RV ANGELO STATE RAMS (7-2, 3-2 LSC) vs. TEXAS A&M – COMMERCE (6-3, 4-1 LSC)
Saturday, Nov. 6, 6 p.m. CST – San Angelo, Texas – LeGrand Stadium at 1^st Community Credit Union Field
Radio: 101.9 KWFR
Live Video: lonestarconferencenetwork.com/asu
Live Stats: angelostats.com
 
The Angelo State football team will close out the home schedule of the regular season on Saturday, taking on Texas A&M – Commerce as the Rams look for their fourth straight win.
 
LAST WEEK:
The Rams picked up another road win last week, dominating Eastern New Mexico 59-7 for the first win in Portales since the 2015 campaign. ASU totaled 489 yards of total offense while the defense collected four takeaways including three interceptions. Zach Bronkhorst totaled four touchdowns while Nathaniel Omayebu III collected 121 yards on the ground in only nine rushing attempts. The defense held the Greyhounds to 197 total yards, including only 85 yards passing.
 
SERIES HISTORY: Angelo State vs. Texas A&M – Commerce
All-Time Series: The Rams lead the all-time series, 28-21-2
Last Meeting: Nov. 16, 2019: TAMUC, 17-3 – San Angelo, Texas
While the Rams lead the all-time series over the Lions, Texas A&M – Commerce has controlled the series in recent years, winning the last six appearances. The last meeting between these teams came in San Angelo during the 2019 season with the Lions holding the Rams to a field goal in a 17-3 win over ASU. Angelo State last defeated the Lions in 2014, winning 35-33 in Commerce, Texas.
 
SCOUTING TEXAS A&M – COMMERCE:
The Lions come to San Angelo with a 6-3 overall record, holding a 4-1 record in Lone Star Conference play. TAMUC is currently riding a three-game win streak, allowing only three points during that span. The Lions have tallied big wins over No. 12 Colorado State-Pueblo to open the season, a 15-3 victory at West Texas A&M, and defeating UT Permain Basin 41-0 in last week's contest. Midwestern State handed the Lions their first loss of the season, falling 31-30 at home while TAMUC also lost to No. 1-ranked West Florida 35-17, and Saginaw Valley State 20-17 in overtime.
 
Injured for the first part of the season, Mikio Smalls has made a return at quarterback for the Lions, playing in the last four games. The LSC's Offensive Player of the Year in 2019, Smalls has tallied 761 passing yards this season and has thrown for five touchdowns while rushing for three more. Holding a 60 percent completion percentage, he has also given up five interceptions this year.
 
The Lions have the top defense in the Lone Star, allowing only 14.2 points per game. They have given up the fewest yards per game at 220.1. They rank No. 2 in all of Division II in total defense and fourth in passing yards allowed, giving up 118.9 yards per game. The Lions also lead the LSC in total sacks with 38 on the season.
 
Offensively, TAMUC ranks fifth in the LSC in total yards per game with 339.6. They are the fourth-best rushing team in the conference with 1,717 total rushing yards while Antonio Lealiiee is eighth in the conference in total rushing yards with 450 on the season.
 
QUICK HITS:
STOPPING THE RUN:
The Rams now rank third overall in rushing defense in all of Division II, allowing only 66.9 rushing yards per contest. With that, the Rams also rank seventh overall in total defense, allowing 241.3 yards per game.
 
5^th IN D2 REGIONAL RANKINGS:
In Rams remain in the playoff hunt in the latest edition of the NCAA Division II Regional Rankings as ASU remained at No. 5 in Super Region Four.
 
MAKE IT THREE IN A ROW:
The Rams have won their last three games in a row heading into the final home game of the regular season. During that span, ASU has scored 144 points while allowing only 31.
 
2,000 YARD MARK:
With 256 rushing yards against Eastern New Mexico, the Rams have surpassed the 2,000 rushing yard mark, totaling 2,040 yards on the season. They rank 13^th overall in total rushing offense in Division II.
 
TURNOVER MARGIN:
The Rams rank 14^th overall in Division II in turnover margin, collecting an LSC high 13 interceptions. ASU has also tallied four defensive touchdowns, including one in each of the last three games.