Game 5: #5 ANGELO STATE RAMS (4-0, 2-0 LSC) vs. #9 UT PERMIAN BASIN FALCONS (4-0, 2-0 LSC)
Saturday, Oct. 4, 6 p.m. CT, San Angelo, Texas – LeGrand Stadium at 1^st Community Credit Union Field
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Coming off a bye, the fifth-ranked Angelo State football team now have eyes set for Saturday, Oct. 4  when the Rams host a top-10 matchup against UT-Permian Basin at LeGrand Stadium at 1^st Community Credit Union Field.

GAME THEME: Breast Cancer Awareness
 
LAST TIME OUT:
The Rams utilized a 21-point second quarter and a 28-point second half to take down Western New Mexico 56-27 back on Sept. 20. Kaeden Smith tossed five touchdown passes to five different targets; finding Corey Sandolph, Hunter Wallis and Donny Bishop before providing Trevor Winn and Alon Dobbins with their first career touchdown grabs in the second half. Shamareon "Bobo" McKinnon was named Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Week after grabbing an interception and returned it for a touchdown in the third quarter, extending the Rams' streak of interceptions in a game with 19.

SERIES HISTORY: Angelo State vs. UT-Permian Basin
All-Time Series: 7-1, ASU
Last Meeting: Oct. 5, 2024 (Midland, Texas – ASU, 36-7)
After a scoreless first quarter, the Rams rushed for 168 yards to defeat the Falcons. Braeden Fuller ran for 146 yards highlighted by an 86-yard touchdown run. The defense did as it does as they got two sacks and five tackles for loss. Nathan Morcom forced a fumble and Andrew Pitts got a pick to extend the interception streak to eight games to that point.
 
SCOUTING THE FALCONS:

• The Falcons enters the week with a perfect 4-0 record, most recently utilizing a 24-point second quarter to take care of Midwestern State last Saturday.
• UT-Permian Basin is ranked in all major polls including No. 7 according to D2Football and No 9 according to the AFCA and FloCollege.
• Kanon Gibson pilots a Falcons offense that sits fourth in the Lone Star Conference, averaging 38.8 points per game while the junior West Texas A&M transfer has tossed for 848 yards and 8 touchdowns.
• On the other side of the ball, their defense ranks atop the conference allowing 16.5 points per game led by junior linebacker Tristan Exline who has registered 33 tackles, 6.5 for loss, three sacks and an interception.

IN THE RANKINGS:
This week saw the Rams break into the top five in the AFCA and FloCollege polls while they remain No. 6 in the D2Football.
 
WEEKLY ACCOLADES TO BE PROUD OF:
Despite the bye, the Rams continue to lead the Lone Star Conference in weekly accolades as the Blue and Gold have been awarded four total:
LSC Defensive Player of the Week

• Sept. 8         Demetrias Charles
• Sept. 15       Owen Seaver
• Sept. 22       Shamareon "Bobo" McKinnon

LSC Special Teams Player of the Week

• Sept. 15       Zeek Freeman

ATOP THE TAKEAWAYS:
Jeff Girch's defense has been no stranger to forcing turnovers, as the Rams currently sit among the nation leaders in turnovers forced with 12; seven interceptions and five forced fumbles.

RAMS ON THE RUN:
Four players have recorded over 100 rushing yards for the Rams this season including Cameron Dischler (199 yards, 3 TD), Jayden Jones (199 yards, 1 TD), Chad Pharis (142 yards, 2 TD) and Kaeden Smith (155 yards, TD).
 
HEAD COACH PROFILE – JEFF GIRSCH
Jeff Girsch recorded his 50^th career win as head coach to open the season, becoming the fastest coach in program history to reach that milestone. He holds a career winning percentage of .769 and has been selected as the LSC Coach of the Year three times in his career, most recently in 2024. Prior to being named head coach, Girsch spent five years as the defensive coordinator for the Rams.
 
FULLER EARNS PRESEASON POTY:
Quarterback Braeden Fuller was selected as the Lone Star Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. A 2024 Harlon Hill Award Finalist and the 2024 OPOTY for the conference, Fuller led the conference in passing yards (2,318) and touchdowns (19). He also added 10 rushing touchdowns and 678 yards on the ground.
 
THREE RAMS ON D2FOOTBALL.COM ELITE 100 WATCHLIST:
The Rams had three players named to the D2Football.com Elite 100 Watchlist. Newcomer Stefaan Forbes was named First-Team punter while defensive end Owen Seaver was selected Second-Team Defense and Fuller was named to the Offensive Squad.
 
PICKED TO REPEAT IN LSC PRESEASON POLL:
Totaling 292 points and 23 first-place votes, the Rams were selected first overall in the LSC Preseason Poll. Rounding out the top three were Central Washington at two and UT Permian Basin at three.
 
QUICK HITS:

• Saturday will mark the first top 10 match up for ASU since the Rams faced off against Colorado School of Mines in the quarterfinals of the 2023 playoffs.
• Corey Sandolph is second in the LSC with four touchdown receptions.
• Xavier Walton is tied atop the conference in interceptions with three.
• Jeremiah McNeeley is tied among three others in the conference with two fumbles forced.
• Owen Seaver is third in the conference with 3.5 sacks.