SFA (1-3) VS. ANGELO STATE (1-0)
WHEN: OCT. 17 (SAT.) 4:00 P.M.
WHERE: NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS (HOMER BRYCE STADIUM)
TV: ESPN3
Moving on to the Rams of Angelo State, a team that after back to back 6-win season in 2017 and 2018, made a change at head coach, promoting defensive coordinator Jeff Girsch to that position in 2019.
In his first season ever at head coach Girsch guided Angelo State to an impressive 8-win season, their best since 2014.
The Rams started the 2019 season with a 4-game win streak that included at Texas A&M Kingsville (44-7) and #13 Midwestern State (28-6) before losing at LSC Champion #4 Tarleton State (13-30).
For the Rams, the high tide of the season came with an 8-1 record, a Top 20 Division II national ranking, and being posed for the Division II playoffs, before disappointing loses at Eastern New Mexico (17-20) and at home against #23 Texas A&M Commerce (3-17) erasing any playoff hopes.
With the departure of senior QB Payne Sullins, leading receivers Keke Chism and Lawson Ayo and leading rusher Lloyd Howard, the 2020 season looks to be a bit of a rebuilding year on the offensive side of the ball, as Angelo State turns to junior QB Zach Bronkhorst 6-3; 208 from Galveston, Texas (High Island).
Before the 2020 season Zach had only played one game in his college career back in 2018 completing 1 pass for 41 yards for a TD.
In the season opener against West Texas A&M Bronkhorst went 18 of 28 for 178 yards as well as rushing for 25 yards with no INTs.
The rushing attack looks to be headed by sophomore running back Nathaniel Omayebu III 5-11; 262 and Junior Carl Odom 6-1; 227 who both combined for 147 yards on 31 carries and 2 TDs against West Texas A&M.
At receiver Austin Landry 6-0; 195 out of Pearland, returns who as a true freshman during the 2019 season had 24 catches for 328 yards and 4 TDs.
The Rams maybe rebuilding on the offensive side of the ball, but they return quit a few starters from a conference leading defense from a season ago.
The defense led by senior linebacker Kyle Hunter 6-3; 220 out of Wichita Falls (Rider) was a 2nd team all-conference player in 2019 with 101 tackles 12 for loss 4.5 sacks 1 BU and 1 INT.
Also, earning 2nd Team All-Conference honors senior CB Devin Washington 6-1; 181 out of Jacksonville, Florida, who in 2019 led the conference in interceptions with 7, and nine pass breakups.
Last season the Rams led the conference in scoring defense, holding their opponents to 14 points a game.
The secondary led the conference in interceptions (17) only giving up 7 passing TDs in conference play, a conference leading 91.1 in efficiency.
The defensive front was 3rd in the conference with 31 sacks as well as against the run giving up 135 yards a game, also leading the conference in holding their opponents in 3rd down conversions (30.1%)
Coach Carthel could have a fight on his hands against his Alma Mater, when it comes to moving the ball.
Look for more of a defensive battle in this one, a low scoring game, with the Jacks pulling it out in the 4th.
Axe'Em
"History has no rubbish heap." Louis Blake Duff