Game 3:
ANGELO STATE RAMS (0-2, 0-0 LSC) vs. EASTERN NEW MEXICO GREYHOUNDS (2-0, 0-0 LSC)
Saturday, Sept. 14, 6 p.m. CT, San Angelo, Texas – LeGrand Stadium at 1^st Community Credit Union Field
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The Angelo State football team will play in front of a home crowd for the first time this season as the Rams welcome in Eastern New Mexico on Saturday to begin Lone Star Conference action.
 
GAME THEME: Blue Out! Fans are encouraged to wear blue to Saturday's game against the Greyhounds.
 
WATCH LIVE ON FLOSPORTS:
Beginning at the start of the 2024-25 season, the Lone Star Conference and FloSports entered into an exclusive five-year media rights agreement, making FloSports the new home for all ASU and LSC athletic events. Visit the LSC landing page to sign up for your FloSports subscription.
 
LAST TIME OUT:
The Rams made their second straight trip to Kansas last week, falling in a tight contest to Emporia State, 17-12. Bradley Larson went 4-for-4 in field goal attempts while the Rams collected 368 offensive yards with 239 yards on the ground. ASU's defense held the Hornets to 30 rushing yards and had two interceptions. In his first game back, Andrew Pitts recorded a team-high nine tackles with a pick and one pass deflection.
 
SERIES HISTORY: Angelo State vs. Eastern New Mexico
All-Time Series: 28-18-1
Last Meeting: Sept. 30, 2023 – ASU, 23-14
This will be the 48^th meeting between the Rams and the Greyhounds with ASU holding a 28-18-1 overall record. The Rams have won the last three matchups, including a 23-14 road victory last season. The Greyhounds have come to San Angelo on 23 occasions with ASU winning 14 of those games. The Rams have held the Greyhounds to 17.79 points per game in the series history.
 

SCOUTING THE GREYHOUNDS:

• The Greyhounds enter the weekend with a 2-0 record, collecting wins over New Mexico Highlands (63-37), and Sul Ross State (36-17).
• After leading the conference in rushing yards last season (285.7 ypg), the Greyhounds have picked up where they left off, averaging 445.5 rushing yards in their first two games.
• Utilizing the triple option, ENMU has only thrown for 11 passes this season with 117 rush attempts.
• The Greyhounds have five rushers with 90 or more yards, including returning quarterback Mario Sanchez who has 164 yards and four touchdowns.
• ENMU ranks seventh in the LSC in defense, allowing 421.5 yards per game.
• Linebacker Matthew Quartieri ranks fifth in the conference in total tackles with a team-high of 15.
• Defensive lineman DJ Moore was selected as the LSC Defensive Player of the Week and leads the LSC with four tackles for loss.
• The Greyhounds were selected to finish seventh overall in the LSC Preseason Coaches' Poll, earning 128 points, while Sanchez and defensive back Micah Lewis were selected to the Preseason Players to Watch list for the conference.

 
KICK IS GOOD:
After putting four field goals through the uprights last week, Bradley Larson is the NCAA Division II active career leader in field goal percentage at .947. He is 18-of-19 in field goal attempts in his career while also converting 39-of-40 PAT attempts. His career field goal percentage is second among all NCAA Divisions.
 
BALL HAWKIN:
With two interceptions last week, ASU's defense has now recorded at least one interception in four of their last five games going back to last season. The Rams are 11^th in Division II in interceptions with three and rank 12^th overall in turnover margin.
 
DEFENDING THE PAYDIRT:
The Rams have allowed only 19 points per game which is the second lowest average in the Lone Star Conference.
 
GROUND CONTROL:
ASU's defense has allowed an average of 52 rushing yards in their first two games which is the lowest in the conference.
 

GETTING OFF THE FIELD:
The Rams rank third overall in first downs allowed with 14 per game and second in opponent 3^rd-down conversions at 26.7 percent.
 
PUNTER PROWESS:
Cade Fuller ranks 11^th in the country in punting, averaging 45.8 yards per punt which leads the Lone Star.
 
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 40-13 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 in 2021 and 2022 while claiming the 2022 Lone Star Conference title.
 
THREE RAMS ON D2FOOTBALL.COM ELITE 100 WATCHLIST:
The Rams had three players named to the D2Football.com Elite 100 Watchlist, 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.
 
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:

• Defensive end Dylan Neeley ranks second in the LSC in tackles for loss with 2.5.
• With 14 tackles each, Kenton Allan and Xavier Walton rank sixth in the conference and lead ASU.
• Larson ranks ninth in the conference in points with 13.
• Kaeden Smith leads the Rams with 131 rushing yards, followed by Brayden Wilcox with 105.
• Jordan McKinney, Eric Rascoe, and Pitts have all recorded an interception this season.