Game 7:
RV ANGELO STATE RAMS (4-2, 4-0 LSC) vs. MIDWESTERN STATE MUSTANGS (3-3, 2-2 LSC)
Saturday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m. CT, Wichita Falls, Texas – Memorial Stadium
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Angelo State will take its four-game win streak on the road this weekend, facing off against Midwestern State on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Memorial Stadium. The Rams look to go 5-0 in Lone Star Conference play for the second time under Head Coach Jeff Girsch.
 
LAST TIME OUT:
The Rams had a triumphant return home last weekend, defeating Texas A&M – Kingsville 38-0 on Family Day in their first home game since Sept. 14. Quarterback Braeden Fuller had a career night, throwing for 332 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for another. Kel Williams caught two passes for touchdowns while Kenton Allen finished with a game-high 12 tackles as the Rams gave the Javelinas their first conference loss of the season.
 
SERIES HISTORY: Angelo State vs. Midwestern State
All-Time Series: 16-10, MSU
Last Meeting: Nov. 4, 2023 – ASU, 27-12
The Mustangs hold the edge over the Rams in the all-time series, 16-10, while ASU has won three of the last four meetings. Midwestern State is 9-4 at Memorial Stadium against the Rams with the last home victory coming during the 2018 season, 57-36. During the 2022 season, the Rams earned a 37-19 win on the road against the Mustangs on their way to claiming the LSC title that season.
 
SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS:

• The Mustangs hold a 3-3 overall record heading into Saturday's game, going 2-2 in conference play.
• MSU opened the season with a win over Missouri Southern, 18-11, and has earned conference wins over Eastern New Mexico and Sul Ross State.
• Saturday will be Midwestern State's Homecoming game.
• The Mustangs rank in the middle of the conference in points (23.8) and points allowed (25.3).
• MSU ranks fourth in the LSC in passing yards per game at 189.2.
• Wideout Demonte Greene ranks seventh in the LSC in receiving yards per game at 50.8.
• Starting the last two games at quarterback, Andrew Knebel has thrown for 483 yards and four touchdowns after moving up to the top spot on the depth chart.
• Larry Donnell leads the Mustangs in tackles with 39 on the season.
• MSU is tied for second in the conference in interceptions with seven on the year.

 
CONFERENCE OUTLOOK:
With five games remaining in the regular season, the Rams are one of two teams that remain undefeated in conference play along with Western Oregon (4-2, 4-0). Central Washington and TAMUK are both 3-1 in conference after taking losses last week.
 
RAMS TALLY TWO LSC WEEKLY HONORS (AGAIN):
For the second week in a row, the Rams collected two LSC Player of the Week after their 38-0 win over the Javelinas. Fuller was selected as the Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week and third time this season after throwing career-highs in touchdowns (4) and yards (332). Cade Fuller was named the Special Teams Player of the Week after averaging 49.9 yards per punt on eight attempts, kicking a long of 71 yards.
 
FULLER TO THE ENDZONE:
Braeden Fuller has been responsible for 12 touchdowns in his last three games. He ranks third in the conference in passing touchdowns with eight and is tied for sixth in rushing touchdowns with five on the season. He is averaging five points from touchdowns per game which is the ninth most in the conference.
 
DEFENDING THE PYLONS:
The Rams are allowing only 10.8 points per game this season with two shutouts. They lead the Lone Star in points allowed and rank seventh overall in Division II. ASU has also allowed the second-fewest yards per game in the conference (269.3) which ranks 20^th in Division II.
 
NEW INTERCEPTION CROWN:
Andrew Pitts recorded his 19^th career interception against Western New Mexico, setting a new program record for the Rams for interceptions in a career. The active career leading in all NCAA divisions, Pitts has recorded an interception in every game he's played this season, earning his 21^st overall against the Javelinas.
 
BALL HAWKIN:
ASU's defense extended its interception streak against the Javelinas, picking off opponents at least once in each game this season. The Rams have now recorded at least one interception in eight of their last nine games going back to last season. They lead the Lone Star with eight interceptions this season.
 
