Game 11: ANGELO STATE RAMS (4-6, 4-4 LSC) at WESTERN NEW MEXICO MUSTANGS (3-7, 2-6 LSC)
Saturday, Nov. 14, 1 p.m. CT, Silver City, New Mexico – Ben Altamirano Field
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THE MATCHUP
The Angelo State University football team will close the 2026 season with a road trip to the Land of Enchantment to take on Western New Mexico at Ben Altamirano Field on Saturday, Nov. 14.

Saturday will be the 11^th match between the Rams and Mustangs. Western New Mexico won the first two matchups in 2004 and 2016 before the Blue and Gold took of on a eight-game winning stream to gain a 8-2 advantage in the series.

SERIES HISTORY: Angelo State vs. Western New Mexico
All-Time Series: ASU, 8-2
Last Meeting: Sep. 20, 2025 (San Angelo, Texas – ASU, 56-27)

LAST TIME OUT
Last week, the Rams battled the elements of inclement weather all-game long to close the home schedule with a 20-7 victory against Eastern New Mexico at LeGrand Stadium at 1^st Community Credit Union Field.

Offensively, the Blue and Gold tallied 328 total yards, just 70 yards through the air and a 258 yards on the ground on 55 attempts. Despite just 14 attempts, Maddox Maher did find the endzone, connecting with Trevor Winn for a 23-yard touchdown grab in the first half.

Canon Wiese led the ground attach with 199 yards on 19 carries, Jaydon Jones and Cameron Dischler provided heavy support with 85 and 55 yards respectively while both found the endzone.

Defensively, the Rams limited an explosive Greyhound offense to just 287 total yards. Dabrein Moss led the defense with nine tackles, two of them for loss with a sack. Kevin Odikpo, Tadarian Smith and Athen Dominguez rounded out sack contributions while Logan Thomas recorded a TFL of his own. In the secondary, Demetrias Charles records an interception while KJ Penson, Eugene Liger, Mathew Onyejiaka and Shamareon McKinnon each record a pass breakup.

SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS

• Western New Mexico enters the weekend on a 3-7 overall record and 2-8 in LSC play. Last week, they traveled to take on Central Washington and fell 52-10.
• The Mustangs average 30.0 points per game, seventh best in the LSC, while their 415.0 yards per game is also seventh best in the conference.
• Statistically, WNMU is a run-first team as they boast 254.9 yards per game, which is second in the conference, but tenth nationally.
• Jase Ashley serves as the quarterback for the Mustangs, completing 49.7% of his passes for 1,235 yards and 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Ashley is also a threat in the running game as he has registered 562 yards and five touchdowns.
• The Mustangs' top 10-rushing attack is head headlined by Devon, Nofoa-Masoe, who has rumbled for 1,073 yards and nine touchdowns on 148 carries.
• The Mustangs allow 57.8 points per game, the most in the LSC and Division II, while allowing 619.1 yards per game, also most in the conference and DII.

WINNING WITH WIESE
Rams senior running back, Canon Wiese, was named Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, Oct. 26, becoming the second member of the Blue and Gold to earn LSC weekly honors this season after accounting for all four of the Rams' touchdowns in a 28-14 victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville on Oct. 24.

The Water Valley native rushed for 173 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries while adding a receiving touchdown on one of his three catches for 18 yards. Wiese's four-touchdown performance powered an Angelo State offense that totaled 450 yards in the conference victory.

Wiese scored the Rams' first three touchdowns, helping Angelo State build a 21-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter. His longest scoring play came on a 74-yard touchdown run late in the first half, giving the Rams a two-touchdown advantage at the break.

SCORING ON DEFENSE
The Rams defense is second in the Lone Star Conference in total defense, allowing 374.3 yards per game; 145.7 yards per game on the ground and just 228.7 yards through the air, with the secondary recording 53 pass breakups. Furthermore, the Rams' three defensive touchdowns against the Lobos on Oct. 10 put the Blue and Gold amongst the national leaders in DII in that category.

