D2-CFB Game Preview: Emporia State Hornets (1-0) vs. #10 Angelo State Rams (1-0)

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Venue & Game Details

Kickoff Time: 6:00 p.m. CDT

Venue: LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field, San Angelo, Texas

Theme: Blue Out! — fans encouraged to wear blue

Broadcast: FloCollege (video), RamTV (local), 94.7 KIXY-FM (radio), live stats via AngeloSports.com

Weather Forecast (San Angelo, TX)

Conditions: Mostly clear skies into the evening

Temperature at Kickoff: ~91°F (33°C)

Wind: 6–9 mph from the south-southeast

Impact: Warm and dry — hydration and depth will be factors, but wind should have minimal effect on the passing game.

Injury & Availability Report

Angelo State Rams

Questionable: RB2 (ankle soreness)

Out: None reported

Notable: QB Braeden Fuller healthy after 3-TD opener; WR Corey Sandolph (2 TDs last week) ready to go; LB Marquis Brown coming off 13 tackles and an INT vs. Fort Hays State

Emporia State Hornets

Questionable: OL starter (undisclosed)

Out: None reported

Notable: QB Ben Harris healthy after 292-yard, 2-TD debut; WR Malik O’Atis (12 rec, 90 yds, 1 TD in Week 1) leads a deep receiving corps; DB Tyler Schultze (MIAA INT leader in 2024) anchors the secondary

Recent Form & Trends

Angelo State: Opened 2025 with a road win over Fort Hays State, scoring 21 unanswered in the second half. Fuller was efficient (177 yds, 3 TDs), and the defense pitched a second-half shutout.

Emporia State: Controlled Minot State from start to finish, racking up nearly 400 yards of offense. Harris completed 37-of-52 passes, spreading the ball to 10 different receivers. Defense allowed just 7 points and forced multiple turnovers.

Series History

All-Time Series: Emporia State leads 1–0

Last Meeting: Sept. 7, 2024 — Emporia State won 17–12 in Emporia, KS; ASU settled for four field goals despite 239 rushing yards.

Key Player Matchups

QB Braeden Fuller (ASU) vs. ESU Secondary – Fuller’s efficiency will be tested by Schultze and a ball-hawking Hornets defense.

QB Ben Harris (ESU) vs. ASU Pass Rush – Harris will need quick reads against a Rams front that limited Fort Hays to 7 points and forced an INT.

ASU Ground Game vs. ESU Front Seven – The Rams ran for 239 yards in last year’s meeting; ESU must close running lanes to avoid long drives.

Betting Trends

Angelo State is 8-2 SU in its last 10 home games.

Emporia State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 road games vs. ranked opponents.

The Under has hit in 4 of ASU’s last 5 games.

Game Odds

Emporia State Hornets                  52

Angelo State Rams                          – 3.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 5, 2025