Senior WTAMU running back Khiry Robinson rushed for 235 yards and three touchdowns in the 38-30 won over Chadron State in Chadron, Nebraska Saturday afternoon. The Buffs advanced to the semifinals in the NCAA Division II tournament and go on the road again to face No. 2 ranked Ashland Saturday Nov. 24 in Ashland, Ohio.
While WT eventually won the game, the Buffs got to a slow start as the Chadron Eagles took an early 14-0 lead after Sophomore quarterback John McLain would rush for one, and then connect with Senior wide receiver Dominic Morris on the 5-yard pass. But the second quarter would be all WT as Robinson would have a TD run with 7:46 left in the first half. Junior quarterback Dustin Vaughan would find fellow Junior wide receiver Jace Jackson in the end zone to tie the game up at 14 all. The Buffs would end the half on a field goal from Junior placekicker Sergio Castillo making the score 17-14 WT going into halftime.
“The wind actually was a big factor in the first half. When we got it, it seemed to help us in the second quarter,” WT head coach Don Carthel said. “Also, we just needed to settle down and play football. We were pretty nervous and jacked up when the game started.”
The Eagles got the ball to start the second half but the Buffs defense would only allow a 39-yard field goal from Chadron Sophomore placekicker Alexander Ferdinand, tying the game at 17 all. After a three-and-out drive by the Buffs, the Eagles got the ball back at their own 25-yard line. But the Buffs defense stepped up again and forced just a 46-yard field goal from Ferdinand, but it would give Chadron the lead 20-17.
“Having won a close game should give us confidence in the future when we get into more tough battles.” Carthel said.
The Buffs would finally answer the two field goal drives, though, with a six-play, 84-yard drive that was capped off by another four-yard touchdown run by Robinson. After the extra point, the score was 24-20 Buffs. After another drive that ended in a field goal for the eagles, Vaughan would find Jackson for a ten-yard pass in the end zone for a touchdown, making the score 31-23. After an Eagle drive that ended in punting, the Buffs got the opportunity to make it a two-score game with 8:01 left on the clock. While eating up 4:39 of the clock, WT capitalized as Robinson would have a big run on a 24-yard carry into the end zone, making the score 38-23. The Eagles got the ball back with 3:14 left to play in the game, and went on a seven-play, 83-yard scoring drive that would make it a one possession game once again off of a touchdown pass from McClain to Junior wide receiver Nathan Ross. The drive only took 1:35.
After recovering the onside kick, Chadron State still had 1:39 to score a touchdown and hope for a successful 2-point conversion. The Buffs defense would make the stop they needed to make as they would stop Eagle Senior wide receiver Allen Schmaltz just short of the first down marker on a fourth-down conversion attempt. The Buffs would take a knee after a Robinson 45-yard run ending the game.
“Our offensive line has done an amazing job all season,” Carthel said. “Our pass protection has been excellent and the run game has come along real well. Khiry is a special back and does not think anyone can tackle him one on one.”
The final score was 38-30. Vaughan finished 19/31 for 269 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Robinson was the leading rusher with a career-high 235 yards and 3 touchdowns. While Jackson led the wide receivers in touchdowns being the only scorer with two, Junior Torrence Allen led the team in receiving yards with 142.
The Buffs go to Ashland, Ohio next Saturday to play No. 2 ranked Ashland University in the semifinals in the NCAA Division II Football tournament. Ashland will be coming off of a first-round bye.
“[The first round bye] should help them heal some injuries. It also gives them an extra week to prepare to play the Buffs.” Carthel said.
