Kingsville – Texas A&M University-Kingsville snapped a nearly decade-long losing streak to conference rival No. 12 Angelo State with a commanding 24-19 victory at Javelina Stadium on Saturday.
On a night honoring former championship teams, the Javelinas (3-3, 2-2 LSC) channeled the grit and determination of those legendary squads, delivering a performance that even the nationally-ranked Rams (4-2, 2-2 LSC) couldn't answer.
"I think that the total message was belief," Parr said. "Let's believe in ourselves and our team tonight. Let's stay unified through all the trials and errors and I think that showed up."
Head coach Scott Parr's air raid offensive system looked everything it promised to be, amassing a balanced 294 yards through the air and 140 on the ground. The defense matched that intensity stride for stride, holding the Rams to just 342 total yards while creating crucial stops that allowed the offense to capitalize.
It was textbook complementary football. Redshirt freshman defensive back
Leo Lane Jr. recorded an interception that swung momentum, while the senior duo of defensive lineman
Tre Robbins and linebacker
Eric Barnes combined for two sacks that stalled Ram drives. Each time the defense made a stand, the offense answered with points - a winning formula befitting of Champions Night.
The Blue and Gold defense set the tone early as Angelo State drove down the field on a 13-play, 4:31 drive. When the Javelinas needed them most, they stood tall, holding the Rams to a field goal and an early 3-0 deficit.
The Hogs wasted no time answering. Senior quarterback
Jack Turner connected with sophomore wide receiver King Phillip on a 70-yard strike, and three yards from the goal line, sophomore running back
Edward Chumley punched it in to give the home team a 7-3 lead.
Both offenses struggled to sustain drives until Angelo State found the end zone early in the second quarter to take a 10-7 lead. The Hogs responded with a methodical 15-play, 70-yard drive capped by sophomore kicker
Daniel Gauna splitting the uprights on a 27-yard field goal, tying the game 10-10 at halftime.
Coming out of the locker room for the third quarter, the Javelinas put together some of their finest football. Turner looked every bit the veteran signal-caller, aided by a balanced attack featuring multiple receivers and a punishing running game from Chumley.
Turner hit tight end
Ivan Thomas to put Kingsville on top 17-10. From that point on, the Javelina defense took over. The Rams struggled to generate any momentum, even after making a quarterback change, as the Blue and Gold proved relentless.
Angelo State managed only a field goal, cutting the lead to 17-13, but by then the Hogs were firing on all cylinders. On the ensuing possession, Chumley went back to work, cutting on a dime against the Ram defense. From the 27-yard line, Chumley burst up the middle and into the end zone, capping a career-high rushing performance.
"I'm just really proud of all of our kids for competing," Head Coach Scott Parr said. "I thought the defense carried us and kept believing in us. Eventually, all three phases made plays to help us win."
The Javelinas will be back in action against top-ranked Central Washington next Saturday. Fans of the Javelinas can watch the game on FloCollege or follow the game at JavelinaFB on X.
