Game 3: #6 ANGELO STATE RAMS (3-0, 1-0 LSC) vs. WESTERN NEW MEXICO MUSTANGS (1-2, 0-1 LSC)
Saturday, Sept. 20, 6 p.m. CT, San Angelo, Texas – LeGrand Stadium at 1^st Community Credit Union Field
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The sixth-ranked Angelo State football team returns home to host Western New Mexico for Family Day on Saturday, Sept. 20 at LeGrand Stadium at 1^st Community Credit Union Field.

GAME THEME: Family Day! Concession Family Bundle: 4 Hotdogs & 4 Chips (excluding Pringles) for $24!
 
LAST TIME OUT:
The Rams capitalized on two turnovers and a perfectly executed onside kick to build a commanding 17-point lead by halftime against Eastern New Mexico. Despite a late surge from the Greyhounds, the Rams held firm to secure a 31-20 victory. Chad Pharies led the ground game with 77 of the team's 145 rushing yards and found the end zone twice. Zeek Freeman added a highlight-reel moment, returning a kickoff for a touchdown—the first such score in the Lone Star Conference this season.

SERIES HISTORY: Angelo State vs. Western New Mexico
All-Time Series: 7-2, ASU
Last Meeting: Sept. 21, 2024 (Silver City, N.M. – ASU, 21-0
The Rams blanked the Mustangs on the road last season in a relatively low scoring affair. Braeden Fuller tossed for 222 yards and two touchdowns while also leading the Blue and Gold in rushing with 74 yards and a third touchdown on the night. The defense limited the WNMU offense to 159 total yards and forced two turnovers to complete the victory.
 
SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS:

• The Mustangs enter the week with a 1-2 record, falling to West Texas A&M, 28-7, in their LSC opener at home.
• WNMU was selected to finish ninth overall in the LSC Preseason Poll.
• The Mustangs are averaging 488.7 yards per game, scoring 39.0 points per game.
• Defensively, WNMU is giving up an average of 49.33 points in the first three games of the season, allowing 543.3 yards of offense.
• Connor Ackerley leads the LSC in numerous passing categories including attempts (118), yards (1,080) and touchdowns (13)
• Cole Lalama and Diego Diaz lead WNMU's defense with 15 tackles each on the season.

IN THE RANKINGS:
The Rams moved up in the rankings in all polls for the third week in a row as both the AFCA and D2Football.com listed the Rams at No. 6 in the Top 25.
 
LONE STAR CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
The Rams picked up two Lone Star Conference weekly honors last week, with Owen Seaver named Defensive Player of the Week after leading the team with eight tackles, including three for loss, two sacks and a fumble recovery. Zeek Freeman earned Special Teams Player of the Week after returning a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown.
 
ATOP THE TAKEAWAYS:
Jeff Girch's defense has been no stranger to forcing turnovers, as the Rams currently sit atop the country in turnovers forced with 10; six interceptions and four forced fumbles.

RAMS ON THE RUN:
Four players have recorded over 100 rushing yards for the Rams this season including Chad Pharis (142 yards, 2TD), Jayden Jones (136 yards), Kaeden Smith (130 yards, TD) and Cameron Dischler (125 yards, 2TD)
 
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:

• Xavier Walton leads the LSC in passes defended with five.
• Owen Seaver is tied amongst the conference sacks leaders with two.
• ASU has the best passing efficiency in the LSC at 205.7.
• The Rams are atop the conference in kickoff returns, averaging 29.8 yards per return.
• ASU has recorded the most sacks in the conference with six.