SAN ANGELO – The No. 7 Tarleton Texans needed a win on Saturday at Angelo State to claim at least a share of the Lone Star Conference and the LSC South Division title, and thanks to a 21-14 victory in San Angelo, the Texans now have the chance to win it outright.

Tarleton improved to 9-1 on the season with the victory in which Roderick Smith became the school's second leading rusher of all-time. Smith gained 104 yards on 15 carries to tally 3,094 yards in his career to pass Derrick Ross (3,072 in 2004-05). 

Tarleton trailed 7-0 early in the contest, but the Texans outscored the Rams 21-7 through the rest of the game. The purple and white gained 368 yards of total offense, including 162 yards on the ground and 206 yards through the air.

After giving up a touchdown on the opening drive, the Tarleton defense shutdown the Ram offense. ASU gained 128 yards in the first quarter but just 99 yards in the second and third quarters combined. The Rams ended the night with 344 yards of offense, including 106 on the ground and 238 passing.

Tarleton forced a third and long on the opening drive, but a personal foul face mask on Tarleton kept the drive alive for the Rams. Sixteen plays later, V'Keon Lacy caught a five-yard pass from the running back Garrett Tidwell with 8:06 on the clock to give the home team the early lead. The extra point by Ryan Smith was good, and the Rams took an early 7-0 lead. The drive took 8:06 to cover 72 yards.

The Rams were driving at the close of the first quarter when Lonnie Buchanan intercepted the ball for the Texans at their own four-yard line. However, the Texans were forced to punt. 

Tarleton drove 87 yards on five plays to tie the game. Devin Guinn caught a 33-yard pass from Scott Grantham to cap a five-play drive that took 2:43 off the clock. Garrett Lindholm added the PAT to make it 7-7 with 1:50 left in the first half. 

Roderick Smith punched the ball in from three yards out with 2:50 on the clock. The touchdown capped a 59-yard, seven-play drive that took 3:36. Lindholm's kick made it 14-7 Texans. 

With 11:57 left in the fourth quarter, Grantham found Guinn on a quick hitch from three yards out, and after Lindholm's kick, Tarleton led 21-7. The drive took seven plays to cover 62 yards in 3:51.

The Rams took the ensuing drive 87 yards on seven plays in just 2:10 to bring the home team within seven points. Neiswander used a 17-yard pass to Lacy to score the touchdown. Smith hit the extra point to cut the score to 21-14 with 4:55 on the clock.

ASU then recovered an onside kick, but a personal foul backed the Rams up to the ASU 29-yard line. Facing a fourth and one, Neiswander kept the ball on a quarterback draw to convert the first down with 3:24 on the clock. The ASU quarterback then found a receiver over the middle of the field, but Tarleton's Marcus Phillips hit Tidwell and forced a fumble while McNeal Uwajeh recovered it for the Texans with 3:05 remaining in the contest. 

Tarleton faced a fourth and inches itself at the ASU 49-yard line with 1:25 on the clock, and after a Tarleton timeout, Grantham ran a quick snap keeper for a yard and a first down. Tarleton then snapped the ball twice in the victory formation. 

Smith led the Texans in rushing while Evan Robertson gained 45 yards on 13 carries. 

Grantham threw for 206 yards and two touchdowns while completing 13-of-24 passes with one interception. 

Guinn had eight receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns while Jahmeel Hobson had two catches for 26 yards and Keith Demby added two catches for 25 yards.

Matt Knicky led the team with 12 total tackles, including five solo and seven assisted stops. He also had a tackle and a half for a loss of minus-three yards. Jacob Rowe was second with eight tackles while Uwajeh was third with seven.

Neiswander set an ASU school single-season record with 22 touchdown passes and became the school's single-season passing leader with 2,718 yards. He was 25-of-38 for 233 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Dwight Pete had 11 carries for 38 yards for the Rams to lead the team while Bradan Ritchey topped the receiving corps with eight catches for 58 yards. Lacy had five receptions for 45 yards.

Jake Eannarelli led the Rams with nine total tackles,including four solo and five assisted stops. ASU had no tackles for loss on Saturday.

Tarleton will host West Texas A&M on Saturday, Nov. 7 for a chance to win both titles outright. For the last four years, the Texans' playoff hopes have ridden on this match-up, and this year is no different. A win would put the Texans in the playoffs for the first time since 2003, a loss could very well keep Tarleton out of the NCAA playoffs.  However, the Texans could represent the LSC in the Kanza Bowl.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.