San Angelo, TX -- Western New Mexico University kicked off the 2004 season in fine fashion with a 23-20 overtime win over Angelo State Saturday night in San Angelo. The game was decided in the fourth overtime period when Senior Quarterback Marques Reischl (Tombstone, AZ/Tombstone High School) hit Hurtis Chinn (Miami, FL/) on a 16-yard pass to take the victory after Angelo State had kicked a field goal in their overtime possession to move ahead 20-17.

WNMU moved to 1-0 and Lone Star Conference member Angelo State slipped to 0-1.

Angelo State started out the scoring in the game in the second quarter with a 3-yard run from Bill Renfro and a Ryan Hunt PAT. The Mustangs only took four plays to strike back though as Reischl hit a streaking Brett Spence (Hamilton Beach, CA/) with a 49-yard strike and Marty Hysen (San Jacinto, CA/Mount San Jacinto High School) scored the extra point.

The third quarter saw the Mustangs strike quickly and again from 49-yards as Chinn was the recipient of Reischl's bullet and again, Hysen scored the PAT.

Angelo State's Ryan Hunt kicked a 41-yard field goal on the Ram's next possession to move to within three points at 14-10 before taking the outright lead 17-14 on a 1-yard run quarterback sneak by Sol Southall and a Hunt PAT. WNMU answered early in the fourth quarter with a 33-yard field goal to tie the game at 17. Neither team could manage another score in the final stanza.

The overtimes were a comedy of errors on both teams as both teams fumbled, lost possessions through interceptions and missed field goals.

When the Rams moved ahead via Brian Heppler's 42-yard field goal, things looked bleak for WNMU but the Mustangs kept the football in the middle of the field, confident in Hysen's ability to kick their way into a tie. They got the chance and when the senior booted home a 42-yarder the game was tied...for a minute.

The Rams were flagged for roughing the kicker and WNMU took the points off the board and moved half the distance to the goal with an automatic first down. Two unsuccessful passes later, Reischl connected with Chinn in the back of the end zone, and the game was over.

WNMU will hit the road again next week with a trip to Bolivar, MO and a Saturday meeting with Southwest Baptist University. Game time is set for 6pm (MDT).