The ACU football team travelled to San Angelo over the weekend to play a less-talented Rams squad, but lost 28-23.

The Wildcats jumped out to an early 9-0 lead, but the rest of the game was all Angelo State. ACU struggled to move the ball against the Rams’ defense.

Quarterback Mitchell Gale was unable to get into a rhythm in the passing game, and was under pressure the entire night. The Rams defense accounted for seven sacks and knocked down Gale many times.

The Wildcats also had their fair share of dropped passes, with several players failing to make catches they routinely make.

“The missed passes are just the beginning,” Head Coach Ken Collums said. “The problem is we dropped some balls that we should havecaught, and gave up pressure on the offensive line. It is disappointing that we didn’t make them earn the stops that they got.”

However, the Wildcats were resilient in the fourth quarter and almost completed a double-digit comeback.

A couple of quick scores in the final 15 minutes added drama to the game on Saturday. ACU was closing in on a third touchdown in as many drives when the Angelo State defense made a stand and capitalized on a Gale pass that was deflected into the air.

A Ram linebacker was in the right place at the right time, and the pigskin fell right into his arms and sealed ACU’s fate.

Angelo State dominated in time of possession, leaving the Wildcat defense on the field for more than 39 minutes.

“Well part of the reason we were out there so long is we weren’t getting stops or forcing three and outs,” Linebacker Thor Woerner said. “We have to force them to get off the field fast when they get on the field.”

However, the purple and white hung tough, and kept the ‘Cats within striking range. Linebacker Justin Stephens had a nose for the football all night, racking up 13 tackles.

Another standout on defense was Mike Wallace, who registered seven solo tackles, a sack, and an interception. Wallace played a key role in slowing down a Ram’s offense that looked menacing throughout parts of the game.

The loss is debilitating, but not devastating for ACU. If the ‘Cats play well the rest of the way, a Lone Star Conference championship is still a possibility.

ACU will look to get back on track this Thursday when they travel to Cleveland, Miss. to take on a Delta State squad that made it all the way to the national semi-finals last year.

“I can speak for every single player, there is a fire burning in the pit of our stomach right now,” Woerner said. “I’m excited that we get to play in five days instead of seven, and I know a lot of those other guys are too.”