RV ANGELO STATE RAMS (4-1, 1-1 LSC) at WEST TEXAS A&M (1-3, 0-2 LSC)
Saturday, Oct. 9, 7 p.m. CST – Buffalo Stadium – Canyon, Texas
Radio: 101.9 KWFR
Live Video: lonestarconferencenetwork.com/asu
Live Stats: angelostats.com
 
After putting together the most complete game of the season against Western New Mexico last week, the Angelo State football team will try to remain undefeated on the road as they travel to West Texas A&M for a Lone Star Conference clash on Saturday.
 
LAST WEEK:
The Rams tallied their first win at home and the first LSC win of the season against the Mustangs last Saturday, defeating WNMU 62-3 in a dominant performance. Angelo State finished with 629 yards of total offense with eight touchdowns. Hagen Garvin earned his second win in as many starts for the Rams, tossing four touchdowns on 11-of-16 passing while freshman running back Kason Philips led the team with 125 rushing yards and two touchdowns. For the second week in a row, the Rams' defense did not allow a touchdown, holding the Mustangs to only a field goal late in the fourth quarter.
 
SERIES HISTORY: Angelo State vs. West Texas A&M
All-Time Series: The Rams lead the all-time series 19-14
Last Meeting: Oct. 24, 2020: WT, 34-27 – Canyon, Texas
The Rams hold the advantage in the all-time series against the Buffs, winning five of the last seven matchups. During the shortened 2020 season, the Rams and Buffs met twice with each team taking a win at home. WT won the most recent contest, taking a 34-27 victory at Buffalo Stadium after breaking off a 50-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter.
 
SCOUTING WEST TEXAS A&M:
The Buffs hold a 2-3 overall record heading into the matchup against Angelo State. WT is 1-1 in Lone Star Conference play, losing to UT Permian Basin 42-31, and defeating Western New Mexico 42-14. The Buffs opened the season against NAIA member Texas College, picking up a decisive 73-0 victory over the Steers. The other two losses for WT came against No. 5 ranked Colorado School of Mines, losing 21-13, and a 41-38 road loss to Western Oregon last week.
 
WT holds the 25^th ranked offense in all of Division II, averaging 454.2 yards of offense per game. The Buffs rank 22^nd in rushing offense (212.2 yards per game) and are 16^th in scoring with an average of 39.4 points per game. WT is first in the LSC in offense but ranks fifth defensively, allowing 364.2 yards per game with 17 touchdowns on the year.
 
Khalil Harris leads the Buffs and the LSC in rushing yards with 522 yards, averaging 104.4 yards per game, narrowly edging out ASU's Nathaniel Omayebu III at 104 yards per game. Quarterback Nick Gerber sits third in the LSC in passing yards (1,187) and touchdowns (9), while Noah Bogardus ranks four in receiving yards with 309.
 
QUICK HITS:
STOPPING THE RUN:
After giving up 44 yards on the ground against Western New Mexico, the Rams have allowed only 287 rushing yards in five games which is the lowest amongst all LSC teams. They also rank ninth overall in all of Division II in rushing yards allowed.
 
RANKINGS BY D2FOTTBALL.COM:
While receiving votes in the AFCA Coaches Poll, the Rams holding the 17^th overall rank in D2Football.com's Top 25 poll.
 
SWEEPING WEEKLY HONORS:
The Rams earned all three Lone Star Conference Player of the Week accolades this week with Hagen Garvin taking Offensive, Eric Rascoe named Defensive, and Andrew Pitts earning Special Teams. Garvin threw four touchdown passes, Rascoe collected 10 tackles and a sack, while Pitts collected 166 punt return yards, including a long of 80 yards.
 
RUNNING PAST THE OPPOSITION:
The Rams lead the LSC in rushing offense with an average of 230.8 yards per game. They also rank 13^th in Division II while Nathaniel Omayebu III is 21^st overall among all running backs in yards per game.
 
OFFENSIVE NOTES:
-The Rams average the fourth-most yards of offense in the LSC with 223.2 yards per game and are also fourth in points with 32.2.
-Omayebu is fourth in the conference in all-purpose yards while Kellen Pachot ranks eighth.
-Pachot is second in the LSC in receiving with 359 yards in five games with three touchdowns
-Asa Fuller is fifth in the league in scoring with 33 points so far.
 
DEFENSIVE NOTES:
-Josh Quinton collected an interception against Western Mexico, giving the Rams their fourth pick of the season which ranks tied for second in the LSC.
-The Rams are giving up the second-fewest overall yards in the conference, allowing 262.2 total yards of offense.
-Daron Allman is seventh in the league in tackles for loss with seven on the season.