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Sept. 19, 2009

Final Stats

Weatherford, Okla. – The West Texas A&M Buffaloes found their magic elixir Saturday night as they earned their first win of the season, taking a 41-15 victory over Southwestern Oklahoma State, Saturday night in Weatherford, Okla.

The win, the Buffs’ first of the season, improves WT to 1-3, 1-1 LSC, while SWOSU falls to 0-4, 0-2 LSC.

The game saw the WT offense click for the first time this season, as the Buffs compiled 547 total yards. 172 came on the ground, with RB Kelvin Thompson accounting for a career-high 132 on 17 carries. The Mineral Wells, Texas, junior scored two touchdowns during what was the second 100-yard performance of his career.

WT’s defense held the Bulldogs to just 17 net rushing yards, the lowest opponent total since the Buffs held Angelo State to just 15 yards on Oct. 25, 2008. The Buffs also registered six sacks for minus 49 yards, after entering the contest having totalled just one sack. Leading that defensive effort was OLB Bryan Braman, who logged four tackles, all behind the line of scrimmage (including three QB sacks), while also intercepting a pass.

The Buffs, looking for an early spark, received the first of several big plays by their defensive unit when Curtis Jefferson picked up a SWOSU fumble at midfield and returned it to the Bulldog 34 yard line. The Buffs’ offense moved to the Bulldog 3, but had to settle for a 20-yard field goal by James Chandler.

The Bulldogs then received a break. Buff QB Taylor Harris found WT Stephen Burton for a short gain, but Burton fumbled as he was hit and SWOSU recovered at the WT 47-yard line. Five plays later, Chad McIntosh pushed a 34-yard field goal attempt wide to the right. The Buffs held a 3-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

They boosted that margin to 10-0 on the first play of the second quarter, as Harris found WT Brittan Golden streaking down the middle of the field for an 80-yard TD strike, WT’s longest play of the season.

After the Buff defense forced a SWOSU punt from deep in Bulldog territory, Harris again found Golden, this time for 45 yards, moving the Ball to the SWOSU 2-yard line. Thompson then took it up the middle for the touchdown, boosting the Buff lead to 17-0 with 12:13 remaining in the first half.

On the Bulldogs’ next possession, the Buff defense again stepped up. Consecutive sacks by LB Mark Ford and OLB Bryan Braman forced another SWOSU punt from deep in their own territory. A wobbly McIntosh punt died at the WT 49.

Thompson ripped off consecutive runs totaling 24 yards, moving the ball to the SWOSU 26. On 3rd and seven from the 24, Harris found Tyson Williams for six yards. On 4th and 1, Thompson barreled up the middle for 17 yards and a WT touchdown, giving the Buffs a 24-0 lead.

Again, the Buff defense stepped up. Heavy pressure by the WT defensive line saw DT Marcus Rowe deflect a Day pass which was intercepted by LB Bryan Braman at the SWOSU 18. On first down of the ensuing possession, Thompson went off tackle for six yards. The next play saw him score from four-yards out, boosting WT’s advantage to 31-0. Those 31 points marked the most the Buffs’ had scored to this point of the season, and there were still 4:50 to play in the first half.

The Buff defense then forced the Bulldogs to turn the ball over on downs. The Buffs then ran the remaining time off the clock and took a 31-0 lead into the locker room.

To that point, the Buffs had amassed 321 yards in total offense, more than they’ve gained in all but one game to this point. Meanwhile, WT’s defense had held the Bulldogs to just 52 yards, a number which included minus-15 yards rushing. The Buffs took the opening kickoff of the half and compiled a drive which resulted in a Chandler 34-yard field goal, giving the Buffs a 34-0 lead.

With 8:59 to play, Bulldog LB John Kaye stepped in front of a Harris pass and returned the interception to the WT 5. On first down, SWOSU RB Daniel Barwick went around right end for the score, putting the Bulldogs on the board and making the score 34-7.

Following a WT punt, Buff DB Tae Evans nabbed a Day pass, returning it into Bulldog territory. An illegal block moved the ball back, giving the Buffs possession at the WT 35 yard line. Tanner Marsh came on at quarterback for the Buffs, guiding them downfield. A key, 21-yard, third-down completion to A.J. Ruffins moved the Buffs into the red zone. Marsh then connected with Golden to the SWOSU 2, setting up first-and-goal. Freshman RB Tevin Mitchell dove in over left tackle, making the score 40-7. The score was the first of Mitchell’s collegiate career.

At the end of three quarters, WT held a comfortable, 41-7, lead.

At the 10:55 mark, SWOSU scored their second touchdown when Dashon Carter-Mayes went in from five yards out. WT’s Broderick Marshall got a hand on the ensuing PAT, but the ball was deflected to holder Cody Gragg, who picked up the ball and tossed it to Jody Sawyer for the two-point conversion to make the score WT 41, SWOSU 15.

Harris finished the night having completed 20-of-31 passes for 259 yards and one TD. Marsh was 13-of-27 for 116, while Brandon Hicks entered the game late but did not complete his only attempt.

Thompson led all rushers with his 132 yards on 17 carries, while Mitchell gained 33 yards on seven carries.

Thompson led all Buff receivers with six catches for 39 yards, while Burton and Tyson Williams each had five catches. Golden had a career-high 137 receiving yards on the night.

SWOSU’s Steve Day completed 22-of-42 passes for 140 yards and was intercepted twice.

The Buffs next contest will be Saturday, Sept. 26, when they host LSC South-member Texas A&M-Kingsville. Kickoff at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium is set for 6 p.m. CDT.