The Texas Wesleyan Rams were poised to make a strong showing in their football home and season opener Thursday night at the Crowley Multi-Purpose Stadium against the Bronchos of Oklahoma Central University. Things quickly got out of hand and the Rams never recovered. The offense couldn’t get going and their defense was no match for the runaway Bronchos who bucked every defender on their way to a first half shutout. The Rams boast a roster full of talented athletes and a capable coaching staff. Future plans to move to NCAA Division II were announced before the season as the program looks to build on its recent successes. The opener should have shown that the Rams were ready to make the move. Instead, it sent the Ram football program back to the drawing board. The Bronchos added 24 second-half points and the Rams added a third quarter touchdown to erase the shutout.
Coming into the game, the Rams and Bronchos were somewhat evenly matched and the game was expected to be close. There were similarities in time of possession as Wesleyan held the ball 31:49, more than three and a half minutes more than the Bronchos (28:11). The Rams outgained the Bronchos on the ground by 20 yards, gaining 154 yard to the Bronchos’ 134. It was in the air that the Bronchos were unstoppable more than tripling Wesleyan, 364-108 yards in the air. This was the obvious difference in the game as OCU’s passing game opened the door for their four rushing touchdowns in the red zone.
On nearly all levels, the Rams seemed to be outmatched but there are plenty of positives to take into week two. Ryan Seymour’s big sack to begin the third quarter led to an OCU turnover at their own 16 yard line. The Rams capitalized on that fumble recovery and on the ensuing drive, scored on a 1-yard run from Ian Jernagin who finished the game with 90 yards on 16 carries. Jemari Seals’ seven tackles and Jaden Fisher’s five tackles and fumble recovery, and Ryan Seymour’s three tackles, sack and forced fumble led the defensive effort.
Coach Fran Johnson and his staff look to sharpen the Rams efforts and put this opening loss behind them.
The Rams look to regroup and regain its footing next week versus McNeese State. They’ll try again for their next home win on Saturday September 12, when they take on the Steers from Texas College.
