Angelo State dominates Bemidji State, moves to quarterfinals

Bemidji State broke the ice Saturday at LeGrand Stadium with a touchdown in the first quarter.

After that score, the Angelo State defense decided the Beavers were going to score no more. The Rams offense, meanwhile, came to life with 13 second-quarter points and then closed out the game with 20 fourth-quarter points, including a defensive score, to take a 33-7 victory in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

How it happened

The Beavers found themselves on a short field midway through the first quarter and took advantage when Brendan Beaulieu scored on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Alt at the 7:28 mark of the first quarter.

The Rams, though, responded with two touchdown pass connections from quarterback Zach Bronkhorst and Nate Omayebu III for 19 and 12 yards, respectively, in the second quarter.

The fourth quarter scoring surge was punctuated when Angelo State's Kason McCullough-Cooper snagged an interception and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown with 3:07 remaining in the game.

Saturday's stars

Angelo State's defense held the Beavers to eight first downs, and 188 total yards, including 10 yards rushing. Angelo State's Daron Allman finished with six total tackles, including two for loss.

Bronkhorst completed 21 of 41 passes for 337 yards with two touchdowns, and Omayebu finished the day with 91 yards on 24 carries as Kason Phillips added 68 yards on 12 carries. Noah Massey caught seven passes for 96 yards in the victory.

Up next

Angelo State will play Colorado School of Mines on Saturday Dec. 3 at LeGrand Stadium at a time to be determined. Colorado School of Mines defeated Minnesota State 45-43. The Rams and Colorado School of Mines met earlier this season with Angelo State winning 30-27 in overtime in Golden, Colorado.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Angelo State dominates Bemidji State to open NCAA Division II playoffs