Game 3:
#8 ANGELO STATE RAMS (2-0, 0-0 LSC) vs. EASTERN NEW MEXICO GREYHOUNDS (0-2, 0-0 LSC)
Saturday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m. CT, Portales, N.M. – Al Whitehead Field
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The eighth-ranked Angelo State football team is set to begin Lone Star Conference action this weekend as the Rams travel to Eastern New Mexico to face the Greyhounds on Saturday.
LAST TIME OUT:
The Rams jumped out early against the Hornets, scoring 20 points in just the first four minutes of the game. ASU's defense recorded four interceptions as the Rams defeated ESU 41-20 in the first home contest of the season.
Kaeden Smith came in during the first quarter, throwing for two touchdowns while running for another.
Hunter Wallis caught both touchdown passes from Smith, while
Corey Sandolph recorded an 80-yard touchdown pass for the first score of the game.
SERIES HISTORY: Angelo State vs. Eastern New Mexico
All-Time Series: 29-18-1, ASU
Last Meeting: Sept. 14, 2024 (San Angelo, Texas – ASU, 26-20
In a close battle at home, the Rams held on to a 26-20 victory last season. ASU scored first before finishing the first half with a 17-13 advantage.
Hunter Wallis found the endzone on an eight-yard pass to extend the lead, while the Greyhounds scored late in the fourth quarter but couldn't overcome the deficit.
SCOUTING THE GREYHOUNDS:
- The Greyhounds enter the week with a 0-2 record, falling to Colorado Mesa, 28-7, in their most recent game.
- ENMU was selected to finish eighth overall in the LSC Preseason Poll.
- The Greyhounds are averaging 348.5 yards per game, scoring 17.5 points per game.
- Defensively, ENMU is giving up an average of 31 points in the first two games of the season, allowing 426.5 yards of offense.
- Chad Ragle ranks third in the LSC in rushing yards per game at 79.5, with one touchdown, and has three passing TDs.
- Matthew Quartieri leads ENMU's defense with 18 tackles on the season.
IN THE RANKINGS:
The Rams moved up in the rankings in all polls for the second week in a row as both the AFCA and D2Football.com listed the Rams at No. 8 in the Top 25.
LSC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
After recording two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, against Emporia State, Demetrius Charles was selected as the LSC Defensive Player of the Week.
BALL HAWKIN:
The Rams recorded four interceptions against Emporia State, with Charles and
Xavier Walton both recording two. The Rams extended their streak and have now recorded at least one pick in each of their last 17 games, dating back to Oct. 28, 2023. ASU leads the country in interceptions this season with five.
SUCCESS ON THE OUTSIDE:
The Rams have four receivers with at least one touchdown this season, as Sandolph leads with six catches, 130 yards, and three touchdowns.
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:
- Marquis Brown leads the LSC in total tackles this season with 18.
- Jayden Jones ranks fifth in the LSC in rushing yards per game at 68.0.
- Walton (4) and Eugene Liger (3) are first and third, respectively, in the conference in passes defended.
- ASU has the best passing efficiency in the LSC at 205.7.
- The Rams rank third in the conference in kickoff returns, averaging 20.3 yards per return.
- ASU has recorded the second-most sacks in the conference with four.
- The Rams are sixth in Division II in takeaways with six.
