The #17 ranked WT Buffs celebrated Pink Out night by getting an upset victory over #13 ranked Midwestern State Oct. 23 at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.
MSU struck first with a 40-yard field goal from Jose Martinez with 2:33 left in the first quarter.
WTAMU couldn’t do anything offensively on the ensuing possession and were forced to punt. Kevin VonVoris pinned the Mustangs deep in their own territory at the one yard line. MSU went three and out on their possession and punted the ball away with Stephen Burton fielding the ball at the 42 yard-line for the Buffs.
On the ensuing possession WT drove 42 yards in six plays with the drive being finished off by a six-yard strike from quarterback Taylor Harris to Tyson Williams making the score 7-3 with just 43 seconds left in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Buffs defense stormed into action. MSU Quarterback Jake Eskridge’s pass deflected off Wide Receiver Justin Rideau’s hands and be intercepted by Curtis Jefferson, who then ran 59 yards for the touchdown. After Sergio Castillo’s PAT the score was 14-3 Buffs with 12:11 left in the first half.
MSU punted again on their next possession, giving the ball back to WT. The Buffs drove 53 yards in nine plays with Tommy Hampton catching an 11-yard pass from Harris to make the score 21-3 with 6:47 left in the second quarter. This score remained until halftime.
WT came out in the third quarter firing on all cylinders as they went on a 10-play 82-yard drive that culminated with Harris finding Stephen Burton for a 36-yard touchdown making the score 28-3 with 10:05 left in the second half.
Midwestern attempted to respond on their next possession, but Eskridge was intercepted for the second time in the game this time by Tae Evans. WT turned this turnover into points as they drove 83 yards in 11 plays with Harris finishing the drive by finding Brittan Golden from 24-yards out for the touchdown. After Castillo’s PAT the score was 35-3 with 3:03 left in the third quarter.
MSU finally got back on the scoreboard with 44 seconds left in the quarter as Eskridge connected with David Little from 22 yards out for the touchdown. A failed two-point conversion made the score 35-9. Just 12 seconds later, Midwestern struck again when Zack Brackett intercepted Harris’ pass and returned it 20 yards for the touchdown making the score 35-15 after the missed PAT going into the fourth quarter.
On the ensuing possession, Harris was hit and fumbled the ball with MSU recovering at their own 29-yard line. WT got the ball right back when Jordan Smith intercepted Eskridge’s pass, giving him his first three interception game of his career.
WT took advantage of the short field to extend their lead when Tommy Hampton capped off the six play drive with a three yard touchdown run making the score 42-15 after the PAT.
With less than six minutes left in the game, Midwestern struck again. Eskridge found Justin Rideau for a two yard touchdown making the score 42-22. MSU got one more score as Eskridge connected with Rideau again this time from 16 yards out to make the score 42-29 with 4:04 left in the game. Eskridge was picked off one more time as the Buffs sealed the victory late in the fourth.
WT QB Taylor Harris was 41-60 passing for 410 yards and four touchdowns. He moved into second place all time with 8,076 passing yards. Harris is only the second player in WT history to eclipse the 8,000 passing yard mark.
WR Stephen Burton caught seven passes for a game-high 139 yards and one touchdown. Tyson Williams had 79 yards receiving with one touchdown and Brittan Golden also had one touchdown along with 51 yards receiving.
WT will now travel to face Incarnate Word on Oct. 30th for their first ever meeting against the Cardinals. Kickoff is set for 2:05 P.M. from Tom Benson Stadium.
