SAN ANGELO, Texas – With just about a month of practice under their belts, the Rams are set for their first contest of the season as the Angelo State football team takes on West Texas A&M on Saturday at LeGrand Stadium at 1^st Community Credit Union Field.
 
ASU is coming off an 8-3 season in 2019, finishing third in the Lone Star Conference with a 5-3 record in league play as Head Coach Jeff Girsch earned Co-Coach of the Year honors in his first season at the helm.
 
Defense Ready:
The Rams will be led by their defense this year, returning five starters from the All-Conference team including two First-Team All-LSC honorees in safety Leddy French II and defensive tackle G'Kari McCoy. Angelo State allowed the fewest points last year, giving up only 14.8 points per game.
 
ASU's secondary will look very similar to last season's group that finished third in passing yards allowed with just under 200 yards a game. Led by French, Devin Washington returns at corner along with Derrick Dickerson Jr. at safety, both of which earned Second-Team All-Conference last year.
 
In the middle, Simon Maxey and Josh Quinton return at the linebacker positions after combing for 76 tackles and two sacks last season while McCoy will continue to disrupt the offensive line at the defensive tackle position.
 
New Look Offense:
While defensively the Rams remain similar to a season ago, the offensive will have a much different look heading into Saturday's game. Returning several wide receivers, the Rams will look for Austin Landry to bring in some big performances at the wideout spot, appearing in 11 games last season with 328 yards and four touchdowns. Also returning from injury will be Larry Johnson who managed 335 yards off 19 catches during the 2018 season.
 
The Rams return to starters on the offensive line in A.J. Wozniak and Jake Neal while the backfield will feature a new face at the running back and quarterback positions.
 
Scouting West Texas A&M:
The Buffs have already competed in one game this season, defeating Oklahoma Panhandle State 58-7 last Saturday to begin the season 1-0. OPSU gave up 663 yards of total offense to West Texas who managed 415 yards on the ground. West Texas tallied three first-quarter touchdowns before coasting to an easy opening season victory.
 
West Texas will be led on offense by returning quarterback Nick Gerber who tossed for 2,016 yards and 16 touchdowns while added eight touchdowns on the ground last season. Defensively, Hayden Dennis returns at linebacker after collecting 118 tackles during the 2019 campaign.
 
All-Time Series:
The Rams hold the advantage in the all-time series against the Buffs, holding a 17-13 record. Angelo State held on for a win on the road last season, defeating West Texas 17-14 while the Buffs recorded a 26-18 win in 2018.