Angelo State Rams Face Playoff Rematch With Bemidji State

SAN ANGELO, TX — In some ways, the football teams from Angelo State and Bemidji State couldn’t be much further apart.

The two campuses are separated by nearly 1,400 miles. ASU is about 150 miles from Mexico, while Bemidji is about 100 miles from Canada.

Yet the two teams also share some similarities. Each plays physical football, and each has a defense allowing less than 16 points per game.

They also share some history with a playoff meeting just two years ago when the Rams defeated the Beavers 33-7 in San Angelo in a second-round playoff game.

They’ll meet again at 1 p.m. Saturday in a NCAA Division II playoff opener at LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field.

MORE: Rams and Rambelles to Host NCAA Playoff Games This Weekend

It’s a matchup of two strong programs that earned their way into the postseason. 

ASU (9-2) is on a nine-game winning streak after an undefeated run through the Lone Star Conference. Bemidji (8-3) pulled off a 17-10 win last week over then-No. 2 seed Augustana to ensure its season stayed alive.

ASU head coach Jeff Girsch said Bemidji’s defense reminds him of the Rams the way they fly around, and he expects a battle.

“We’re going to have our hands full, but we’re excited about the opportunity and the matchup, and we’re really happy it’s in San Angelo and not Bemidji, Minnesota,” Girsch said.

The weather forecast calls for a high of 29 degrees Saturday in Bemidji, and a high of 77 in San Angelo.

Girsch said the Rams love their home-field advantage, not just the weather.

“What makes it great at home is our fans. We get great support. We’ve been sold out or close to it every single game,” Girsch said. “Getting our alumni and boosters back and former players back, and then our coaches’ families and our players’ families, that’s what’s special.”

This game will feature two of the best defenses in the country. ASU is ranked No. 9 out of 159 NCAA Division II schools, allowing 12 points per game. Bemidji is ranked No. 17, giving up an average of 16 points.

Which offense is better suited to break through?

ASU has an offense scoring 32 points per game which is No. 32 in the country. Bemidji’s offense is ranked No. 70 at 26.5 points per game.

Rams sophomore quarterback Braeden Fuller has been exceptional in his first season as the starter. He has thrown for 2,180 yards and 18 touchdowns on 149-of-255 passing without a single interception.

“A young quarterback will sometimes force the football here and there, but Brayden hasn’t done that,” Girsch said. “He’s made great decisions with the football. Obviously, his stats speak for themselves with how he’s improved throughout the whole year. I couldn’t be more proud of him, because he works hard and comes to practice each day with great energy and excitement.

“We’ve surrounded him with some great weapons, and the offensive line has protected for him. But his individual effort and the things he’s done are nothing short of amazing.”

Fuller has also been a threat on the ground with 648 rushing yards and 10 TDs.

If the Rams win this week, they’ll move on to play No. 2 Western Colorado or Central Washington (a team ASU beat 17-16 a few weeks ago).

Girsch said he didn’t have an issue with Western Colorado jumping from No. 5 to No. 2 in the final regional rankings after its 37-7 win over Colorado Mesa. 

ASU was sitting at No. 4 and earned a 56-19 win over West Texas A&M last week. When the No. 2 and 3 teams lost, the Rams seemed to be in position to move to the No. 2 seed.

Western Colorado’s only loss was by 10 points to top seed Colorado State-Pueblo, so it’s debatable if the Mountaineers should have been seeded so low in the first place.

“Western Colorado went 10-1. They’re a good football team, so there’s not a lot of complaints coming from that part of it,” Girsch said. “At the end of the day, for seeds 2-7, you’ve still got to beat everybody to get to where you want to go. 

“Getting in and having a home game Week 1 is something special. We’re just excited to be in the field and have a chance to go compete and see if we can’t get ourselves to a national championship game.”