The GAME
After a dominant 52-0 win on the road against Western New Mexico last weekend, the Angelo State football team will return home to take on a West Texas A&M team that is on a hot streak and receiving votes in the American Football Coaches Association national poll. The game is homecoming for ASU alumni, kicking off at 4 p.m. at LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field.

West Texas A&M
After a down year that ended with a 3-8 record in 2017, the Buffs have gotten out to a hot start in 2018 under second-year head coach Hunter Hughes. West Texas A&M is 4-2 through the first half of the season, with a strong road win against then-No. 14 Central Washington two weeks ago. The Buffs are 2-1 in the Lone Star Conference this year, with wins over Western New Mexico and UT Permian Basin and a loss to Tarleton State. 

The Series
The Rams own a 17-13 advantage in the series all-time since the two teams first met in 1963. ASU has also won the last three contests between the two teams.  Angelo State is currently riding a three-game win streak against the Buffs, outscoring WT 114-26 in the last three matchups. 

Last meeting
Angelo State dominated West Texas A&M in theiur home finale, putting up 51 points and limiting the Buffs to just three. Both Lawson and Ayo and Keke Chism had six catches in the game, as Ram quarterbacks Jake Faber and Charlie Rotherham combined to throw for 370 yards and four touchdowns. Grant Aschenbeck led the team with 11 tackels. while Markus Jones recorded a sack and a half. 

A look ahead
ASU will head back out on the road next week, but it will be a short trip as they travel to Odessa to take on UT Permian Basin. Right now, the Falcons are 1-5 and 1-3 in conference play with their only win coming against Western New Mexico two weeks ago. The Falcons are averaging 328 yards per game, but scoring just 19 points while giving up 32.17 points per contest. 

Listen In
The game will be broadcasted locally on 101.9 KWFR (The Fire) with Jeremy Bryant and Dr. John Klingemann on the broadcast. Bryant is beginning his 17th season broadcasting ASU football games, while Dr. Klingemann is the chair of the history department and an associate professor at Angelo State. 

Shutout
Last weekend, the Angelo State defense did not allow Western New Mexico to get on the scoreboard at all, shutting the Mustangs out for the full 60 minutes. The game marked the first time ASU had shut out a team since they beat Bacone College 56-0 in 2013 and the first time they shut out an LSC opponent since 2013 when they beat Incarnate Word 7-0. 

In the backfield
Senior defensive lineman Markus Jones is the Division II national leader in tackles for loss this season with 16. The Fort Worth native and LSC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year is averaging 2.7 per game with a season-high of five in the Rams win over Western Oregon to open the year. Jones' six sacks also lead the team, as he has forced opposing teams to lose almost 100 yards this season. 

Top Tacklers
Angelo State senior lineback Grant Aschenbeck is currently six in the nation in total tackles with 72 and his averaging 12 per game. This number also leads the Lone Star Conference. Fellow lineback Hunter Kyle ranks not far behind Aschenbeck in the LSC list, coming in at fifth overall with 56 on the season. 

Pick Party
Angelo State currently leads the Lone Star Conference and ranks No. 4 in the country in passes intercepted with 11. The Rams have picked off multiple passes in the same game four times this season and have nine different players who have picked off a pass this season, including Donavyn Jackson and Hunter Kyle who each have two. One of ASU's interceptions has been returned for a touchdown. The ASU team interception record for a single season is 33, set in 1990. 

Tyrese Time
Angelo State sophomore running back Tyrese Nathan has had a strong first half of the season, ranking fourth in the Lone Star Conference with an average of  94.5 yards per game. ASU's top returning rusher is averaging 4.4 yards per cary on 128 attempts for 567 total yards this season and one touchdown. 

Great Day to be Special
The #BlueMob kickoff coverage team has ranked first in the LSC this season, averaging 41 yards per kickoff this sesaon. Junior captain Connor Flanigan has handled the kicking duties, with six touchbacks on the year. Flanigan also leads the conference with nine field goals mad on the sesaon. 


LSC Recognition
Angelo State junior Larry Johnson was named the Lone Star Conference Special Teams Player of the Week after ripping off an 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Abilene Christian. It is the first LSC honor for Johnson in his career and the second time this season a Ram has received recognition after Hunter Kyle was named LSC Defensive Player of the Week last week.

Our Program
Angelo State has won a total of 425 football games since 1939. The following lists the coaches and record breakdown in Ram football history. Angelo State won the NAIA National Championship in 1978 and has won three Lone Star Conference Championships (1978, 1984, 1987). The Rams have seen five NCAA DII playoff appearances and produced 59 All-Americans. Angelo State has sent 11 student-athletes on to successful NFL careers, including Pierce Holt, who earned two Super Bowl rings with the San Francisco 49ers in 1988 and 1989. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was inducted into the NCAA Division II Football Hall of Fame in 2000. 


427 and Counting
Angelo State has won a total of 425 football games since 1939. The following lists the coaches and record breakdown in Ram football history. 

Pete Sikes    1939-1949    41-23-5
Max Bumgardner    1950-1968    74-74-2
Grant Teaff    1969-1971    19-11
James Cameron    1972-1973    13-7
Jim Hess    1974-1981    65-23-3
Jerry Vandergriff    1982-2004    143-101-2
Dale Carr    2005-2010    28-36
Will Wagner    2012-Present    44-36
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