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CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M returns to the friendly confines of Buffalo Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 24, when they host Angelo State. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
A pay-per-view stream will be available on the Lone Star Conference Digital Network with Lucas Kinsey and Brice Sheets on the call. 
 
FIVE KEY STORYLINES
The Buffs will look to win a third straight game at home for the second time since moving to Buffalo Stadium in 2019. After winning the opening three games in the on-campus stadium last season against Azusa Pacific, Western New Mexico and Central, WT dropped consecutive games to Texas A&M-Commerce and Angelo State. They finished the regular season with a 34-24 victory over Midwestern State and opened the 2019 campaign with an impressive 58-7 victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State. 
 
When the Buffs take the field on Saturday, it will be three weeks since playing Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches. It is their longest break in between regular season games in program history. 
 
WT's matchup against the Rams will mark the fifth time in the past two decade that they will play the same school twice in the same season and first time in the regular season. During the two years of the Lone Star Conference playoff, the Buffs faced Texas A&M-Kingsville (2015) and Eastern New Mexico (2014) twice along with facing Abilene Christian twice in the NCAA postseason (2006, 2008). 
 
Gerber threw the ball 36 times against SFA in their last game, eight of those going to his tight ends. Maxwell Perez had a strong debut at his new position as he was targeted five times for three catches for 27 yards including a 16 yarder in the third quarter. 
 
The Buffs are converting 41 percent of their first downs through the opening three games of the season. One of their strength is converting in 3rd and short situations as they are an impressive 61.9 percent of chances of five yards or less. 
 
A LOOK AT ANGELO STATE
Angel State enters Saturday's game at 1-1 following a 31-12 setback to SFA on Saturday. The Rams held the 'Jacks to eight first downs and 280 yards of total offense in their first loss of the season.
 
Zach Bronkohorst has started both games for ASU under center completing 63.5 percent of his passes for 367 yards and a touchdown. The Galveston native threw for a career-high 189 yards and a score against SFA while also getting picked off twice.
 
Nathaniel Omaye III is the leading rusher for a Rams team that is averaging 185 yards per game on the ground. He ran for 66 yards against the 'Jacks after a 16 carry, 75-yard performance against the Buffs in their season opener. Alfred Grear has also rushed for 88 yards on 14 carries with Carl Odom chipping in 88 yards, 72 of those coming against WT. 
 
Austin Landry has been Bronkhort's favorite target with eight receptions for 84 yards. Kellen Pachot ranks second on the team in receptions (7) and yards (78) after hauling in three catches for 39 yards on Saturday.
 
Daron Allman, Weston Bauer and Derrick Dickerson are the only Rams with double digits tackles. Allman has been a force from his linebacker position with 15 total tackles. 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks while Bauer has a team-high 4.0 tackles for loss. DeShaun Douglas, Leddy French II and Devin Washington all have an interception for the Rams. 
 
THE ALL-TIME SERIES
The Buffs are 13-19 all-time against the Rams including a 7-10 record in games played in Canyon. WT's last home victory over ASU came back on Oct. 19, 2013 behind Dustin Vaughan's 471-yard, four touchdown performance. Torrance Allen was Vaughan's top target with 12 receptions for 199 yards and two scores.
 
A LOOK BACK AT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN
The Buffs dropped their second straight game with a 34-6 loss to Stephen F. Austin on Oct. 3 in Nacogdoches. In their first game against a FCS opponent in more than 20 years, WT had 294 yards of total offense and 17 first downs but went 2-of-5 in the redzone. 
 
Gerber completed 16-of-26 passes for 174 yards and an interception. The junior signal caller also rushed for 15 yards on 11 attempts.
 
Khalil Harris was the leading rusher for the Buffs with 47 yards on 14 carries including a career-long 37-yard run. The sophomore also had a career-best three receptions for 20 yards.
 
Devin Neal had 110 all-purpose yards on the day. He had three receptions for 61 yards while rushing for 24 yards. Perez chipped in three catches for 27 yards in his first career game as a tight end. 
 
Hayden Dennis reached double figures in tackles for the second straight game with 13. He also recorded his first career interception. Tre'Von Mosley had five tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and a sack. 

Buffs Don't Back Down Against Stephen F. Austin

🔗: https://t.co/Em6b9BQ09h#RollDamnBuffs | #BuffNation pic.twitter.com/UAxgRElUBQ

— Buffalo Football (@WTAMUFootball) October 4, 2020

 
STRAIGHT TO COMPTON
In their first meeting, Jarrod Compton had a career-high seven receptions in the Buffs 21-10 setback to the Rams. The seven receptions were the most by a WT running back since Devon Paye hauled in 10 catches against Texas A&M-Commerce in 2016.
 
The self-proclaimed shoe guru is one of five Buffs to have carried the ball more than 10 times this season with 17 carries for 73 yards and a score. He also ranks fourth on the team in receptions with eight. 
 
YOU WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR FIRST
Hayden Dennis forced the Buffs first turnover of the year with an interception in the fourth quarter against SFA on Oct. 3. It was also the senior linebackers first career interception, which was returned six yards. 
 
He is now one of two active players to have recorded an interception led by a team-high 11 from All-American Tobias Harris. 

.@haydendennis32 lets his play do the talking.#RollDamnBuffs pic.twitter.com/eDxIEY1fnR

— Buffalo Football (@WTAMUFootball) October 6, 2020

NEAL MIGHT BE THE REAL DEAL
Junior wideout Devin Neal has been Gerber's top target through three games, 16 targets for 10 receptions. He ranks first on the team in all-purpose yards, receptions, receiving yards (162) and is one of five Buffs to have receiving touchdown. 
 
The Eloy, Ariz. native has also been one of the top returners for the Buffs including a season-best 56-yard kick return against the Rams. 
 
 THIS DAY IN BUFF HISTORY
The Buffs are 6-5 all-time on Oct. 24 dating back to 1946 including two straight victories. It will be their first game at home on the date since a 43-15 victory over Angelo State.
 
They have played Texas A&M-Kingsville, New Mexico State and Hardin-Simmons twice on the day. 
 
NEW FACES MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Through three games, four of the Top 10 tacklers for the Buffs are either freshmen, transfers or redshirted last season. Mosley has made a huge impact with 14 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks.
 
On the offensive side of the ball, Kenneath Redd Jr. and Neal have combined for 19 catches for 242 yards and two touchdowns. 
 
WT HEAD COACH HUNTER HUGHES
Hughes is in his fourth season as the head coach at WT and looks to build on the Buffs first eight-win season since 2013. He is 18-18 during his tenure in Canyon including a 10-14 record in conference play.
 
Hughes and Will Wagner will join Lucas Kinsey at Canyon Ranch for this week's Coaches Show. The hour-long show begins at 6 p.m. and will be streamed on the LSC Digital Network. 
 
LIVE COVERAGE
Saturday's game will be broadcast on the Lone Star Conference Digital Network for $10. Lucas Kinsey and Brice Sheets will be in the booth with Kent Johnson providing sideline coverage. For more information, visit the Football Schedule page at GoBuffsGo.com.
 
UP NEXT
The Buffs will host North American University on Saturday, Oct. 31, for their first-ever meeting. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Buffalo Stadium.