ALAMOSA, Colo. - The Adams State Grizzlies Football team begins their final road stretch of the season with a trip to the Lone Star state. Looking to snap a two-game skid, the Grizzlies will look to get back on track with their only non-conference game of the season.

OPPONENT: Angelo State University Rames (4-4, 3-3 LSC)

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018 - 3 p.m. MT/4 p.m. CT

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

KICKOFF
It is week nine of the NCAA Division II Football season and the Adams State Grizzlies are coming down the home stretch of their 2018 campaign. Going into the weekend the Grizzlies are 4-4 overall with the same mark in RMAC play. They are coming off a week eight loss that nearly saw Adams State upset No. 13 CSU-Pueblo inside Rex Stadium. The Grizzlies ultimately fell 29-22 to the Thunderwolves but will look to bounce back this weekend.

The Grizzlies are in San Angelo, Texas for a date with the Angelo State University Rams. Both the Grizzlies and Rams are 4-4 and will look to get one game over .500. The Grizzlies are just 1-3 on the road this year, but the Rams are just 1-2 at home.

SERIES HISTORY
Adams State and Angelo State have only met on the gridiron twice in the programs' two histories. The two teams met in the 1999 and 2000 seasons, with the Rams winning both contests. The Rams out-scored the Grizzlies 98 to 19 in those two contests.  

HIGH SCORING ATTACK
In the Grizzlies loss to CSU-Pueblo, it was the first time one of the nation's highest scoring offenses was held in check as the Grizzlies managed just 22 points after scoring 40-pllus in each of their last five contests. Entering this weekend, Adams State is still ranked in the top-10 nationally in a number of offense categories. The Grizzlies are ninth in Division II in both passing offense (312.6 YPG) and in total first downs (199), and sixth in red zone offense (.919 PCT). They are just outside the top-10 in total offense at 14th (476.4 YPG) and 14th in scoring offense (40.0 PPG).

Quarterback Nick Rooney has thrown at least four touchdown in five of his last six games and amassed at least 250 passing yards in each of those contests. Rooney is currently send in the RMAC in passing touchdowns (28), third in yards (2,400), third in average/game (300.0), total offense (2,134 yards), second in total offense (2,643 yards) and second in total offense/game (330.4 yards). In Division II, his 28 touchdowns are second, while his 2,400 passing yards are seventh most. His 330.4 total yards per game is fourth most and his 300.0 passing yards per game is ninth.

Wide receivers Chad Hovasse, Marquese Surrell, and Miles Fishback all continue to play a major role in the success of Rooney and the offense. Hovasse is tied for the lead in the RMAC in receiving touchdowns with 17, which is also tied for the lead in Division II. His 1,040 receiving yards lead the RMAC and second in Division II. He is the leader in the league in receiving yards a game (130.0), while ranking second in Division II. He leads all of Division II in receptions per game at 9.9. 

Surrell has been a two-way threat on offense and on special teams. He is tied for fifth in the RMAC in touchdowns (5), fifth in average/game (92.0 yards), and third in receptions/game (7.1). On special teams, Surrell is third in the league with 20 returns, while his average of 24.3 yards/return is also third. In all-purpose yards, he is sixth with 1,129 total yards and third in average per game (161.3). His all-purpose average is 12th in all of Division II. His 7.1 receptions per game is tied for 11th in Division II. 

Fishback is tied for on the team and tied for sixth in the RMAC with five touchdowns including the gamewinner in the 48-42 overtime win over Fort Lewis College. He's pulled in 13 catches this season for 216 yards. He also has one passing touchdown on the year. Another go to weapon for the Grizzlies is running back Tyree Harris. 

He is the team's top rusher averaging 110.9 yards per game. He's racked up 887 yards on the ground and has 10 touchdowns on the year. Harris has also pulled down 24 receptions for 292 yards. His total rush yards are fourth in the RMAC, while his average is fifth. He is tied for fourth in touchdowns. In all-purpose yards, Harris is sixth in the RMAC in average with 147.4 yards per game. Harris'
all-purpose average is 17th in Division II. His 10 rushing touchdowns is tied for 17th in Division II, while his 801 rush yards are 14th alone.

DEFENSIVE PLAYMAKERS
Through eight weeks of play, defensive back Garrett Jackson continues to lead the way for the Grizzlies defense. Right behind him is fellow defensive back Sipa Leafa who has provided a spark in his freshman campaign. Jackson currently leads Adams State with 86 tackles, with 48 of them being on a solo effort. He leads the RMAC in total tackles and solo tackles.

Leafa is second totaling 67 tackles, with 42 being solo. His total tackles are tied for sixth in the conference and his 42 solo tackles are third. He leads the team in interceptions with two, which is tied for ninth-most in the RMAC. His 76 combined yards on interception returns is sixth-highest in the conference.

Isaia Rosten (61), Adam Lucero (32), Braeden Meyer (24), Deon Mayers (23), Donovan Robinson (26), Bryce Barnes (25), Garrett Pemelton (28), and Leon Te'o (22) all have 20 or more tackles. Nick Bundy (19), Sergio Mendoza (17), Vaega Lolohea (19), Thomas Reed III (15), Elijah Tuli (14), Zach Lewallen (16), Angelo Ramirez (10), and Leonard Sagapolute (10) all have at least 10 tackles. Jackson, Meyer, Rosten, Reed III, Barnes, Tuli, and Erick Ruiz all have a forced fumble on the year. Rosten leads the way with two. Robinson, Mayers, Rosten, and Barnes also have an interception on the year as well.

SPECIAL TEAMS OUTLOOK
Special teams wise, the Grizzlies have just one touchdown return this year thanks in part to Keyon Thomas. He had an 82 yard kickoff return to the house against the Cowboys in week three. A key weapon is Surrell. who is third in the league with 20 returns, while his average of 24.3 yards/return is also third. In all-purpose yards, he is sixth with 1,129 total yards and third in average per game (161.3). His all-purpose average is 12th in all of Division II. His 7.1 receptions per game is tied for 11th in Division II.

Ruiz has been a key factor in kickoff and has been a workhorse for the Grizzlies on special teams. He is tied sixth in the RMAC in made field goals with five. He is 5-for-5 in field goals which leads the RMAC in percentage (100.0). His 50 points are sixth among kickers in the RMAC. He is just one of four kickers in Division II that has yet to miss a field goal this season.

UP NEXT
The Grizzlies will remain on the road next weekend for final road game of the year. They will head to Grand Junction, Colo. to take on Colorado Mesa on Saturday, Nov. 3. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. against the Mavericks.