The #9 ranked WT Buffs played against Angelo State squad Sept. 25 in San Angelo.
The Rams fought hard, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Buffs held on for a 37-27 win, giving Coach Don Carthel his 100th career collegiate victory.
WT opened the game with a 10-play 79-yard drive that culminated with a two yard touchdown run from Kelvin Thompson to make it 7-0 Buffs.
ASU responded on their first possession. Tristan Carter dashed 75 yards for the touchdown tying the game at 7-7 with 12:29 left in the first quarter.
Two possessions later, WT retook the lead thanks to a one-yard touchdown run by Tommy Hampton giving the Buffs a 14-7 lead.
After a defensive stop, WT was back on offense. However, ASU Cornerback Brandon Mayse intercepted QB Taylor Harris’ first pass of the drive and returned it 31 yards for the touchdown. The point after attempt was blocked and returned back for two points by Tae Evans making the score 16-13 Buffs at the end of the first quarter.
ASU drove deep into Buffs territory early on in the second quarter. But, Tae Evans intercepted ASU QB Josh Neiswander’s pass in the end zone to end the threat.
On the ensuing drive, the Buffs got all the way down to the ASU 10 yard line. Faced with a fourth down, the Buffs appeared as though they were going to settle for a field goal. But, the Buffs faked the field goal and holder Tim Cowdrey found Jay Tillman for the touchdown making the score 23-13 after the extra point with 5:39 left in the first half.
On the Rams next possession, WT DB Caleb Randolph intercepted Neiswander’s pass and return it 48 yards for the touchdown increasing the Buffs lead to 30-13.
Just before halftime, WT would strike again as Tillman got his second touchdown of the night, this one from two yards out to give the Buffs a 37-13 lead at the half.
With 5:14 left in the third quarter, ASU’s Dakarai Pecikones fielded Tim Cowdrey’s punt and handed off to Garrett Tidwell on a reverse. Tidwell ran 55 yards for the touchdown cutting the lead to 37-20.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, ASU struck again. This time it was Tristan Carter getting his second touchdown of the night from six yards out to make the score 37-27 Buffs with 14:54 left in the game.
WT’s defense held ASU at bay for the rest of the game, getting big stops all throughout the fourth quarter to secure the victory for the Buffs.
QB Taylor Harris went 29-55 passing for 320 yards and three interceptions. Kelvin Thompson had 20 carries for 127 yards rushing and one touchdown. Tommy Hampton compiled 51 yards rushing and one touchdown, while Jay Tillman had 37 yards rushing and two total touchdowns.
Stephen Burton had 94 yards receiving and Tyson Williams had 75 yards receiving. The Buffs improved their record to 3-1 overall and 3-0 in LSC play. They will stay on the road as they travel to Tahlequah, Okla., to face Northeastern State on Saturday with kickoff scheduled for noon.
