Game 2: ANGELO STATE RAMS (0-1, 0-0 LSC) at NO. 11 WESTERN COLORADO MOUNTAINEERS (1-0, 0-0 RMAC)
Thursday, Sep. 3 7 p.m. CT, Gunnison, Colorado – Mojo Field at Mountaineer Bowl at the Rady Family Sports Complex
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THE MATCHUP
The Angelo State University football program will look to bounce back to the programs' winning ways as they hit the road for the first time this season, traveling to the Centennial State to take on No. 11 Western Colorado on Thursday, Sep. 3 at Mojo Field at Mountaineer Bowl at the Rady Family Sports Complex. The Blue and Gold have won all seven matchups, with three being in Gunnison, since the two teams first met in 1997.

SERIES HISTORY: Angelo State vs. Western Colorado
All-Time Series: 7-0
Last Meeting: Sep. 12, 2015 (Gunnison, Colo. – ASU, 48-20)

LAST TIME OUT
The first half of last week's home opener against Fort Hays State was something expected when it's the first game of the new season; hard nose, defensive, low scoring football. However, the second half proved the difference as the Rams committed three turnovers with some offensive sparks while the defense allowed 28 points to result in the 35-14 loss.

IT'S BEEN HOW LONG?!
A week from Saturday, it'll have been almost 11 years to the day since the Rams and Mountaineers have last faced off. To put it into perspective, head coach, Jeff Girsch, was the Rams' defensive coordinator. Offensive coordinator, Jason Johnson, was beginning his first season as the program's wide receiver coach and recruiting coordinator. Furthermore, Assistant Athletic Director of Business, Nicholas Lambert, was a member of that Rams football team. Lastly, athletic director, James Reid, was serving in an assistant AD role while still the head track and field coach with current head T&F coach, Tom Dibbern, serving as his assistant.

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.

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 MOUNTAINEERS:

• The Western Colorado Mountaineers are coming off a 10-3 campaign, earning a playoff berth where they defeated Central Washington before losing to UT Permian Basin in overtime.
• Last week, the Mountaineers went on the road and utilized a 17 point second quarter and a 28 points third quarter to dismantle West Texas A&M 52-21. WCU outgained WT 491-442 while owning the possession battle, 33:57-25:54.
• Under the director of head coach Jas Bains, WCU has an overall record of 76-86 across the 16 seasons he's been at the helm.
• Josiah Roy will trot out as the Mountaineers starting quarterback as he only needed nine completions to toss for 268 yards and four touchdowns against the Buffs.
• The Mountaineers had four rushers notch 5+ carries. In total, all rushers accounted for 184 yards on the ground and two touchdowns.

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.