FORT WORTH, TX - On Saturday, Texas Wesleyan University will travel north to Goodwell, OK, to play against conference opponent Oklahoma Panhandle State University, who are currently tied atop of the conference standings with the Rams.
Last Saturday, the OPSU Aggies faced Southwest Baptist University in a challenging non-conference game, falling 42-10. The Aggies scored with a 39-yard field goal by Carlos Vazquez, capping a 12-play, 56-yard drive for an early 3-0 lead. However, the Sabercats responded with a strong offensive performance, pulling away as the game progressed. OPSU's lone touchdown came in the third quarter on a 1-yard run by Martin Blake, who totaled 43 rushing yards. Defensively, Tyvonne Jeffrie and Josiah Flores led with six tackles each, while Aaron Acosta-Lewis and Elzie Barnett III recorded sacks.
Through three contests the Rams have established themselves as a dominant force in the Sooner Athletic Conference. They rank #1 in both points scored and total offense, showcasing their offensive firepower. Additionally, they stand #2 in passing yards per game. On the defensive side, the Rams lead the conference in interceptions, rank #2 in points allowed, and hold the #3 spot in sacks. In addition, the Rams have four wide receivers in the Top 10 for total receiving yards.
Last week TXWES delivered a dominant 80-0 victory against North American University, setting a new school record. The Rams' offense was relentless, scoring early and often, led by Carson Rodgers with multiple touchdown passes and Ernest Ceasar contributing four touchdowns. The defense was equally dominant, with Deylon Rodgers returning an interception for a touchdown and Jaysen Price setting a school record with a 108-yard missed field goal return. TXWES performance shattered their previous scoring record of 72 points and marked their third consecutive win to start the season, one shy of the school record for wins to start a season.
In this pivotal match up, both teams vie for the conference lead and to break the tie in their head-to-head series, currently at 3-3. The rivalry dates back to November 11, 2017, when the Aggies handed the Rams a 65-6 loss. Since then, the teams have traded wins, with Texas Wesleyan taking the last three games. TXWES largest margin of victory came in 2022, winning 52-0, while their narrowest win was 31-16 in 2023. With both teams winning three games in the series, Saturday's game will decide the top spot in the conference and bragging rights in this competitive series.
