Game 3: ANGELO STATE RAMS (0-2, 0-0 LSC) vs. WEST TEXAS A&M BUFFS (0-2, 0-0 LSC)
Saturday, Sep. 19, 6 p.m. CT, San Angelo, Texas – LeGrand Stadium at 1^st Community Credit Union Field
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THE MATCHUP
The Angelo State University football program will kick off Lone Star Conference play, taking on West Texas A&M in the Battle of the West on Saturday, September 19^th at LeGrand Stadium at 1^st Community Credit Union Field. Saturday marks the 40^th game between the Rams and Buffs, with a 22-17 split in favor of the Blue and Gold since their first matchup in 1983. ASU has won six of the previous 10 games against WT, going 4-1 at home during that same stretch.

SERIES HISTORY: Angelo State vs. West Texas A&M
All-Time Series: 22-17
Last Meeting: Nov. 15, 2025 (Canyon, Texas – WT, 45-44)

LAST TIME OUT
It'll be just over two weeks since the Rams stepped onto the field against a different opponent, as ASU was on bye last week. Prior to that, the Rams traveled to Centennial State to face off against then No. 9 Western Colorado in the mountains. The Rams held onto the lead for much of the contest but fell behind midway through the third quarter before a late comeback attempt fell short to drop the Rams to 0-2.

The offense saw much improvement as Ayden Arp tossed for 229 yards and two touchdowns. One of them went to Alan Dobbins, who racked up 94 yards on eight catches. The unit converted 50% (7 of 14) of their third downs and saw a more even split in time of possession. Defensively, the Rams allowed 324 yards and limited the Mountaineers to a 33.3% (5 of 15) third-down conversion.

KICKSTART MY ARP
Since being named the starting quarterback before week zero, Ayden Arp has shown improvement in each of his first two contests. The Cedar Park high school product has gone 32 of 50 (64%) for 364 yards and two touchdowns. The redshirt sophomore made his first career start against the Buffs in last season's finale, where he completed 13 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns while rushing 20 times for 144 yards and a third touchdown.

THE AMAZING ALAN
Redshirt freshman wide receiver Alan Dobbins leads the room with nine catches, 103 yards and a touchdown. 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 tied with Dobbins for the team lead in a couple of categories: receiving yards (103) and touchdowns (1), while second in catches (7). The Midland Lee product has accumulated 37 catches for 451 yards and seven touchdowns.

DIRECT TO DISCH
Cameron Dishler has racked up three rushing touchdowns so far in the 2026 campaign, which is good for second 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.

SCOUTING THE BUFFS:

• The West Texas A&M Buffaloes enter the weekend on a 0-2 record after beginning the 2026 campaign with a home loss to No. 9 Western Colorado and a tough road test at No. 6 Grand Valley State.
• Under the direction of head coach Josh Lynn, the Buffs have accumulated a record of 16-19. Lynn is coming off his best season since taking over the helm, racking up an 8-4 record to finish third in the Lone Star Conference.
• The Buffs sit 7^th best in the LSC in total offense (378.0) courtesy of 95 rushing yards a game and 283 yards passing.
• Knox Porter guides the offense, completing 58.62% (51 of 87) of his passes for 566 yards and three touchdowns while tossing four interceptions.
• J.B. Mitchell III leads the receiving room with 213 yards and a touchdown on 12 catches.
• Defensively, West Texas A&M ranks ninth in total defense as they have allowed 516 yards per game: 214.5 yards on the ground and 283 yards through the air.

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
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
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 47-19 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.