Justin Parker
Prairie reporter

The WTAMU Buffaloes added another notch to the win column Saturday, with a 59-9 victory over the Northeastern State Riverhawks. WT also moved one step closer to a playoff birth.

The Buffs had a strong showing on both sides of the ball with the offense racking up 452 total yards, while the defense held the Riverhawks’ offense to 211 yards.

Keith Null and Carl Johnson headed up the offensive attack and Jared Brock led the defense with 11 tackles and a blocked field goal.

Null threw for 261 yards and four touchdowns.

Johnson caught two TD passes and racked up 119 receiving yards.

The Buffs’ offense took to a slow start as Null fumbled on the first drive of the game, resulting in a Northeastern field goal.
WT would match the Riverhawks’ field goal on their next drive to bring the score to 3-3.

After exchanging punts, the Buffs’ offense capitalized on great field position courtesy of a partially blocked punt by Keyon Kiles.

Null found Carl Johnson from 14 yards out to bring the score to 10-3 in favor of WT.

On the Riverhawks’ next drive, the Buffs’ defense forced a three-and-out punt that gave the Buffs the ball on the NSU 13 yardline.

The WT offense made quick work of their possession, scoring on the first play of the drive.

Null hooked up with Johnson again to give WT a 17-3 first quarter lead.

Northeastern scored its only touchdown early in the second quarter cutting the Buffs’ lead to 17-9.

The Buffs’ failed to convert a fourth-and-one on their next drive and turned the ball over on downs.

WT’s defense stepped up and forced another three-and-out punt from the Riverhawks.

On the ensuing possession, Null hooked up with Johnson for 33 yards, setting up a 10-yard touchdown run from Wayne McKnight.

The TD brought the Buffs’ lead to 24-9.

Eldon Grimslid picked off a pass at the NSU 8, ending the Riverhawks’ next drive.

The offense again made quick work of the turnover as Null found Anthony Clark on a six-yard touchdown pass.
NSU was forced to punt, yet again, by the Buffs’ defense.

WT added its second touchdown in just over a minute when Null found Charly Martin for a 60-yard score to give the Buffs a 38-9 halftime lead.

Martin is now only one TD reception from breaking the WT school record and two shy of breaking the LSC record for single season touchdown receptions.

Also, he is now only three catches from breaking the school record for career receptions.

On the first two possessions of the second half, both teams were forced to punt.

Then, NSU missed a 32-yard field goal, giving the Buffs the ball on their own 20-yard line.

The Buffs took the possession and marched 70 yards to pay dirt as Jay Tillman ran in from 7 yards out to increase the WT lead to 45-9.

Jared Brock blocked a 32-yard field goal attempt by NSU midway through the fourth quarter, but the offense was unable to capitalize on the blocked kick.

On the Riverhawks’ next possession, WT’s Maurice Caldwell recovered a fumble forced by Keithon Flemming for a touchdown.

The Buffs then led 52-9.

WT showed off some of its young offensive talent as freshman backup quarterback Brandon Hicks hit freshman wide receiver Cornelius Robertson on a 50-yard bomb for a touchdown.

The teams ended the game exchanging punts and a final score of 59-9.

The Buffs will look to continue their run at the playoffs this Saturday at home against No. 20 Tarleton State.

The game will have huge playoff implications. The winner will undoubtedly get a playoff bid, while the loser could possibly be sitting at home next week.

Kickoff will be at 3 p.m. at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.