ANGELO STATE RAMS (1-0) at WEST TEXAS A&M BUFFALOES (1-2)
Saturday, Oct. 24, 6 p.m.  – Buffalo Stadium – Canyon, Texas
Radio: 101.9 KWFR
Live Video: Lone Star Digital Network
The Rams will look to bounce back this weekend as they travel for a rematch with Lone Star Conference rival West Texas A&M at Buffalo Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 24.
 
Angelo State enters the weekend with a 1-1 record after falling to Division I Stephen F. Austin last Saturday 31-12. The Buffs hold a 1-2 record and have had the last three weeks off, playing their last game on Oct. 3, a 34-6 loss to SFA.
 
REVIEW AGAINST THE LUMBERJACKS:
Despite the score, the Rams defense played very well against Stephen F. Austin, holding the Lumberjacks to only eight first downs and 280 yards of total offense. SFA capitalized on two big pass plays, scoring on a 90-yard pass and a 76-yard pass. Special teams was an issue for the rams last weekend, giving up a punt return for a score and muffing another punt that led to an easy touchdown for the Lumberjacks.
 
Offensively, the Rams finished 381 yards, including a season-high 192 yards on the ground. Alfred Grear led ASU with 81 yards off of 10 carries, scoring on a 34-yard run for his second touchdown of the season. Behind him was Nathaniel Omayebu with 66 yards while quarterback Zach Bronkhorst added 45 yards rushing. Bronkhorst also threw for 189 yards off of 22 completions while connecting on his first touchdown pass to tight end Cason Brown. Austin Landry was one of five receivers to catch three passes in the game, leading with 43 receiving yards.
 
SECOND TIME AROUND:
Saturday's game marks the second time these squads will meet this season after Angelo State opened up the season with a 21-10 win over the Buffs back on Sept. 26. After allowing an early touchdown, ASU's defense locked down, holding West Texas to only a field goal for the remainder of the game. The Rams scored three rushing touchdowns, all coming from different backs while Omayebu and Carl Odom finished with 76 and 74 yards respectively. In his first start, Bronkhorst finished with 178 yards and a completion percentage of 64 percent.
 
For the Buffs, Nick Gerber completed 19-of-33 passing for 205 yards and a touchdown while also throwing one interception. On the ground, Brandon Blair netted a team-high 31 yards rushing while two other backs ran for 20-plus yards.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES:
The Rams lead the all-time series over the Buffs 19-13 and currently hold a two-game win streak after their opening season victory. Angelo State will also be going for its second straight win in Buffalo Stadium, after edging out WT 17-14 a season ago. West Texas last won against ASU during the 2018 campaign, picking up a 26-18 win in San Angelo.
 
GROUND AND POUND:
Angelo State has been consistent on the ground, rushing for over 175 yards in each contest this season. Omayebu leads the team with 141 yards and a score while Alfred has tallied two touchdowns as 89 yards on the ground. Odom has also added 91 yards, but missed the second half against SFA after an injury. The Rams have made 30 more rushing attempts as a team compared to the passing game and average just under the same number of yards per game, 185 yards compared to 191.5 passing.
 
BALL HAWKS:
The defensive backs for the Rams have three interceptions this season, taking one away against WT and picking off two passes against the Lumberjacks. Leddy French II, DeShaun Douglas, and Devin Washington have each tallied one interception.
 
DEFENSIVE LEADERS:
Linebacker Daron Allman leads the Rams with 14 total tackles followed by Weston Bauer with 13 and Darrick Dickers with 10. Allman has also recorded 2.5 sacks on the season while Weston leads in tackles for loss with four.
 
SPREADING THE BALL:
Bronkhorst has spread the ball around in his first two games, totaling 11 different players with at least one catch. Landry leads the Rams with eight catches at 84 yards on the season while Kellon Pachot has caught seven passes for 78 yards and Rasheen Green has five catches for 42 yards. Brown leads all tight ends with three catches and has the solo receiving touchdown for ASU.
 
SCOUTING WEST TEXAS:
The Buffs are riding a two-game losing streak after opening the season with a win over Oklahoma Panhandle State. After losing to the Rams, West Texas battled against Stephen F. Austin, losing 34-6 despite putting up solid numbers on the ground. Defensively they struggled, giving up 498 yards to the Lumberjacks.
 
Gerber has thrown for 566 yards this season, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. Devin Neal has been his go-to receiver, catching 10 passes for 162 and a score. On the ground, Brandon Blair and Khalil Harris have both rushed for over 100 yards, collecting 175 and 130 yards respectively. Defensively, nine players have recorded double figures in tackles with Hayden Dennis leading the way with 33 total tackles. The Buffs have recorded two takeaways, one interception and one forced fumble, while recording nine sacks in three games.
 
West Texas is averaging 416 yards per game, 633 yards coming against Oklahoma Panhandle, including 207 yards on the ground and 209 through the air.
 
GAME COVERAGE:
Saturday's contest will be streamed on the Lone Star Conference Digital Network for $10. Fans can also tune in to 101.9 KWFR to listen to the game. Live Stats will also be provided at angelostats.com. Visit angelosports.com for more information.
 
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Rams will play their final game of the 2020 fall season on Nov. 7 as they travel to Abilene Christian for their second game against a Division I FCS opponent.