The #8 ranked WT Buffs almost pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the year against #2 Grand Valley State on Thursday night. But, thanks to some late heroics in the 4th quarter by the Lakers, GVSU kept its long winning streak at home alive by winning 34-31. The Lakers have not lost at home since October 2004.
At the end of the first quarter, the buffs were trailing 10-0. But in the second, they responded with big plays at both ends of the field. After a missed field goal by GVSU, WT capitalized. On his first carry as a Buffalo, Tommy Hampton exploded for an 80-yard touchdown the very next play from scrimmage, after the extra point the score was 10-7 with 13:13 left in the second quarter.
After a fourth-and-one stop on their own 15 yard line, the Buffs drove down and tied the game thanks to a 40 yard field goal by Sergio Castillo with 6:52 left to go before halftime. West Texas would get another defensive stop on the next Laker possession and the ensuing drive would deliver. A 6-play, 61-yard drive would culminate with an 11-yard strike to Brittan Golden from Quarterback Taylor Harris for the touchdown making the score 17-10 Buffs with 3:18 left in the first half. GVSU would get a late field goal and make the score 17-13 Buffs at the half.
The second half started just as the first one ended, with a GVSU field goal making the score 17-16 with 10:53 left in the third. WT responded on their next possession, finishing the drive with a 17 yard touchdown pass to Kelvin Thompson making the score 24-16. Neither team would score again in the third quarter setting up an exciting finish.
WT started the fourth quarter going for it on fourth and one but would not convert. GVSU would capitalize on this and score on the ensuing drive, but miss the two-point conversion keeping WT in the lead 24-22. Costly turnovers and miscues doomed the Buffs in the late stages of the fourth. A bad punt would land GVSU with field position at their own 35 yard line with 9:23 left in the game. GVSU QB Kyle McMahon would find Greg Guy for the go ahead score, after another failed two point conversion it was 28-24 Lakers.
Turnovers were costly in this game for WT, and one of them would rear its ugly head on the Buffs next possession. An interception deep inside Buff territory would lead to another touchdown from McMahon making the score 34-24 with 8:40 left in the fourth. GVSU would get yet another interception on the Buffs next drive, but WT struck one last time with a 15 yard run by Kelvin Thompson with 1:53 remaining to make the final score 34-31.
WT QB Harris ended the game 37-53 throwing for 421 yards and two touchdowns along with four interceptions. Tyson Williams led all receivers with 14 receptions for 182 yards. Golden had seven receptions for 103 yards. Hampton accounted for 99 yards rushing and one touchdown while Thompson had 59 yards rushing and two touchdowns (1 receiving, 1 rushing).
West Texas will play next in Weatherford, Okla., Sept. 11th when they face Southwestern Oklahoma State. The Buffs will play their home opener Sept. 18th against Southeastern Oklahoma State.
