The Wildcats will travel to San Angelo for their biggest test on the road this season. ACU will play one of its longtime rivals, the Angelo State Rams.

The Wildcats enter the game undefeated at 6-0. The Rams are 5-1 after a loss against Texas State. This year’s matchup is the first time in 12 seasons both teams will enter the game ranked in the top 25. The Wildcats remain second in the nation, while the Rams make their debut in the top 25 for the first time this season at 23. The Wildcats are first in the region poll, and the Rams are ranked No. 7.

“They are a very well rounded team,” said Head Coach Chris Thomsen. “Their quarterback has really made a big difference for them. He is a good football player, and he has pulled everything together for them this season.”

The Wildcats have a history of dominating the Rams, beating them in six of the last seven years. However, the Rams are much stronger this year than in past seasons. Both teams enter Saturday’s matchup unbeaten in conference at 4-0.

The Wildcats are coming off one of their biggest wins of the season against East Central, when they defeated the Tigers 43-6. Red-shirt freshman quarterback Mitchell Gale made his first career start in the blowout victory Saturday. Gale went 20-28 passing and threw for 300 yards. He also had three touchdowns and only one interception, clinching his spot as starting quarterback.

“Mitchell will start, and we will progress through the game and go from there,” Thomsen said.

The defense will be heavily tested again against an offense averaging more than 33 points per game, but the Wildcat defense has allowed only 15.2 points per game. The ‘Cats defense will need to slow the Rams down in order to remain perfect for the season.

The game will kick off at 6 p.m. Saturday in San Angelo.