Fighting down to the last two seconds in the game, the Rams fell to the Arizona Christian Firestorm 36-29 on Saturday night in Phoenix.
The Rams lost to the Firestorm last season 63-7, according to ramsports.net.
In the first quarter, the Rams had a rough start with a couple penalties, several incomplete passes by quarterback Donavan Isom, and a failed field goal attempt by Kade Dixon from 45 yards.
The Firestorm scored a touchdown six minutes into the first quarter and again two minutes later. The Firestorm then scored a third touchdown with three minutes left in the quarter, bringing the score to 21-0.
The Rams came back in the second quarter with a touchdown by Desmond Nisby on a four-yard run. This brought the score to 21-6. Later in the half, the Rams scored another touchdown on a 41-yard pass from Isom to Cole Maxwell. Dixon kicked the extra point, bringing the score to 21-13.
Diamond Williams scored the third Rams touchdown of the game on a 64-yard punt return. Dixon’s kick was blocked, but he made another attempt from 44 yards and put the Rams in the lead. The Rams finished the half ahead 22-21.
In the third quarter, Isom was carried off the field by his teammates and replaced by Avery Childs for the rest of the game. The Rams held their lead until the last minute of the third quarter when the Firestorm got a touchdown, bringing the score to 29-22.
The Firestorm continued to hold their lead in the fourth quarter by scoring another touchdown six minutes in; the extra point brought the score to 36-22. The Rams didn’t give up, however. With less than five minutes left in the game, Jermarcus Jones scored a touchdown on a one-yard run. Dixon’s extra point made the score 36-29.
With less than two minutes left in the game, the Rams called a timeout followed by the Firestorm calling one. The Rams worked to get the final touchdown to tie the score. Childs completed a pass to get the Rams first down.
At the eight-second mark, Arizona Christian called for a timeout. Childs thew an incomplete pass before the Rams called their last timeout with two seconds left on the clock.
With two seconds left in the game, Childs’ pass to Erik Richards fell short. The Firestorm took the game, giving the Rams 1-1 record in the Sooner Athletic Conference and 1-3 overall.
The Rams will play their next home game against Langston University next Saturday at 7 p.m. at Farrington Field.