KINGSVILLE, Texas (Football) – A quick start for the Javelinas gave the Homecoming crowd a 10-0 lead following a 26-yard field goal by Max Lehnig and back-to-back firsts as an interception by Trevor Pesek led to a Deondric Lofton touchdown. However, Angelo State University (4-3, 3-2 LSC) showcased its nationally-ranked offensive attack en route to a 57-31 victory over Texas A&M University-Kingsville (1-6, 0-5 LSC) on Saturday evening at Javelina Stadium.
 
The Rams entered Kingsville ranked No. 15 nationally, averaging 41.8 points per game. With the victory, Angelo State puts an end to a seven-game losing streak when visiting Javelina Stadium for TAMUK's Kleberg Bank Homecoming game. The Javelinas still lead the all-time series, 33-15.
 
"I was proud of the effort our guys put forth, but we still need to work on finishing plays," said interim head coach Jaime Martinez. "It was a long week for our guys, but we need to go out and improve on the little things. No excuses."
 
Pesek's interception was the first of the season for TAMUK and after returning the pick for 28 yards, Trey Mitchell found Daniel Ramirez for 18 yards to enter the ASU red zone. Shawn Vasquez rushed for 14 yards before Lofton's first career touchdown to give the Blue and Gold a 10-0 advantage with 3:57 left to play in the opening quarter.
 
However, the Rams closed out the first frame with two of its four unanswered touchdowns as an interception proved to be costly, allowing ASU to take a 14-10 lead. After adding two touchdowns to take a 28-10 lead, Mitchell rushed for 60 yards for his sixth rushing touchdown of the season, cutting TAMUK's deficit to 28-17.  At the half, Angelo State tacked on another touchdown to enter the locker room with a 36-17 edge. Mitchell rushed for 116 yards and went 10-of-15 with one throwing touchdown (95 total yards) and one interception in the first half. Lehnig pinned a punt inside the 20 and Pesek, Trevor Moses and Lamont Hills registered seven tackles apiece. Darius Lively, AA Vaaulu and Braedon Robinson each recorded one quarterback hurry.
 
The Javelinas came out firing in the second half, holding the Rams scoreless on their first drive of the third quarter and scoring after an 11-play, 80-yard drive. On the drive, Jordan Thomas caught a 38-yard pass and Vasquez rushed for 27 yards, including a five-yard run for a touchdown to cut ASU's lead to 36-24. Angelo State padded on two touchdowns later in the quarter to blow the game open, 50-24.
 
The Rams added a touchdown in the fourth quarter, before Darius Lively recorded a 29-yard tipped interception return. Alex Rios forced his way into the end zone with 1:59 remaining in the game, scoring his second rushing touchdown of the season. Angelo State clinched the win 57-31.
 
For Kingsville, Moses led all players with 17 tackles and Hills and Pesek added 10 tackles apiece. Mitchell went 13-of-24 for 156 yards and one touchdown. Thomas led all receivers with six receptions for 87 yards. Vasquez finished with 81 rushing yards and a score and Rios rushed for 10 yards.
 
Texas A&M-Kingsville heads to Canyon, Texas to take on West Texas A&M University (4-3, 3-2 LSC) Saturday, Oct. 25 at 3 p.m. The Buffs fell to No. 23 A&M-Commerce, 48-21, on Saturday evening.

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