Game 1:
#24 ANGELO STATE RAMS (0-0, 0-0 LSC) vs. FORT HAYS STATE TIGERS (0-0, 0-0 MIAA)
Thursday, Aug. 29, 7 p.m. CST, Hays, Kan. – Lewis Field Stadium
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The Angelo State football team is set to kick off the 2024 campaign on Thursday night as the Rams travel to Hays, Kan., to take on the Tigers of Fort Hays State at 7 p.m. This will be the first of two back-to-back trips the Rams make to Kansas for nonconference play.
 
ASU is coming off a 7-3 overall record from a season ago, finishing third in the Lone Star Conference standings. Heading into this year, the Rams were selected second overall in the LSC Preseason Coaches Poll and 24^th in the AFCA Preseason Top 25.
 
SERIES HISTORY: Angelo State vs. Fort Hays State
All-Time Series: 0-0
Last Meeting: N/A
This will be the first meeting between the Rams and the Tigers.
 
SCOUTING THE TIGERS:

• The Tigers ended the 2023 season with a 7-4 overall record, going 6-4 in the MIAA to finish fifth overall in the conference standings.
• Fort Hays State was picked to finish fifth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, earning 55 points.
• The Tigers are returning 20 of their 22 starters from a season ago, 11 on the offense and nine on the defense.
• Linebacker John Johnson will lead the defense for the Tigers, recording 89 tackles last season while earning D2CCA All-Super Region 3. He was also named to the D2Football.com Elite 100 Watch List.
• FHSU allowed 21.50 points per game in 2023, giving up 300.1 yards of offense per game.
• Quarterback Jack Dawson returns after throwing for 2,832 yards with 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
• The Tigers recorded 33.27 points per game last season, recording 420. Yards per game including 277.09 yards through the air.
• FHSU won five of their last seven games in 2023, dropping the final two games to #11 Central Missouri and Emporia State.

 
THREE RAMS ON D2FOOTBALL.COM ELITE 100 WATCHLIST:
The Rams had three players named to the D2Football.com Elite 100 Watchlist in cornerback Andrew Pitts, offensive lineman Noah Plsek, and place kicker Bradley Larson.
 
#2 IN LSC PRESEASON POLL:
With 260 total points and six first-place votes, the Rams were selected second overall in the LSC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Central Washington was picked first overall while UT Permian Basin came in at three.
 
AFCA PRESEASON TOP 25:
The Rams were selected 24^th overall in the American Football Coaches' Association Preseason Top 25. ASU was one of three LSC schools in the poll with Central Washington at 8^th and UTPB at 21^st.
 
NONCONFERENCE IN KANSAS:
The Rams will play both of their nonconference games in Kansas this season, traveling to Fort Hays State in week one before going to Emporia State on Saturday, Sept. 7.
 
REGIONAL REALIGNMENT PREVIEW:
The NCAA announced a realignment of the football regions starting in 2025 which will move the MIAA into ASU's playoff region.
 
SUCCESS AGAINST THE MIAA:
The Rams have found success against MIAA universities, holding a 26-10-1 combined record. The most recent win against an MIAA opponent came in the 2021 season when the Rams defeated Nebraska – Kearney 20-7 in the second round of the NCAA playoffs.
 
HEAD COACH PROFILE – JEFF GIRSCH
Jeff Girsch enters his sixth season as head coach of the Rams, 11th overall at Angelo State. He has compiled a 40-12 overall record since taking over the program in 2018 after serving as the defensive coordinator. Girsch has led the Rams to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Championship twice while capturing the 2022 Lone Star Conference title.
 
EXPERIENCE AT WIDEOUT:
The Rams return a strong core of receivers with Zorhan Rideaux, Kyle Bradford, and Kel Williams returning for their final seasons. The three have combined for 178 receptions, 2,933 receiving yards, and 17 touchdowns.
 
DUO ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE:
The Rams will have a pair of LSC Offensive Lineman of the Year in the trench this season. Plsek earned the award in 2023 and will be joined by Jacob Long who makes his return to the Rams after playing last season at Duke. Long earned the LSC honor in 2022.
 
RAMS AT HOME IN 2024:
ASU is slated for five home games this season, hosting Eastern New Mexico in the home opener on Sept. 14. The Rams will also welcome in Texas A&M – Kingsville on Oct. 12, Sul Ross State on Oct. 26 for Homecoming, and Central Washington on Nov. 2, before closing out the regular season against West Texas A&M on Nov. 16.
 
QUICK HITS:

• Braeden Fuller will start at quarterback for the Rams after appearing in eight games last season.
• Leading the backfield will be Brayden Wilcox who led ASU with 510 rushing yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry.
• Eric Rascoe returns at linebacker after leading the Rams with 71 tackles.
• Andrew Pitts leads the cornerbacks, returning after collecting 40 tackles and four interceptions last season.
• Owen Seaver will be key for ASU's defensive line, collecting 7.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in 2023.