WTAMU wins seventh straight Homecoming game

The teams get in position to start the game. Photo courtesy of Eternal Flame.

The No.20 WTAMU Buffalo football team played the Angelo State Rams on Oct.8 for Homecoming. WT’s defense smothered ASU, and allowed the Buffs to pick up a 19-7 victory, the Buffs’ seventh consecutive Homecoming win.

Both teams had trouble getting points in the first half. Rams kicker Jarred Martin missed a 30 yard kick with 8:26 to play in the first half. Then on WT’s ensuing drive, sophomore kicker Sergio Castillo, Jr, missed a 48 yard attempt with 5:04 to go in the second quarter.

“Everything just seemed out of sync tonight for some reason,” Head Coach Don Carthel said.

Brittan Golden lines up at the line of scrimmage. Photo courtesy of Eternal Flame.

However, the Buffs were able to find the end zone before the half. With 2:21 to go, sophomore quarterback Dustin Vaughn hit senior Tommy Hampton on a screen pass. Hampton ran 36 yards for the score, and gave WT a 7-0 lead heading into half time.

“They were a good defense, but we should’ve exploited them a lot more,” senior Brittan Golden said.

The Buffs got a 32 yard field goal from Castillo on their first possession of the second half to boost their lead to 10-0. After Golden had two punt return touchdowns called back on consecutive kicks, junior Khiry Robinson scored on a 23 yard run to make it 17-0 WT with 13:11 left in the game. On the ensuing ASU drive, after the defense forced a three-and-out, sophomore receiver Torrence Allen blocked a punt out of the back of the end zone for a safety that gave WT a 19-0 advantage with 12:16 remaining in the fourth quarter.

WT’s defense was just seconds away from their first shutout since 2008 when the Rams struck. ASU quarterback Jake Strickler found C.J. Akins for a 26 yard touchdown with eight seconds to go. That brought the score to 19-7.

“Anytime you play defense like that you’ve got a good chance to win,” Carthel said.

Vaughn went 12 for 30 passing on the night for 150 yards and one touchdown. Robinson was the Buffs’ leading rusher taking 10 carries for 68 yards and one score. Sophomore Nathan Slaughter led the receivers with four catches for 51 yards. Hampton also had two receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown.

“We knew what to expect, we just didn’t execute,” Allen said.

WT’s next game will be in Abilene, as they travel to face off against the Abilene Christian Wildcats on Oct. 15. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.