: Con Marshall
Nationally-ranked Angelo State scored on three lengthy drives in the first half and used interceptions to add two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter while defeating Chadron State 35-0 in the season-opener for both teams here Thursday night.
Chadron State Coach Jay Long said the Rams showed they are an outstanding team, and that his team competed well, but has some things, such as pass protection, that it must improve upon.
Angelo State finished with 26 first downs to the Eagles’ 13 and out-yarded Chadron State 420 to 220 yards. The Eagles were forced to punt 10 times. Neither team was good on third-down conversions. CSC was five of 17 and Angelo State four of 13.
The Rams took a 7-0 lead with 4 minutes left in the first period, when running back Nathan Omayebu spun into the end zone from six yards out to cap a 65-yard drive. The Eagles were assessed four penalties during the drive, including two half-the-distance-to-the-goal calls in the red zone.
Angelo State completed three consecutive passes for 65 yards to get its second touchdown late in the first period. Quarterback Zach Brockhorst hit Kyle Bradford with tosses of 17 and 23 yards before connecting in the corner of the end zone with Noah Massey from the 25-yard line
The Texas team went ahead 21-0 midway in the second quarter on a 79-yard drive. The big play was a 32-yard pass from Brockhorst to running back Alfred Grear. Brockhorst also completed a nine-yard pass to Massey before connecting on a seven-yard toss to Thomas Aych for the TD.
Late in the second frame the Eagles forced the Rams to attempt two field goals, neither of which was good. CSC also attempted a 52-yard field goal in the second half that was partially blocked.
The second half was a mostly a defensive standoff with neither team threatening. But cornerback Andrew Pitts picked off a pass thrown by Chadron State quarterback Heath Beemiller and returned it 40 yards to the Eagles’ 10. Brockhorst ran for the touchdown on the ensuing play with 10:30 remaining in the fourth.
The Rams’ Jordan McKinney also intercepted Beemiller at the Eagles’ 41 and took it to the end zone with 4:30 to play for the game’s final TD. Asa Fuller kicked all five of his team’s extra points.
Bronkhorst completed 18 of 34 passes for 233 yards and was not intercepted. The Rams, who also did not lose any fumbles, rushed for 191 yards with Grear carrying 13 times for 111 yards.
Beemiller proved to be a “running quarterback.” He led the Eagles in rushing with 18 carries for 90 yards, but the three CSC running backs gained just 71 on 18 rushes.
The Eagles’ passing game clicked on only six of 25 passes while under heavy pressure from Angelo State blitzes. Long said in the post-game interview that providing better protection for the quarterback is something the Eagles will work on as they prepare for next Saturday’s game (Sept. 10) at against Utah Tech at St. George, Utah.
Utah Tech, formerly known as Dixie State, opens its season this Saturday at Sacramento State.