For the first time since 2011 the football team has a record of 5-0 for the season.
The Mustangs defeated then No.6 Angelo State Rams 29-20 on Saturday to move up to the No. 12 position in the American Football Coaches’ Association rankings, the highest they have been since being ranked No. 8 in 2012.
Darren Paige, assistant football coach, said, “It was a tremendous performance by our football team. It truly is a testament to the hard work our guys have put in on and off the field. This is the beginning of them getting what their work deserves.”
Calvin Stewart, linebacker, scored the first touchdown of the game recovering a fumble from Andy Alkhazshvilly’s failed kick in the first eight minutes of the first quarter.
Stewart, business management senior said, “It was great to get the first touchdown of the game. Obviously it gives you a lot of confidence as well as the whole team. Getting the first touchdown intimates the other team. It shows them how focused you are and allows you to have an early lead.”
The second and beginning of the third quarter wasn’t in the Mustangs favor. Angelo State scored the only touchdown of the second quarter followed by a touchdown within the first 15 minutes of the third quarter, leaving the football team down 6-13.
The Mustangs came back with Statron Jones receiver, scoring a touchdown from a 24-yard pass from quarterback Quade Coward to even the game 13-13.
Paige said, “Evening the game to 13-13 was crucial. There wasn’t long left in the third quarter and we didn’t want to go into the fourth quarter seven points behind ASU. We wanted to take the confidence away from them. And that we did.”
Less than a minute later the Mustangs had a three point lead, 16-13, following Andy Alkhazshvilly, business management senior kicker, 41-yard field goal.
With 11 seconds left in the third quarter, the Mustangs furthered their lead to 23-13, with Sir’Vell Ford, defensive back, scoring a 13-yard touchdown from a blocked punt return.
Ford criminal justice freshman said, “This was the breaking point. Obviously the game wasn’t over yet, we still had a whole quarter to get through and anything could have happened, but we went out into that fourth quarter with momentum and ASU had to play catch-up.”
The fourth quarter went all in the Mustangs favor. Two 30-yard field goals by Alkhazshvilly lead the Mustangs to a 29-20 victory.
The Mustangs will play Oct. 10 against West Texas A&M at 7 p.m. at the Memorial Stadium.
