FORT WORTH — Texas Wesleyan University returns to Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium for Homecoming on Saturday when the Rams host Nelson University at 6 p.m. in an Urban Edge Network Game of the Week..
The Rams enter the contest 1-2 overall and 1-0 in SAC play after opening conference competition with a 56-20 victory over Texas College on Sept. 12. Texas Wesleyan scored 35 points in the first quarter and finished with 420 yards of total offense, including 239 passing yards and 181 rushing yards.
The victory gave Texas Wesleyan an early win in the SAC standings as the Rams begin their pursuit of another conference championship. Texas Wesleyan has won four consecutive SAC championships entering the 2026 season and finished 7-1 in conference play in 2025.
Saturday's match-up comes after Texas Wesleyan opened the season against NCAA Division II opponents Central Oklahoma and McNeese State. The Rams fell 59-7 to Central Oklahoma in the Aug. 27 opener before dropping a 52-0 decision at McNeese on Sept. 5. Texas Wesleyan responded with its conference-opening victory over Texas College.
RAMS OFFENSE LOOKS TO BUILD
Texas Wesleyan enters the Nelson match-up averaging 21.0 points and 289.7 yards of total offense per game through three contests. The Rams have rushed for 409 net yards and passed for 460 yards while scoring eight offensive touchdowns.
Quarterback Charlie Adamoli has handled the majority of the quarterback duties through the first three games, completing 39 of 84 passes for 418 yards and three touchdowns. He threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns in the conference-opening win over Texas College.
Cole Francis has also seen action at quarterback, completing 6 of 16 passes for 42 yards through three games. Francis started all 12 games for the Rams in 2025 and completed 183 of 329 passes for 2,488 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also rushed for 162 yards and three touchdowns.
The Rams have received significant production from the ground game. Ian Jernagin leads Texas Wesleyan with 196 rushing yards on 35 attempts and four touchdowns. Jernagin recorded three rushing touchdowns against Texas College, including a 24-yard touchdown run.
Texas Wesleyan also has produced a balanced receiving attack. The Rams have recorded 460 passing yards through three games, with Adamoli's 230-yard performance against Texas College representing the team's top passing performance of the season.
DEFENSE COMING OFF STRONG CONFERENCE PERFORMANCE
The Texas Wesleyan defense enters Homecoming after limiting Texas College to 127 yards of total offense.
The Rams recorded 14 tackles for loss and two sacks against the Steers while forcing three turnovers. Texas Wesleyan has totaled 11 sacks and 24 tackles for loss through three games.
The defense has also created seven takeaways through three games, including three interceptions and four fumble recoveries. The Rams held Texas College to 95 passing yards and 32 rushing yards in the conference opener.
NELSON ENTERS WITH FIRST SAC WIN
Nelson comes to Fort Worth with a 1-2 overall record and a 1-1 mark in SAC play. The Lions opened the season with a 27-6 loss to MidAmerica Nazarene before falling 31-17 at Ottawa University Arizona.
Nelson earned its first victory of the season last Saturday, defeating Arkansas Baptist 35-28 at Lumpkins Stadium in Waxahachie. The Lions enter Saturday's match-up having scored 58 points over their past two games.
The Lions' 2026 schedule also includes upcoming SAC games against Howard Payne, Louisiana Christian, Texas College and Oklahoma Panhandle State.
A FAMILIAR SAC OPPONENT
Texas Wesleyan and Nelson have developed a competitive history within the SAC, with the Rams having won the most recent meeting in 2025.
The Rams traveled to Nelson last season and earned a 37-21 victory on Sept. 27, 2025. Texas Wesleyan used a strong first half to establish control before holding off the Lions in the second half.
The Rams also defeated Nelson 76-19 at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium in 2024 and recorded a 51-0 victory at Nelson in 2023.
HOMECOMING AT CROWLEY
Saturday's game marks Texas Wesleyan's Homecoming football game and provides the Rams with another opportunity to play in front of their home crowd as the SAC race continues.
Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium has served as the Rams' home venue since 2023. Texas Wesleyan will look to protect its home field while building on its conference-opening victory against Texas College.
THE SAC RACE
With one conference game complete, Texas Wesleyan has an opportunity to move to 2-0 in SAC play with a victory over Nelson. The Rams will continue conference play Oct. 3 at Arkansas Baptist before traveling to Louisiana Christian on Oct. 10.
Texas Wesleyan then returns home Oct. 17 for a non-conference match-up with Mary Hardin-Baylor before resuming SAC play at Langston on Oct. 24.
For Nelson, Saturday represents its third consecutive conference game and its second road SAC contest of the season. The Lions enter Fort Worth following their first victory of 2026.
RAMS CONTINUE DIVISION II TRANSITION
Texas Wesleyan continues its transition toward NCAA Division II membership while competing in the Sooner Athletic Conference during the 2026 season.
The Rams' 2026 schedule includes opponents from multiple levels of college football, providing Texas Wesleyan with additional competition as the program continues through the transition process.
Saturday's Homecoming match-up against Nelson gives the Rams another opportunity to build conference momentum and continue the pursuit of another SAC championship.
WATCH THE RAMS
Fans unable to attend Saturday's Homecoming game can watch the Texas Wesleyan-Nelson match-up live on the Urban Edge Network, the official streaming platform for Sooner Athletic Conference events. The broadcast will provide fans with live coverage of the Rams' Homecoming match-up from Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26.
Texas Wesleyan vs. Nelson
6 p.m. | Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium | Fort Worth, Texas
Watch live on Urban Edge Network & My27
