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Oct. 17, 2009

Final Stats

 

ABILENE, Texas – There may have been WT teams with better records at this point in the season than what the Buffaloes brought into Saturday’s contest. But, there may never have been a bigger victory than the Buffaloes 32-21 win that was put on #1-ranked Abilene Christian, Saturday afternoon in Abilene, Texas.

Playing with determination, the Buffs, riding the strength of Keithon Flemming’s four-touchdown performance, earned the schools’ first football victory over a number-one ranked team. The WT defense held the Wildcats’ offense, one which was averaging over 419 yards per game, to just 301 total yards. Meanwhile, the WT offense picked up 383 yards, with quarterback Taylor Harris completing 34-of-48 passes for 358 yards without an interception.

The win lifts WTAMU to 3-5 overall, 2-2 LSC South play, while ACU falls to 7-1 overall, 2-1 LSC South.

“This was very sweet,” said WT head coach Don Carthel. “Abilene Christian is a very good football team and had earned that number-one ranking. After going through what we’ve been through earlier in the season, for us to go on the road and get a win like this is really satisfying.

“When Keithon (Flemming) suffered his injury prior to the first game of the season, we basically had to start completely over with our offense.” Carthel continued. “Having him back is obviously a big boost, but it also allows some other guys to perform better, as well.

“Defensively, we’ve been solid for the past five games. I don’t think we could have asked for a better defensive performance than what we displayed today.”

As they have done over the past five games, the Buff defense set the tone early as Shad Baichtal intercepted Abilene Christian’s first play from scrimmage, giving the Buffs the ball at the ACU 36 yard line. The Buffs proceeded to drive deep into ACU territory. A third-and-goal fade pass from Taylor Harris to Brittan Golden was batted away and James Chandler booted a 26-yard field goal to put WT on top, 3-0, just 4:33 into the game.

ACU took the lead, 7-3, with 45 seconds remaining in the first quarter as Reggie Brown went in to the endzone from two yards out, capping an 11 play, 53 yard drive that took 6:04 off the clock.

The Buffs opened the second quarter by driving to the ACU 30, but Chandler missed a 47-yard field goal attempt. WT’s special teams provided the next big play, as punter Tim Cowdrey’s boot was downed inside the ACU 1 yard line.

On the Wildcats’ first play from scrimmage, Shad Baichtal tackled ACU’s Daryl Richardson in the endzone for a safety, pulling the Buffs to within 7-5 with 6:24 remaining in the first half.

On the Buffs’ ensuing drive, Harris connected with Stephen Burton on a 34-yard post route which went to the ACU one yard line. One play later, Keithon Flemming scored to put the Buffs ahead, 12-7.

ACU responded by driving the length of the field, with Daryl Richardson taking it in from one yard out with just 14 seconds remaining in the half, to put ACU back on top, 14-12, as the teams went to the locker rooms.

The Buffs punted on their first possession of the second half, while ACU chewed nearly six minutes off the clock before missing a 29-yard field goal.

WT dented the scoreboard on its second possession of the half, taking possession at their own 20, following the ACU missed field goal. Key plays in the drive were a 26-yard catch and run by Flemming, moving the ball from the WT 34 to the ACU 40 and a third-down, 15 yard pass from Harris to Josephius Martin, moving the ball to the ACU 8 yard line.

From there, Flemming took an 8-yard pass and raced into the endzone, putting the Buffs on top, 18-14. WT failed on the two-point conversion try.

The Wildcats opened the final stanza with a scoring drive of their own, taking the ball 74 yards in 12 plays, with Darryl Richardson running in from four yards out to give ACU the lead, 21-18 with 14:26 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Buff DB Caleb Randolph’s interception of a Mitchell Gale pass at the ACU 29 yard line kept the Buffs’ hopes alive.

From there, Harris hit Tyson Williams for five, eight and four yard gains, then found Burton over the middle for six yards to the ACU four yard line. After an incomplete pass, Flemming went around right end for the four-yard TD run. Chandler’s PAT put the Buffs ahead, 25-21, with 7:49 remaining.

The Buffs held on ACU’s next possession, forcing a punt. That sat up what may have been the Buffs’ biggest drive of the season. Taking over at their own 23, the Buffs methodically marched down field. Harris opened the drive with consecutive passes for eight yards (to Flemming) and nine yards (to Brittan Golden). On first down from the WT 40, Flemming raced around left end for 34 yards, moving the sticks to the ACU 26. On the following play, he gained 11 more yards, setting the Buffs up at the ACU 15. Harris then hit Josephius Martin for six yards. Faced with third-and four from the ACU 9, Harris misfired in the direction of Williams, but the Wildcat defender had ahold of Williams’ jersey, bringing an interference call and giving WT first-and-goal from the ACU 5.

It took three plays, but on third and goal Flemming took a Harris swing pass and went around right end for the game-clinching TD and setting off a wild celebration in amongst the WT fans. Chandler’s kick made the score WT 32, ACU 21.

But, there were still 2:10 remaining on the clock.

After the Wildcats’ fair-caught Chandler’s kickoff at their own 34, they gained 13 yards on their first three snaps.

Then, just as they did at the onset, the Buff defense made a statement. On second-and-10 from the ACU 47, Broderick Marshall sacked Gale for a five-yard loss. On third-and-15, Eugene Sims sacked Gale for an eight-yard loss. And on fourth down, Aaron Wampler made his way through the protection, sacking Gale for a third-consecutive down and giving the ball, and the game, to the Buffs.

Flemming finished the contest with 72 yards on 11 carries, with two TDs. Burton was the Buffs’ leading receiver, with eight catches for 115 yards, while Flemming had eight catches for 101 yards and two TDs. Williams also had eight catches for 64 yards.

Defensively, LB Anthony Scott registered a game-high 11 tackles, while Baichtal and Randolph each recorded interceptions. The Buffs sacked Gale four times, with Sims, Marshall, Wampler and Baichtal bagging QB sacks.

While averaging 36.8 yards per punt, Cowdrey had a long of 45 yards and had one punt downed at the one-yard line, leading to a WT safety.

The Buffs return to Kimbrough Memorial Stadium next Saturday, Oct. 24, when they will close out the home portion of their 2009 schedule by hosting Angelo State. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CDT.