FORT WORTH — The No. 20 Texas Wesleyan Rams (3-2, 3-0 SAC) are gearing up for a pivotal showdown against the RV Louisiana Christian Wildcats (4-2, 3-0 SAC) in Fort Worth, as they aim to maintain their perfect conference record.
Coming off a dominant 38-0 shutout over Arkansas Baptist, the Rams are riding high with a potent rushing attack and a stingy defense. However, facing a Wildcats team that's shown offensive firepower and resilience in close games, Texas Wesleyan knows this matchup will test their mettle, especially given the competitive history between these two programs.
Last week, the Rams showcased their ground game, racking up 262 rushing yards, led by Mark Benjamin's 115 yards and a 73-yard touchdown scamper. Quarterback Cole Francis contributed both through the air (109 yards, one touchdown) and on the ground, while the defense, anchored by Jordan Crawford and Daniel Aigbogun, recorded three sacks and two interceptions.
The suffocating performance sets the stage for a confident Texas Wesleyan squad, but Louisiana Christian's explosive offense poses a different challenge. The Wildcats have averaged 33 points per game, with a high of 56 against Oklahoma Panhandle State, driven by quarterback Bryce Perkins' 368-yard passing performance against Wayland Baptist and running back Datlan Cunningham's 158 rushing yards in the same game.
From the Rams' perspective, containing Perkins, who has thrown for over 200 yards in most games, will be critical. Louisiana Christian's receiving corps, including EJ Scott, Omarius Davis, and Xavion Butler, has consistently produced big plays, with Scott hauling in 159 yards against Wayland Baptist and Butler snagging an 81-yard touchdown against Langston.
The Wildcats' ability to pull off clutch wins, like their 43-37 thriller over Wayland Baptist, highlights their knack for late-game heroics, which Texas Wesleyan's defense must neutralize. The Rams' secondary, led by Sir Hill and Jarvis Solomon, will need to replicate their turnover-forcing prowess from last week to disrupt LCU's passing game.
Historically, the matchup has been a toss-up, with each team holding a 2-2 record since 2021. Texas Wesleyan's most recent encounter, a 63-42 victory in Pineville last November, saw the Rams' offense explode for 21 points in both the first and fourth quarters.
However, LCU's 33-9 rout in 2022 and 34-24 win in 2023 at Farrington Field serve as reminders of the Wildcats' potential to dominate. The Rams will lean on their rushing attack, led by Benjamin and Chris Thomas, to control the clock and keep Perkins off the field. Kicker Freddy Joya's reliability (5-for-5 on extra points last week) could also prove crucial in a tight contest.
Louisiana Christian's defense has shown vulnerabilities, conceding 54 points to McNeese and 52 to Hardin-Simmons, but their recent shut-down of Fort Lauderdale (6 points allowed) suggests improvement.
The Rams must avoid early deficits, as LCU has jumped to quick leads, like their 21-0 first-quarter surge against Fort Lauderdale. With both teams eyeing a statement win, Texas Wesleyan's balanced attack and defensive tenacity will face a stern test against a Wildcats squad hungry to climb the polls.
