Early deficit too much for WT to overcome

The #14 ranked WTAMU football team made its return to the NCAA playoffs Nov. 20 against #8 ranked Central Missouri at Walton Stadium in Warrensburg, Mo.

UCM proved to be rude hosts for the Buffs as they served up a 55-35 defeat, ending WT’s season in the process. 

The Mules took it to WT early as they marched down the field on their opening possession 79 yards in nine plays culminating with a five-yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Eri Czerniewski to Seth Mason making it 7-0 Mules with 10:51 left in the first quarter. 

Things went from bad to worse on UCM’s second possession as Czerniewski hit receiver Anthony Stewart in stride for a 48-yard touchdown pass increasing the lead to 14-0 with 9:46 left in the quarter. 

WT tried to put something together on the ensuing possession but the drive eventually stalled and the Buffs were forced to punt.  UCM then drove 73 yards on 11 plays to make it 21-0 after a three yard touchdown pass this time to Jamorris Warren.

On the next possession for the Buffs, Quarterback Taylor Harris found Wide Receiver Stephen Burton for a 22-yard pass that placed the ball at the UCM 25-yard line.  With that 22 yard completion, Harris became the all-time leader for WT in career passing yards.  But, the drive was interrupted when Paul Stephens intercepted Harris in the end zone for UCM. At the end of the first quarter WT was staring at a 21-0 deficit. 

WT started the second quarter with some momentum forcing a punt from UCM at the 11:29 mark.  However, the ensuing drive stalled and the Buffs were forced to give the ball back to the Mules. 

UCM struck again with 5:27 left before halftime when Brent Boehringer scored from one-yard out to make it a 28-0 lead for the Mules. 

WT finally got on the board with 1:48 left in the quarter when Harris found Burton from 14 yards out to make it a 28-7 game. 

However, UCM got one more before halftime as Czerniewski found Mason from 10-yards out to extend the Mules’ lead to 35-7 at the break. 

The second half started out just as bad as the first did for WT.  Harris was intercepted by Joseph Bengali.  Then, four plays later Anthony Stewart scored from one-yard out to make it 42-7 with 12:45 left in the third quarter. 

The Buffs finally found some life at the 7:38 mark when Harris found Brittan Golden from 16-yards out for the touchdown making the score 42-14. 

However, Stewart made sure the joy was short lived as he would punch it in from 16 yards out for the touchdown with 4:26 left in the third. 

WT wouldn’t go quietly though as Golden got his second touchdown reception of the game at the 2:48 mark when he broke loose for a 57-yard touchdown making the score 49-21. 

But, just as it looked like the Buffs were going to mount a comeback, Stephens put the nail in the coffin as he returned an interception 52 yards to give the Mules a 55-21 lead going into the fourth quarter. 

The fourth quarter was all WT.  At the 13:02 mark Harris connected with Aarhon Flores from 15 yards out for the touchdown making the score 55-28. 

WT got one more back when redshirt freshman Trevor Hammergren blocked a punt late on and recovered it for the touchdown making the final score 55-35.

QB Taylor Harris went 35-66 passing on the day for 495 yards and four touchdowns along with three interceptions.  Junior Wide Receiver Brittan Golden caught eight passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns.  Senior Stephen Burton had eight catches for 95 yards and one touchdown on the day. 

Harris finishes his career with 9,799 yards passing and 9,515 yards of total offense, both of which put him at the top of both categories.  He also passed for 4,806 yards this season which ranks as the second-highest season total in Buff history. 

WT will graduate 12 seniors from this 2010 squad that will look to make another run towards a national title in 2011.