By J.T. Keith
Angelo State Rams Defensive Coordinator Mike Walton looks to make it two straight wins against his alma mater, Eastern New Mexico University, Saturday, at 5 p.m. at San Angelo University.
Walton was voted Greatest Greyhound three times and was a three-time All-Lone Star Conference selection. He was a two-time All-American for the Greyhounds and is the university’s all-time leading tackler with 575 career tackles.
In last year’s game, the Rams struck quickly. Future pro C.J. Akins, who is now playing for the St. Louis Rams, scored on a 99-yard touchdown pass on the team’s first possession. The Rams never looked back, beating the ‘Hounds 49-19 in Greyhound Stadium.
The ‘Hounds, however, controlled the line of scrimmage last year and outgained the Rams on the ground, rushing for 157 yards to the Rams’ 137 yards. The Greyhounds also had more yards in the air, throwing for 370 yards to the Rams 79 yards.
This year, a veteran Rams squad faces six teams ranked in the Top 25 nationally. Last week, No. 1 Valdosta State demolished the Rams 37-3.
The Rams also suffered a heartbreaking loss to No. 22 Tarleton State, 37-34, and lost a shootout to No. 5 Colorado State-Pueblo, 45-24. The Rams record is 1-3.
Look for sophomore quarterback Kyle Washington to run the ball. He is second on the team in rushing with 323 yards, averaging 80 yards per game.
Senior Jermie Calhoun has rushed for 391 yards this season, including a career-high 103 yards last week. Blake Smith rushed for 104 yards last week. That was the first time the Rams have had two rushers in a game run for more than 100 yards since 1993.
The Rams are ranked No. 13 in the nation in rushing the ball, averaging 260 yards a game.
Washington has thrown for 653 yards, with four touchdowns and four interceptions. He leads the team in total offense.
The Rams try to be balanced offensively, mixing the run and pass to keep defenses guessing.
On defense, the Rams are led by run-stuffing linebacker Rush Seaver. Seaver returned an interception for a touchdown earlier this year. He also returned an interception for a touchdown against ENMU in 2012.
On special teams, sophomore punter Sam Fowler is ranked No. 8 in the nation and has downed 12 punts inside the 20-yard line.
If the ‘Hounds are going to climb to .500, they must win now. The ‘Hounds like to run first. It will be a long day if they cannot control the ball and score touchdowns instead of field goals.
Third-year Angelo State coach Will Wagner is 1-1 against the ‘Hounds. The Rams lead the all-time series 22-13-1. ENMU’s last win against Angelo State was in 2011, when the team beat the Rams at Angelo State University 23-21.
Prediction: Angelo State wins 38-27.