Game 9: #16 ANGELO STATE RAMS (6-2, 4-2 LSC) vs. #8 CENTRAL WASHINGTON WILDCATS (7-1, 6-0 LSC)
Saturday, Nov. 1, 8 p.m. CT, Ellensburg, Washington – Steve Hertling Field at Tomlinson Stadium
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The No. 16 Angelo State football team will travel to Ellensburg, Washington, to take on No. 8 Central Washington in another high-stakes LSC Clash on Saturday, November 1.

LAST TIME OUT:
The Rams tacked on a second straight win after defeating Sul Ross State by a final score of 62-0 on the road in Alpine, Texas last Saturday night. The 62 points scored matches the most scored since Sep. 23, 2023 when the Rams matched the total against Western New Mexico.

Jayden Jones exploded with three touchdowns and 113 yards on 18 carries in the first half. The depth had its opportunities to shine in the second half as Ayden Arp took over at quarterback and was 9/11 passing for 127 yards and three touchdowns. Furthermore, Israel Kaloso and Ashton Dickens saw more carries as Kaloso rushed for 94 yards while Dickens scored his first collegiate touchdown.

SERIES HISTORY: Angelo State vs. Central Washington
All-Time Series: 3-1, ASU
Last Meeting: Nov. 2, 2024 (San Angelo, Texas – ASU, 17-16)
Every game of the series between the Rams and Wildcats has proven to be high stakes with each decided by 10 points or less. ASU earned a road victory in 2021, scoring in the final minute of the game to win 14-9, and won at home in 2022, claiming the LSC title with a 22-12 win. The Wildcats notched their first win at home in 2023, holding on to a 27-24 lead after blocking a 54-yard field goal attempt by the Rams with 11 seconds to play. Last season, CWU was able to score a touchdown with 34 seconds left, but a missed extra point attempt sealed a win for the Blue and Gold.

SCOUTING THE WILDCATS:

• The Wildcats enter the weekend 7-1 overall with a perfect 6-0 record in Lone Star Conference play.
• Last week, CWU continued its nine-game winning streak against DII opponents in the regular season after defeating Midwestern State 56-13 in Wichita Falls.
• Central Washington boasts the best offense in the Lone Star Conference, scoring 45.8 points per game.
• The ground game has been CWU's bread and butter, led by junior quarterback Kennedy McGill, who leads the conference with 736 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He has also tossed 109 total passes, completing 59 for 973 yards with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions.
• Taylor Justice and Ryder Bumgarner round out the three-headed monster with 879 yards and 10 touchdowns combined.
• Defensively, the Wildcats allow just over 18 points and 348.1 total yards this season, both ranking second in the LSC.
• CWU has numerous players across the defensive leaders in the LSC, including Tyler King, who ranks fourth with 7.5 tackles for loss and fourth with 5.5 sacks.
• King Williams and Mika Roberson sit first and third with 10 and 8 deflections, respectively.

RAMS IN THE RANKINGS:
The Rams check in this week at No. 16 in the AFCA and No. 18 in the D2Football and FloCollege polls.

WEEKLY ACCOLADES TO BE PROUD OF:
The Rams lead the Lone Star Conference in weekly accolades as the Blue and Gold have been awarded five 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
• Oct. 20: Alan Dobbins

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 16; eleven interceptions (which ranks eighth in DII) and five forced fumbles.

SPECIAL TEAM SHINE:
Special Teams have proven to be difference makers as the Rams sit fourth in the country in blocked kicks with six.

RAMS ON THE RUN:
Five players have recorded over 100 rushing yards for the Rams this season, including Cameron Dischler (449 yards, 3 TD), Jayden Jones (393 yards, 4 TD), Kaeden Smith (306 yards, 3 TD), Chad Pharis (142 yards, 2 TD) and Israel Kaloso (117 yards).

SACKIN' SEAVER
Owen Seaver continues his tear this season as he has recorded 1.63 tackles and almost one sack per game, both leading the LSC and top 10 in the DII in their respective categories.

FORBES FLIPPIN' THE FIELD:
Stefaan Forbes has proven his preseason First-Team punter nod by D2Football as the senior averages 41.5 yards a punt, third in the LSC and 25^th in the nation.
 
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.

QUICK HITS:

• The Rams boast the second-best offense in the LSC, averaging 37.4 points per game.
• On the other side of the ball, the defense sits in third as they give up 18.8 points per game.
• Hunter Wallis and Corey Sandolph are tied for third in the LSC in receiving touchdowns with seven each.
• Xavier Walton is among the nation's leaders with four interceptions.

2025 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
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.