MONMOUTH, Ore.--Visiting Angelo State rolled the dice to go for two points In their first possession of overtime and converted, handing Western Oregon a 29-28 heartbreaking defeat on Saturday afternoon at McArthur Field.

The Rams, who had the ball second in overtime, scored on a 12-yard pass from Ayden Arp to Alan Dobbins to pull within one point at 28-27. They then went for the win and got it on the short pass from Arp to Trevor Winn.

It was the first win of the year for the Rams, who improved to 1-3 overall and 1-1 in the Lone Star Conference. The Wolves are now 2-2 on the season and 0-2 in conference play. 

Moments earlier, the Wolves scored on their first overtime possession on a one-year run by Tyler Konold. That came after Jordan McCarty set the table with a 19-yard strike to Emmitt Fee. Ashton Wolff's extra point was good. Prior to that, in regulation play, Western Oregon drove to the ASU 13-yard line, but a missed field goal attempt as time expired to send the game into extra time.

It was a wild game with a wild finish on a sunny afternoon in front of 866 fans in Monmouth.

The game began at a much slower defensive pace. The Wolves had just 15 rushing yards in the first half and 33 passing yards. ASU didn't fare much better with just 121 total yards in the first 30 minutes. The score was knotted at 7-7, with McCarty finding Fee in the first quarter for 40 yards and a score. The Rams scored in the second period on a five-yard pass from Arp to Alex Wyatt.

The pace picked up considerably in the second half. ASU took their first lead just moments after intermission on a 31-year strike from Arp to Kegan Stelmazeski to grab a 14-7 lead. WOU answered at 8:30 on a pass from McCarty to Jaylen Fite for eight yards to knot it at 14-14.

Then, on the Rams' next drive, a botched snap on a punt attempt gave WOU great field position and the Wolves took advantage on the first play with a 27-yard catch and score from McCarty to Erick Gonzalez-Bejar to take a 21-14 lead into the fourth quarter.

Angelo State provided the only score in the fourth quarter with 9:35 to go via the air, Arp to Alan Dobbins. That's the way the score stood leading up to WOU's final drive and the missed field goal to force overtime. 

"This is one of those games that obviously could have gone either way," said head coach Arne Ferguson. "We had our opportunities in regulation and overtime, but just didn't get it done. Everyone in this conference is very good and there isn't much margin for error. Angelo State is a very talented team."

McCarty finished with 194 yards passing (16-for-32) and three scores through the air. He also rushed for 28 yards. Gonzalez-Bejar had four catches for 53 yards and Fee had three grabs for 64 yards. Carson Workman had 36 yards to lead the ground game.

Angelo State led the Wolves in total offense 413-324 and in first downs, 23-16. 

"We have to play with more consistency and just have to get better," Ferguson added. "I was pleased with how hard we played. We just need to play faster on defense, which comes with understanding our defense better. On offense, we play better with a sense of urgency and we just didn't have that the whole game. Consistency is the key and will keep striving for that."

WOU's next opportunity is next Saturday (Oct.3) at Midwestern State (TX), with a noon Pacific Time kick-off scheduled.