CHANGING POSSESSION:
ASU's defense has collected 14 turnovers this season, ranking 9^th in Division II, and has the second-best turnover margin in the country at plus-1.83. The Rams are holding opponents to a 3^rd down conversion percentage of .253, the 8^th-lowest average in DII.
 
SHIELDING THE BALL:
The Rams have allowed only three turnovers this season, ranking sixth in Division II in turnovers allowed. ASU is one of four teams this season not to throw an interception, giving up only three fumbles through the first six games.
 
PUNTER PROWESS:
Cade Fuller ranks third in the country in punting, averaging 46.2 yards per punt which leads the Lone Star. Fuller is currently 7^th in Division II's active leaders with a career average of 41.5 yards per punt.

LONE STAR CONFERENCE WEEKLY HONORS:
Offensive Player of the Week:
Sept. 23 | Braeden Fuller – 23-of-38, 222 passing yards, 2 TDs; 74 rushing yards, 1 TD
Oct. 7 | Braeden Fuller – 9-of-15, 112 passing yards, 1 TD; 154 rushing yards, 3 TDs
Oct. 12 | Braeden Fuller – 18-of33, 332 passing yards, 4 TDs; 1 rushing TD
 
Defensive Player of the Week
Oct. 7 | Kenton Allen – 12 tackles, 10 solo, FR, TD
 
Special Teams Player of the Week
Oct. 12 | Cade Fuller – 49.9 yards per punt, 8 punts, long of 71
 
 HEAD COACH PROFILE – JEFF GIRSCH
Jeff Girsch enters his sixth season as head coach of the Rams, 11th overall at Angelo State. He has compiled a 44-14 overall record since taking over the program in 2018 after serving as the defensive coordinator. Girsch has led the Rams to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Championship in 2021 and 2022 while claiming the 2022 Lone Star Conference title.
 
THREE RAMS ON D2FOOTBALL.COM ELITE 100 WATCHLIST:
The Rams had three players named to the D2Football.com Elite 100 Watchlist, cornerback Andrew Pitts, offensive lineman Noah Plsek, and placekicker Bradley Larson.
 
#2 IN LSC PRESEASON POLL:
With 260 total points and six first-place votes, the Rams were selected second overall in the LSC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Central Washington was picked first overall while UT Permian Basin came in at three.
 
RAMS AT HOME IN 2024:
ASU is slated for five home games this season, hosting Eastern New Mexico in the home opener on Sept. 14. The Rams will also welcome in Texas A&M – Kingsville on Oct. 12, Sul Ross State on Oct. 26 for Homecoming, and Central Washington on Nov. 2, before closing out the regular season against West Texas A&M on Nov. 16.
 
QUICK HITS:

• The Rams rank fifth in the LSC in passing yards per game at 183.2.
• ASU has the highest kickoff return average in the LSC at 27.4 yards per return.
• The Rams have recorded 14 sacks this season which ranks third overall in the Lone Star.
• ASU has recovered six fumbles this season which is the most in the LSC and 8^th in DII.
• ASU is allowing the second-fewest 1^st downs in the conference at 14.5 per game.
• Fuller is third in the LSC in QB efficiency (129.1) and passing yards per game (167.2).
• Williams is tied for 5^th in the conference in receiving TDs (3) and seventh in receptions (21).
• Zeek Freeman is averaging 16.8 yards per reception which is sixth in the LSC.
• Pitts leads Division II in interceptions with five and leads the LSC in pass breakups with nine.
• Averaging 10.6 yards per punt return, Pitts ranks second in the LSC.
• Brayden Wilcox is averaging 61 all-purpose yards per game which is 20^th in the LSC.
• Allen is third overall in the LSC in tackles with 58 on the season.
• Dylan Neeley is fifth in the conference in sacks (3.5) and seventh in TFLs (six).
• Xavier Walton leads the LSC in fumbles recovered with two on the year.
• Fuller has the longest rushing play this season in the LSC with an 86-yard run against UTPB.