While the West Texas A&M football team endured a rough start to their 2014 season against CSU-Pueblo, the Buffs return for a home tilt against Lone Star Conference rival Tarleton State on Sept. 13. Even though the Buffs were held without a touchdown for the first time since 2005, the team remains optimistic going into their home opener.
“We have to focus on this game and put [CSU-Pueblo] behind us,” senior linebacker Torian Oakley said. “We just have to move forward and get better for this week.”
Oakley had five tackles while capturing in interception against the Thunderwolves last week.
As WT attempts to rebound on their young season, they face off against a Texans squad who opens its season with a road trip into Kimbrough Memorial Stadium. Last year, Tarleton scored 28 points in the second half to defeat the Buffs, 31-27.
“I know that they’re going to be a tempo team,” Head Coach Mike Nesbitt said of Tarleton’s offense. “They were really good at tempo last year with over 90 some odd plays and they’re going to force us to play fast.”
As Tarleton returns more than 20 starters to their squad from last season’s Lone Star Conference championship squad, Nesbitt also noted that the Texans picked up transfer Eric Mathews from Memphis.
However, the Buffs are undeterred of the looming opponent ahead.
“Saturday is an important game, just because it’s the next game on the schedule,” junior wide receiver Dimitri Donald said.
Donald also mentioned that the offense will be just fine as an offense heading into the game against Tarleton.
Although the WT offense was held to six points, junior quarterback Preston Rabb was able to move the ball well in the Buffs’ early season test, completing 25 of 49 passes for 208 yards.
“It’s going to be same kind of environment [as the last game],” sophomore linebacker Patric Youngman said of the upcoming game against their LSC opponent. “Tarleton’s going to be ready to play because they haven’t played yet.”
The Buffs will look to notch their first win of the season in Kimbrough on Saturday at 7 p.m.