Game 1: RV ANGELO STATE RAMS (0-0, 0-0 LSC) vs. RV FORT HAYS STATE TIGERS (0-0, 0-0 MIAA)
Thursday, Aug. 27 7 p.m. CT, San Angelo, Texas – LeGrand Stadium at 1^st Community Credit Union Field
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For the first time since 2022, the Angelo State football program will open the 2026 season at home as the Rams travel p[lay host to Fort Hays State on Thursday, Aug. 27 at LeGrand Stadium at 1^st Community Credit Union Field.

SERIES HISTORY: Angelo State vs. Fort Hays State
All-Time Series: 1-1
Last Meeting: Aug. 28, 2025 (Hays, Kan. – ASU, 28-7)
The Rams and Tigers have played just two times in recent years, both of which were played in Hays, Kan.

THE MATCHUP
Angelo State kicks off the 2026 season against Fort Hays State on Thursday, Aug. 27. It is the first of six home games this season taking place at LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field. The Rams and Tigers will meet for the third straight season, with each team having won once. The teams last met in 2025, with the Rams picking up a 28-7 victory on the road.

AFCA PRESEASON RANKINGS
Angelo State will begin 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.

GAME THEME - BLUE OUT
Angelo State will kick off the 2026 campaign with a 'Blue Out' crowd theme. Dress in ASU Blue and come out to LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field to cheer on the Rams.

HOME OPENER
For the first time in four seasons, the Rams will kick off a football season at home. Previously, the Rams kicked off the 2022 season with a 35-0 win over Chadron State on Sep. 1, 2022.

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Angelo State will look to get familiar with the fourth day of the week as the Rams will play its first two games on Thursday nights before moving to an all-Saturday conference schedule.

HOME SWEET HOME
The Angelo State football program are just three wins away from totaling 50 wins since opening LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field back in 2014. The Rams have accumulated a 47-18 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.

KICKSTART MY ARP
Head Football Coach, Jeff Girsch, announced in his weekly press conference Monday morning that redshirt-sophomore Ayden Arp will begin the 2026 campaign as the Rams' starting quarterback. The Cedar Park high school product has developed for the last two seasons and will get his shot to lead the Blue and Gold to victory. Arp appeared in two games last season including getting the start in the season finale against West Texas A&M. The management student accumulated 316 yards passing and five touchdowns while rushing for 144 yards and one touchdown.

PITCH TO DISCH
Cameron Dishler returns for the 2026 campaign. The Rams' leading rusher was named LSC First Team All-Conference 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 corner backs 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 was named an honorable mention after he corralled 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.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS:

• The Tigers are coming off a 6-5 campaign where they won four of their first six games before hitting a few bumps in MIAA conference play to close the year dropping three of their last five.
• Under the director of head coach Chris Brown, FHSU has an overall record of 95-63 across the 16 seasons he'd been at the helm.
• In 2025, the Tigers saw struggles on both sides of the ball as the offense put up 19.2 points per game while the defense allowed nearly 400 yards a game.
• Mason McMinn will take the first snap of the 2026 campaign for the Tigers, the redshirt sophomore from Mount Pleasant, Texas will be making his first collegiate start.
• Curtis Douglas lists as the starting running back for the Tigers and is the teams' leading rushing returner, having ran for 418 yards and three touchdowns last season.