Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Box Score San Angelo, Texas—In their season opener, the Oklahoma Panhandle State University Football team faced Angelo State University, the 2014 Lone Star Conference Playoff Champions, and learned a great deal about what it will take to compete in the LSC as they officially enter the league in 2016.

The Aggies also learned a great deal about what strengths and challenges they will face moving forward. Freshman punter Jacob Test proved to be one of the strong points, starting in his first collegiate football game in a very daunting environment. Test averaged 39.4 yards per punt and utilized his high school quarterback skills on a fake punt to Xazier Murry good for a 55-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

ASU proved worthy of their No. 12 national rank notching a 52-31 victory over the Aggies. The Rams took an early lead in the first quarter with a surprising 93-yard punt return straight to the OPSU end zone. Zacari Lavender followed up with a 31-yard kickoff return for the Aggies giving OPSU a great start to an eight-play drive. The Aggies failed to convert on fourth-and- five and turned the ball over on possession. The Aggie defense did a great job containing ASU for the remainder of the first quarter holding the Rams to six points.

Offensively the Aggies struggled throughout the second quarter and could not sustain any drives, leaving the defense exhausted. Angelo went nine plays for 95 yards and a touchdown on their first drive of the quarter to make the score 13-0. Freshman quarterback Brandon Ramon took a sack on a third -and- one play, and a blocked field goal on fourth down was recovered by the Rams and run in for a quick score that left OPSU down by 20 with six minutes remaining in the half. Devyn Williams then gave the Rams a little payback with a 92-yard kickoff return putting the Aggies on the board with seven points. ASU responded with two more scoring drives sending the Aggies to the locker room down 35-7 at halftime.

Senior running back Chris McClendon got the Aggies off to a good start in the third quarter with a three-yard TD run.  Overall the Aggies outscored the Rams 24-14 in the 3rd, highlighted by a 92 yard scamper by McClendon.  Coach Gaskamp said about the comeback, "We were not happy with the player's body language and enthusiasm going into halftime. The staff challenged the team to start back over and compete. I was proud of the effort."

Neither team's offense did much in the 4th quarter as subs from both teams took a majority of the reps.  A single field goal by Angelo State wrapped up the scoring. Offensively the Aggies were led by McClendon's 17 rushes for 138 yards and two touchdowns and by Rod Moore's 8 carries for 82 yards, averaging 10.2 per rush. Defensively the Aggies were paced by Murry and Neptuneson Joseph's 14 and 11 tackles, respectively. The defense created two interceptions, one by senior Jamel Major and one by freshman Byron Edwards playing in his first collegiate game.

"First let me say that ASU is an excellent football team; those guys have a chance to go deep in the playoffs. Offensively we were very inconsistent. Our two running backs made some great individual runs but we struggled in the offensive line against their great pass rush. Our line has to play better."

Gaskamp also added, "I thought our defense played well at times but we gave up too many big plays. Special teams were a roller coaster for both teams, common for a first game. But I was pleased with Jacob (Test) in his first game punting for us. We have to get back to work over the weekend, improve in practice and prepare well for a good Fort Lewis team on September 12th."

The Aggies again go on the road to Durango, Colo. to face the Skyhawks, who lost to #11-ranked FCS opponent Montana State 45-14. The team's first home game will be on Sept. 19th against long-time foe Langston University at 2 p.m.