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Oct. 3, 2009

Final Stats

WICHITA FALLS, Texas – A rainy, windy night saw the West Texas A&M Buffaloes fall to 23rd-ranked Midwestern State, 31-19, Saturday night at Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas.

The loss drops WT to 1-4, 0-2 LSC South, while Midwestern State improves to 5-1, 1-1 LSC South.

The Buffs again received a strong performance from their defensive unit, as they held a Midwestern State offense which was among the top offenses in the country below their season average. However, missed opportunities by the Buffs’ in the red zone thwarted any opportunity they had for a win.

“We had too many missed opportunities,” said WT head coach Don Carthel. “That’s been our downfall the past few weeks. Our defense is playing their butts off, but we just can’t put the ball in the end zone.”

“Tonight was a physical ball game. We got banged up, but you just have to deal with that. The bottom line is that we squandered too many opportunities inside the red zone. We’ve got to be more consistent.”

With a steady drizzle falling from the outset, the Buffs’ defense did their part early, holding the Mustangs to a three-and-out. When punter Jose Martinez muffed the snap, the WT pressure forced him to attempt a rugby-style kick, resulting in a minus-two yard kick, giving the Buffs their first possession at the MSU 39.

With a drizzle falling, it took seven plays for the Buffs to go 39 yards and hit paydirt, as Taylor Harris found inside receiver Jeremy Watson with a short, two-yard, touchdown pass. James Chandlers’ PAT was good, giving the Buffs an early, 7-0, lead with 10:29 to play in the first quarter. The catch was Watson’s first career TD reception.

On MSU’s second possession, the Buffs again brought the pressure, with DE Eugene Sims batting down one pass and teammate Bryan Braman recording a third-down sack on Mustang QB Zack Eskridge to force a punt. The Mustangs next possession saw MSU drive 50 yards in six plays, with Eskridge finding WR Andy Tanner for a 10-yard TD pass. Martinez’ kick tied the score, 7-7, with 3:20 to play in the first quarter.

A 16-yard pass from Harris to WR AJ Ruffins, moving the ball near midfield sparked the next Buff drive. Harris then connected with TE Tyson Williams for a 30-yard gain to the 19. The drive stalled, and Chandler booted a 29-yard field goal to put the Buffs ahead, 10-7 with just 23 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

A Martinez 46-yard field goal early in the second quarter had the distance but went wide right.

As the rainfall became steadier, the Mustangs attempted a fourth-and-one from the WT 22, but WT cornerback Tae Evans stepped in front of Eskridge’s pass at the 15, making the interception and returning it to the MSU seven yard line.

Kelvin Thompson rushed for five yards on sec on second down and was stuffed on a third down attempt, bringing on Todd Phillips, subbing for James Chandler, to attempt a 21-yard field goal. The kick went wide, keeping the score, 10-7, WT.

An apparent fumble recovery by WT LB Anthony Scott was ruled to be an incomplete MSU pass. On the next play, Eskridge was sacked by Sims, forcing a fumble, which DT Broderick Marshall recovered at the MSU 17.

Again, the Buffs resorted to a field goal. This time, Phillips attempted a 20-yard effort. With the rain coming down harder and the wind swirling, he boosted WT’s advantage to 13-7 with 3:18 remaining in the half.

A last-minute MSU drive bogged down at the WT 10, with Martinez booting a 18-yard field goal to send the teams into the locker rooms with the Buffs leading, 13-10.

WT opened the second half just as they did the first, by driving the length of the field for a touchdown.

The drive began with Jeremy Watson returning the kick 22 yards. However, the Buffs were whistled for a hold on the play, backing the ball up to the WT 12. Watson, among the national leaders in return yardage, was injured on the play and would not return to action. Kelvin Thompson’s four-yard sweep around left end put the Buffs’ ahead, 19-10 and capped an 11-play, 88-yard drive.

The Mustangs’ reacted by mounting a 62-yard touchdown drive of their own. Eskridge scored on a keeper from five yards out, narrowing the Buff lead to 19-17 with 7:59 remaining in the third quarter.

Following a Tim Cowdrey punt, MSU continued to mesh, offensively. A 17-yard Marcus Mathis sweep around right end capped a five-play, 74-yard drive. Martinez’ PAT put the Mustangs ahead for the first time, 24-19, with 3:59 left to play in the third quarter.

As the fourth quarter began, the WT defense forced an MSU punt. Unable to move the ball, MSU’s Pat Gardner blocked Cowdrey’s punt attempt, with the Mustangs recovering the ball at the WT 9-yard line.

Playing with a short field, Eskridge found Andy Tanner on a third-down pass from eight yards out, lifting the Mustangs to a 31-19 lead with 12:01 remaining.

The Buffs fought back. A clutch, fourth-and five pass from Harris to WR Brittan Golden kept alive a drive and moved the Buffs to the MSU 25. Two plays later, Golden was mugged on a pass route near the goal line, giving the Buffs first-and-goal from the MSU 10. On first down, Harris, under heavy pressure, threw a pass into the end zone which was picked-off by Mustang FS Danny Jackson.

The Buffs gained 370 total yards, with Harris completing 30-of-55 passes for 320 yards, with one TD and two interceptions. His favorite receiver was Kelvin Thompson, who had nine catches for 77 yards. Tyson Williams grabbed seven passes for 77 yards.

Thompson also gained 79 rushing yards and one TD on 18 carries.

MSU gained 386 yards, nearly 30 yards below their season average.

Eskridge completed 19-of-28 passes for 235 yards, two TDs and had one interception. Andy Tanner was on the receiving end of 11 passes for 140 yards and two TDs.

Marcus Mathis rushed for 81 yards on 22 carries with one TD.

The Buffs celebrate Homecoming, next Saturday, Oct. 10, when they host Eastern New Mexico. The Battle for the Wagon Wheel is set to kick off at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium is set for 6 p.m. CDT.