RV ANGELO STATE RAMS (11-2) vs. #9 COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES (11-1)
Saturday, Dec. 4, 1 p.m. CST – Golden, Colo. – Marv Kay Stadium
Radio: 101.9 KWFR
Live Video: RMAC Network
Live Stats: angelosports.com
 
The Rams defeated Nebraska-Kearney in the second round of the NCAA DII Championship to advance to the quarterfinals for just the second time in program history. ASU will square off against the top-seeded Colorado School of Mines on Saturday, Dec. 4 for an appearance in the semifinals of the national tournament.
 
LAST WEEK:
The Rams held off one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the country last week, defeating Nebraska – Kearney 20-7 in the second round of the national tournament. Alfred Grear gave the Rams the lead with a 63-yards touchdown run while Zach Bornkhorst connected with Dagen Dunham for another score. Asa Fuller knocked down two field goals while the Rams' defense held the Lopers to 203 total yards of offense.
 
SERIES HISTORY: Angelo State vs. Colorado School of Mines
All-Time Series: Tied 0-0
Last Meeting: This will be the first meeting between these two teams.
 
SCOUTING COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES:
The Orediggers hold the top-seed in Super Region 4, holding an 11-1 overall record on the season. After a first-round bye, CSM made quick work of their second-round opponent, defeating Bemidji State 55-6. During the regular season, the Orediggers picked up big wins over West Texas A&M, winning 21-13, as well as Chadron State and CSU Pueblo. Their only loss of the season came against Colorado Mesa on the road, falling to the Mavericks 26-21. Mines finished the final AFCA Top 25 Poll with the ninth overall ranking.
 
Mines has one of the top defenses in the country in turnovers, ranking fourth in Division II in turnover margin (plus-1.5) and third in scoring defense. The Orediggers are allowing 277.9 yards of offense per game which is 18^th in the country, and are 10^th in stopping the run, giving up only 82.2 yards on the ground per game. Offensively, Mines is the 10^th highest-scoring offense in the country at 39.7 points per game while totaling 409.2 yards of offense.
 
The run game is led by Harlon Hill Award finalist Michael Zeman who ranks ninth overall in Division II in total rushing yards with 1,365 yards and has 20 rushing touchdowns on the year which is the fourth most. John Matocha is the passing leader for the Orediggers, collecting 32 passing touchdowns with only seven interceptions while totaling 2,591 yards passing. Matocha has also been a threat on the ground, running for the second-most yards (391) and adding five rushing touchdowns on the year.
 
Four Mines players have tallied multiple interceptions this season with Kobe Brewster leading the way with four. Gabriel Kortz is the tackler leader with 71 on the season while Nolan Reeve has collected 12.5 tackles for loss with 9.5 sacks on the year.
 
QUICK HITS:
DOMINATING ON DEFENSE:
The Rams hold the sixth-ranked defense in all of Division II, allowing only 244.2 yards of total offense per game. They hold the fifth-best rushing defense while ranking 24^th in the country in passing yards allowed. ASU is also 13^th in scoring defense and seventh in turnover margin.
 
NEARING HISTORY:
With a win on Saturday, the Rams would set a new NCAA DII program record for most wins in a season, and advance to the semifinals for the first time.
 
TAKEAWAY TENDENCIES:
With a plus-1.15 turnover margin, the Rams have tallied eight fumble recoveries on the year and 16 interceptions. Andrew Pitts leads ASU with five interceptions on the year.
 
MAKE IT SEVEN IN A ROW:
With the victory, the Rams have now won seven games in a row, setting a new consecutive win streak in the Division II era.
 
RUNNING PAST THE COMPETITION:
The Rams are averaging 230.3 rushing yards per game which ranks 10^th overall in all of Division II. Three running backs are averaging over 60 yards per game with four backs averaging over five yards per carry.
 
1,000-YARD RUSHER:
Nathaniel Omayebu III has dominated defenses all year long, leading the Rams in yards on the ground while totaling 1,108 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year.
 
ONLY EIGHT REMAIN:
Entering this weekend, only eight Division II programs are still playing. The Rams have made the quarterfinals only one other time in program history, during the 1989 season, which was also the last time the Rams had 11 wins in a season.
 
TOUCHDOWN GENERATOR:
Bronkhorst has been responsible for 26 touchdowns this season, throwing for 17 while rushing for nine others. The two-time LSC Offensive Player of the Week has tallied the second-most rushing touchdowns for the Rams.
 
SUPER REGION 4 HONORS:
Angelo State tallied six players on the All-Super Region 4 Team, as Omayebu and Willis Patrick were named First-Team Offense while Hunter Kyle was selected First-Team Defense. Leddy French II, Daron Allman, and G'Karri McCoy were named Second-Team Defense as well.