Rams Shut Down UCO

9/17/2011 5:37:00 PM

Tucker Cason

Game Statistics

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Sept. 17) -- Nothing went right for Central Oklahoma in the second half and the result was another frustrating road loss for the Bronchos, this one a 20-0 setback to former Lone Star Conference rival Angelo State.

UCO battled the unbeaten Rams on even terms on both sides of the ball in the first half and trailed just 3-0 at intermission, but the offense went nowhere in the final two quarters and the overworked defense eventually wore down as the Rams constantly enjoyed good field position.

It was the ninth consecutive loss -- and 10^th straight on the road -- for the Bronchos, who fell to 0-3 while suffering their first shutout loss since 2007. ASU improved to 3-0.

UCO was missing several key players to illness and injury in the contest, particularly on offense where two line starters didn't even suit up and another one went out with a second-half injury.

The Bronchos outgained ASU 184-130 in the first half and then managed just 91 yards in the final two quarters, losing six yards on the ground in seven attempts. All-American running back Joshua Birmingham was held to a career-low 24 yards in 17 carries.

Ethan Sharp hit 29-of-52 passes for 263 yards with two interceptions, finding wide receiver Steve Caldwell nine times for 52 yards. Tight end Bryce Davis had career highs for receptions (seven) and yards (89).

ASU had 217 second-half yards in finishing with 347 yards on 81 plays. Linebacker Tucker Cason was all over the field in making a career-best 18 tackles to lead UCO's defensive efforts, with safety Keno Meadows adding 12 stops.

A failed fourth-down gamble set up ASU's first score of the second half when Birmingham was stopped cold on a fourth-and-one try at the UCO 46. The Rams made the Bronchos pay second down from there when Blake Hamblin hit Joey Knight with a 46-yard touchdown pass that made it 10-0.

ASU missed a field goal on its next offensive try after taking over at the UCO 49 as the defense held, but the Rams got the ball back in great field possession moments later at the Broncho 49 and this time converted the short field into a 33-yard field goal for a 13-0 lead with 39 seconds left in the third period.

The Rams made it a 20-0 cushion with 9:00 left with a short 36-yard touchdown drive after a long punt return.

The Bronchos moved past midfield just once in the second half.

UCO limited the Rams to 13 rushing yards on 20 tries in the opening half, but trailed 3-0 when Jarred Martin hit a chip-shot 19-yard field goal on the final play of the second quarter to cap a 78-yard drive in the final minutes.

The Bronchos had a fine defensive stand to repel one prime ASU scoring chance after the Rams had taken over at the UCO 38-yard-line following a fumbled punt, with Rakim Dawkins breaking up back-to-back passes before a fourth-and-five pass fell incomplete at the 33.

Central's offense responded with its best scoring chance of the opening half, picking up three first downs in moving 43 yards to a first-and-10 at the ASU 24 as Sharp converted third downs with passes of 12 yards to Artrell Woods, nine yards to Steve Caldwell and six yards to Bryce Davis.

But that drive went for naught when Sharp's second down pass from the 24 was intercepted and the Rams went on to take the 3-0 lead with their late scoring drive.

UCO plays its fourth straight road game to open the season next week, traveling to Weatherford to take on Southwestern Oklahoma at 6 p.m.

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