HAYS, Kan. – In a matchup of ranked teams to open the 2025 season, No. 13/12 Angelo State defeated RV/No. 20 Fort Hays State 28-7 on Thursday night (Aug. 28) at Lewis Field. A mixed bag of creative offensive plays helped Angelo State to the victory, outscoring FHSU 14-0 in the second half after leading by just seven at the break.
 
In the first quarter, the Fort Hays State offense sputtered, managing only 14 rushing yards and one pass completion for eight yards. The Rams struck first with a 60-yard touchdown pass over the top of the Tiger defense from Braeden Fuller to Zeek Freeman.
 
Angelo State added a touchdown in the second quarter, a 9-yard pass from Fuller to Corey Sandolph to extend its lead to 14-0. However, Fort Hays State's offense found a bit of a spark as Caleb Heavner connected with Ethan Hilliman on a 22-yard touchdown pass with 1:54 to go in the half. The Tigers got the ball back on an interception by Michael Chavez, but 52-yard field goal attempt with time expiring in the first half fell off the mark.
 
The Tigers had momentum going into the second half, getting the ball first out of the break. However, the ASU defense was up to the task as it continued to stymie the FHSU offense. ASU held FHSU to just 45 yards in the quarter and moved back ahead by 14 when it used two of its quarterbacks on a play that produced a 32-yard touchdown pass from Kaeden Smith to Donny Bishop.
 
The Tigers had an opportunity to cut back into the Rams' lead in the fourth when it moved the ball down to the ASU 11. But, a turnover on a fumble snapped any hope of a Tiger comeback. ASU went on to put the game away with a 9-play, 86-yard drive capped on the second touchdown reception by Sandolph from Fuller, this time from 30 yards out. That score produced the final 21-point margin.
 
Angelo State outgained FHSU in total offense 366 to 268. Fuller threw for 177 yards and three touchdowns for the Rams. Heavner finished with 172 passing yards on a 20-of-35 effort for the Tigers. Both quarterbacks had one interception in the game.

Ethan Hilliman led the Tiger receivers with five catches for 49 yards. Joshua Clark led in rushing with 55 yards. Jayden Jones led the ground attack for ASU with 79 yards, while Freeman finished with 72 receiving yards.
 
On the defensive side of the ball Gavin Meyers led the Tigers with 10 tackles. Gaven Haselhorst had a pair of sacks to go with six tackles and a forced fumble. Chavez had four tackles to go with his interception. Marquis Brown led the ASU defense with 13 tackles and an interception.
 
The result snapped a 6-game win streak for FHSU at home. ASU evened the young series history between the teams after FHSU won the season opener the year before 21-7 in Hays.
 
The Tigers have another strong test next week when they travel to play CSU Pueblo, currently ranked No. 6/7 in the nation, on Thursday, September 4 in Colorado. The Thunderwolves ran away with a 43-0 win in their season opener over South Dakota Mines.