The No.25 WTAMU Buffalo football team closed out their regular season by traveling to Wichita Falls to play the No. 24 Midwestern State Mustangs as part of the inaugural year of the Highway 287 Challenge Cup. WT snapped a two-game losing streak against MSU and earned their first win at Memorial Stadium since Oct. 6, 2007 with a 19-12 victory.
The first half was all about defense and the kicking game, as zero touchdowns were scored in the first three quarters of the game. Senior Sergio Castillo, Jr. opened the scoring for the Buffs with a 20-yard field goal that put WT ahead 3-0 with 8:39 remaining in the first quarter. The Mustangs would answer with a 39-yard field goal by Greg Saladino, tying the game 3-3 after the opening quarter.
Despite a late first quarter interception by senior quarterback Dustin Vaughn, MSU’s offense was unable to capitalize. The Buffs offense, however, would get two field goals in the second quarter, a 46-yarder and a 43-yarder following an interception by senior John McSheffery to give WT a 9-3 halftime lead.
The Buffs outgained the Mustangs 163 yards to 118 yards in the first half. WT had 144 passing first half passing yards to only 24 yards by MSU. However, the Mustangs out-rushed the Buffs 94 yards to only 19 yards.
A 41-yard field goal by Saladino with 10:46 left was the only scoring in the third quarter, cutting MSU’s deficit to 9-6 heading into the fourth quarter. The Buffs would increase their lead to 12-6 with 11:45 to play in the game on a 47-yard field goal by Castillo. McSheffery’s second interception of the game and the season with 9:35 on the clock would set up the game’s first touchdown.
On WT’s ensuing drive, Vaughn would make a run for the end zone but have the ball knocked loose at the goal line, to be recovered by senior Torrence Allen to put the Buffs in front 19-6 with 6:17 to go in the game. The Mustangs would also find the end zone on a one-yard run by Keidrick Jackson but the point after attempt would be blocked leaving MSU behind 19-12 with 1:31 remaining on the clock. Despite recovering an onside kick and starting at their own 47-yard line, the Mustangs would not have enough time left to make a comeback.
WT would finish the game with 315 yards of total offense compared to MSU’s 284. The Buffs held a 250-161 advantage in the passing game, but the Mustangs rushed for 123 yards against WT’s 65 yards.
Vaughn finished the afternoon 23-of-46 passing for 250 yards and two interceptions with no touchdowns for the first time this season. Senior Aaron Harris led the ground attack with 13 carries for 38 yards. Allen led the receivers with seven catches for 94 yards and senior Nathan Slaughter had five receptions for 50 yards.
The Buffs close the regular season with a 9-2 record and 4-2 mark in Lone Star Conference action. WT will make the playoffs as the sixth seed and travel to Indianapolis on Nov. 23 for their first round matchup. Kickoff time is at 11 a.m. local time.
