August 29th, 2025 1:00am
HAYS, Kan. – The 13th/ /12th ranked Angelo State football team opened the 2025 campaign with a victory as the Rams defeated Fort Hays State 28-7 on the road on Thursday night.
The victory marks the 50th win for Head Coach Jeff Girsch, who becomes the fastest coach to reach that milestone in program history.
After both teams traded possessions, the Rams struck first as Braeden Fuller launched a 60-yard pass to Zeek Freeman for the first score of the season.
In the second quarter, the Rams added to their lead as Fuller scrambled to the sideline before finding Corey Sandolph in the back of the endzone for a nine-yard pass to go up 14-0.
Fuller continued where he left off a season ago, throwing for 177 yards and three touchdowns, completing 63 percent of his passes on the night.
The Rams held the Tigers scoreless in the first quarter while Marquis Brown recorded an interception to end FHSU's drive late in the period.
With just under two minutes to go in the first half, the Tigers found the endzone on a 22-yard pass to cut ASU's lead to seven points.
In the third quarter, the Rams extended the lead once again as Kaden Smith took the ball on a handoff before finding Donny Bishop on a 32-yard touchdown pass to make it 21-7.
ASU's defense held the Tigers to one score and only 268 total yards of offense, including 96 yards on the ground. Brown was the leading tackler for the Rams, finishing the night with 13 total while Xavier Walton collected seven tackles.
With just under two minutes to play in the game, Fuller connected with Sandolph once again, finding him on a 30-yard pass to make it a 21-point lead for the Rams.
Sandolph finished with 46 yards on four catches while Freeman tallied 72 yards on two catches and Bishop finished with two catches for 42 yards.
ASU finished with 366 total yards of offense, totaling 148 yards rushing. Jayden Jones was the leading rusher with 79 yards, averaging over seven yards a carry.
The Rams return to San Angelo next week as they host their home opener against another MIAA opponent in Emporia State on Saturday, Sept. 6 with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m.