GAME NOTES
Western Oregon vs. #23 Angelo State
1:05 p.m. Saturday
McArthur Field | Monmouth, Ore.
Watch:
FloSports (Matthew Palumbo & Curtis Anderson on the call)
Western Oregon (6-3, 6-1 Lone Star)
Head Coach:
Arne Ferguson
Record at WOU: 109-94 (19th Season)
Career Record: Same
Last Game: 21-16 win at Midwestern St.
#23 Angelo State
Head Coach: Jeff Girsch
Record at ASU: 47-14 (6th Season)
Career Collegiate Record: Same
Last Game: 17-16 win vs. #17 C. WashingtonÂ
Series History vs. Angelo State
Overall Record: 0-5
Home: 0-2
Road: 0-3
Neutral: 0-0
Streak: Lost 5
Last WOU Win:
Last ASU Win: Oct. 21, 2023 (33-6 loss at WOU)
First Meeting: 1978 (32-0 loss at ASU)*
*NAIA Playoff Game
Battle for LSC Crown
In a battle of the top two teams in the conference with two games to go, the Wolves with a win will move into a tie with Angelo State for the top of the conference with a game to go. There are co-champions crowned in the Lone Star Conference (head-to-head isn't taken into account) so if both teams won the following week (WOU is at Central Washington, ASU hosts West Texas A&M) they would be considered co-champions.
Lone Star Conference Football Standings
Route to a first WOU NCAA playoff appearanceÂ
More importantly, the Wolves are ranked eighth in the Super Region 4 rankings released this week. NCAA Division II has four super regions with the top seven teams going to the NCAA football championship. Wins over ASU (fifth in the region) and CWU (sixth in the region) would move the Wolves into a position to make their first NCAA Football Championship appearance in school history (moved to NCAA in 2001) and first national postseason appearance since 1997.
Super Region 4 Rankings
| Rank |
School |
D-II Record |
In-Region Record |
| 1 |
Colorado State University Pueblo |
8-1 |
8-0 |
| 2 |
Augustana (South Dakota) |
7-1 |
7-1 |
| 3 |
Minnesota State Mankato |
7-2 |
7-2 |
| 4 |
Western Colorado University |
8-1 |
8-1 |
| 5 |
Angelo State |
7-2 |
7-0 |
| 6 |
Central Washington |
6-2 |
6-2 |
| 7 |
Sioux Falls |
6-2 |
6-2 |
| 8 |
Western Oregon |
6-1 |
6-1 |
| 9 |
Colorado Mesa |
7-2 |
7-2 |
| 10 |
Colorado School of Mines |
7-2 |
7-2 |
WOU defense shines in Midwestern State win
The Wolves defense didn't allow a touchdown Saturday (MSU's only points came on a fumble return for a score) and held the Mustangs to 231 yards - the fewest WOU has allowed in a game since holding this week's opponent Angelo State to 230 yards (WOU lost, 31-13).
Ball-hawk Simpson snags two more picks versus MSU
WOU sophomore cornerback Andrew Simpson picked off two more passes against MSU and defended two more - giving him six interceptions (tied for second in NCAA D-II) and an NCAA D-II-leading 17 total passes defended (11 pass breakups and six INTs). The six interceptions in a season is tied for the fifth-most in WOU history (the record is 10 set by Dave Sturgis in 1966).
Frog leaps up WOU receiving all-time list
WOU's Damon "Frog" Hickok, who is second in the LSC in catches (36) and third in receiving yards (562)Â with his 31 yards Saturday moved to No. 10 on WOU's all-time receiving yards list at 1,738. His 116 career receptions is 12 outside the top-10 (Sean Fullerton is at No. 10 with 128).Â
Other Quick Stats
- In an odd stat, the Wolves lead the LSC in fumbles forced (8) but are last in fumble recovered (1).
- WOU is 16th in D-II and second in the LSC in turnovers lost at eight.
- WOU ranks 18th in the nation and third in the LSC in rushing yards per game at 195.7.
- WOU freshman kicker Keaton Emmett, a two-time LSC Special Teams Player of the Week, is third in the LSC in kicking points (51) .
