Game 9:
RV ANGELO STATE RAMS (6-2, 6-0 LSC) vs. #17 CENTRAL WASHINGTON WILDCATS (6-2, 5-1 LSC)
Saturday, Nov. 2, 6 p.m. CT, San Angelo, Texas – LeGrand Stadium at 1^st Community Credit Union Field
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For the first time this season, Angelo State will play back-to-back home games as the Rams welcome in 17^th-ranked Central Washington for a key Lone Star Conference matchup on Saturday, Nov. 2 at LeGrand Stadium at 1^st Community Credit Union Field.
 
The Rams currently lead the LSC with a perfect 6-0 conference record while the Wildcats are just one game back, tied for second with a 5-1 record in league play.
 
GAME THEME: Military Appreciation
 
LAST TIME OUT:                                                                                                                                                            
The Rams celebrated Homecoming with a big win over Sul Ross State, defeating the Lobos 57-10 in their first meeting since 1975. Linebacker Eric Rascoe returned an interception for a touchdown for ASU's first points of the game. Cameron Dischler ran for two touchdowns while catching a 27-yard pass for his third score. Jayden Jones also ran for two touchdowns while the defense collected two turnovers and limited the Lobos to 173 yards of total offense.
 
SERIES HISTORY: Angelo State vs. Central Washington
All-Time Series: 2-1, ASU
Last Meeting: Sept. 16, 2023 (Ellensburg, Wash.) – CWU 27-24
The Rams and Wildcats have met in each of the last three seasons with all three games being decided by 10 points or less. ASU earned a road victory in 2021, scoring in the final minute of the game to win 14-9, and won at home in 2022, claiming the LSC title with a 22-12 win. The Wildcats notched their first win at home last season, holding on to a 27-24 lead after blocking a 54-yard field goal attempt by the Rams with 11 seconds to play.
 
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS:

• The Wildcats enter the weekend with a 6-2 overall record, going 5-1 in conference play.
• Their only losses of the season are against FCS member San Diego (26-7) and a 14-13 loss to UT Permian Basin.
• CWU ranks second in the LSC in offense with 30.8 points per game and 416.4 yards per game while defensively, the Wildcats are allowing the fewest yards per game (226.6) and the second-fewest points (13.0).
• The Wildcats have rushed for 2,000 yards this season with running back Tyler Flanagan totaling 667 yards on the ground while collecting the second-most rushing touchdowns with 10.
• CWU's defense has allowed the fewest passing yards this season, holding opponents to an average of 129 passing yards per game.
• Safety Tanner Volk is tied for second in the conference in interceptions with four while defensive end Chase Loidhamer is tied for second in sacks with 4.5.
• Quarterback Kennedy McGill leads the conference in efficiency at 153.9, throwing for 1,216 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. McGill is also second in the conference in rushing yards with 761 and is third in rushing touchdowns with eight. He is averaging 247.1 yards of offense per game which leads the LSC.
• The Wildcats rank first in the conference in 3^rd-down conversions, converting 59 percent.

 
ATOP THE LSC STANDINGS:
With Western Oregon taking a loss last weekend, the Rams are now alone at the top of the conference standings as the only remaining undefeated team in league play. Central Washington and Western Oregon are tied for second with a conference record of 5-1. The Rams will face the Wolves the following week while CWU and WOU play in the final week of the regular season.
 
FULL(ER) HOUSE:
Braeden Fuller has been responsible for 15 touchdowns in his last four games. He ranks third in the conference in passing yards (1,459), fourth in passing touchdowns (10), and is tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns with six on the season. Fuller is averaging 224.9 total yards of offense which is third in the LSC while holding the second-best efficiency rating at 140.9.
 
OUTSCORING THE OPPOSITION:
During the six-game win streak, the Rams have outscored opponents 222 to 44 and are averaging 390.8 total yards of offense while giving up only 7.3 points per game and 233.8 yards.
 
DEFENDING THE PYLONS:
The Rams are allowing only 10.3 points per game this season with two shutouts. They lead the Lone Star in points allowed and rank sixth overall in Division II. ASU has also allowed the second-fewest yards per game in the conference (253.8) which ranks 15^th in Division II.
 
BALL HAWKIN:
ASU's defense extended its interception streak against the Lobos, picking off opponents at least once in each game this season. The Rams have now recorded at least one interception in 10 of their last 11 games going back to last season. ASU holds the conference lead in interceptions with 11.
 
CHANGING POSSESSION:
ASU's defense has collected 18 turnovers this season, ranking 10th in Division II, and has the fourth-best turnover margin in the country at plus-1.50. The Rams are holding opponents to a 3^rd down conversion percentage of .269, the 9^th-lowest average in Division II, and have allowed 108 first downs all season which is 11^th in Division II.
 
PUNTER PROWESS:
Cade Fuller ranks third in the country in punting, averaging 46.1 yards per punt which leads the Lone Star. Fuller is currently 7^th in Division II's active leaders with a career average of 41.6 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
 
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 leader in all NCAA divisions, Pitts has recorded an interception in five of seven games played this season, earning his 21^st overall against Texas A&M – Kingsville.
 
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 46-14 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 have recorded the second most sacks in the LSC with 20 on the season.
• Andrew Pitts is averaging nine yards per punt return which is the second most in the LSC.
• Brayden Wilcox is averaging 53.1 all-purpose yards per game which is 24^th in the conference.
• With 68 tackles this season, Kenton Allen is tired the fifth in the LSC.
• Dylan Neeley is second in the conference in sacks with 4.5 and is fifth in tackles for loss with 8.
• The Rams have allowed only 13 red zone appearances by opponents this season, tied for the fewest in the conference.
• ASU has five players that have rushed for at least 100 yards this season.
• Kel Williams leads the Rams with 24 receptions followed by Hunter Wallis with 16. Both have caught three touchdown passes this season.
• Cameron Dischler has collected four touchdowns in the last two games, rushing for three.