THE AMAZING ALAN
Redshirt freshman wide receiver Alan Dobbins is second on the team with 41 catches, 488 yards and five touchdowns. The Del Rio, Texas native had a breakout game against Western Colorado, catching eight passes for 94 yards and a touchdown.

DIME TO DONNY
Senior wide receiver Donny Bishop finds himself atop the team, in a couple of categories: receptions (44) and receiving yards (505) while being second in touchdowns (3). The Midland Lee product has accumulated 74 catches for 853 yards and nine touchdowns in his career.

DIRECT TO DISCH
Cameron Dishler has racked up eight rushing touchdowns so far in the 2026 campaign, which is good for third best in the Lone Star Conference. The Rams' leading rusher was named LSC First Team All-Conference last season after he ran for 411 yards and three touchdowns in the seven games, he appeared in.

DYNAMIC DUO
The Rams defensive back room will look to bring over the success from last season as they return cornerbacks Demetris Charles and Tre Liger. Charles received the nod for second-team All-Conference after recording 46 total tackles, three interceptions and six pass deflections. Liger earned an honorable mention after recording 39 tackles. 3.5 for loss, two interceptions and seven pass deflections.

ALL CONFERENCE LINEMEN
The Angelo State offensive line will look to create success in the trenches game as they return two all-conference selections; redshirt juniors Viliami Salakielu and Isaiah Mworia while adding Jose Chavez in the portal from Western New Mexico, who earned honorable mention honors last season.

AFCA PRESEASON RANKINGS
Angelo State began the 2026 season receiving votes in the American Football Coaches' Association (AFCA). The Rams are one of five Lone Star Conference programs recognized in the preseason poll. The Blue and Gold will face five opponents mentioned in the preseason poll during the first six weeks of the season. Fort Hays State and West Texas A&M, both of whom the Rams will host this season, received votes. Central Washington (No. 7), Western Colorado (No. 11) and Western Oregon (No. 22) each earned spots in the top 25, while UT Permian Basin, whom the Rams will see in week nine, is ranked No. 18.

PRESEASON LONE STAR CONFERENCE POLL
Angelo State was selected to finish fourth in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll announced back on July 23. The Rams received 215 points and one first place vote, trailing West Texas A&M (217, 1), Western Oregon (247, 9) and reigning LSC Champion, Central Washington (276, 16).

LSC PLAYERS TO WATCH
In addition to the preseason poll, running back Cameron Dischler and corner back Eugene Liger were named to the Lone Star Conference Players to Watch list. Dischler, a redshirt junior majoring in kinesiology, led the Rams' rushing attack last season with nearly 500 rushing yards while scoring three touchdowns on the ground. Liger, a fifth-year senior from Cypress, Texas, started all 11 games in the secondary and totaled 44 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss. He also recorded seven pass breakups and two interceptions during the 2025 campaign.

HOME SWEET HOME
On Saturday, Nov. 7, the Angelo State football program defeated Eastern New Mexico for its 50th win since opening LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field back in 2014. The Rams have accumulated a 50-22 overall record over the 11 seasons the Blue and Gold have called it home.

STAFF DEPARTURES
Following the 2025 campaign, the Angelo State football program saw a shuffle in its staff as former Offensive Coordinator, Kevin Kilmer, went to Oklahoma State, former Defensive Coordinator, Gary Salgado, went to Stephen F. Austin State, and former defensive backs coach, Del Howard, moved onto Presbyterian.

A NEW PERSPECTIVE
With the staff departures following the 2025 season, head coach, Jeff Girsch, went internally and externally to complete his staff for the 2026 campaign. Internally, longtime Recruiting Coordinator and Wide Receiver coach, Jason Johnson, was promoted to Associate Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator while Offensive Line coach, Bill Weber, became Assistant Head Coach and Run Game Coordinator. Externally, Bemidji State defensive coordinator, Joe Ford was brought in to serve in the same role for the Rams. Finally, Dennis Osagiede came in from CSU Pueblo to become the defensive line coach while Rob Messinger completes the staff to serve as the Wide Receiver coach and Recruiting Coordinator.