TAKIN’ NAMES: Above, Cashmin Thomas, senior defensive back, and a herd of buffaloes shut down Tarleton State’s wide receiver, Shamarr Prentice during the Saturday game. The Buffs won 51-0 to bring their record to 10-1 and send them to the NCAA Division II playoffs. Photo by Amanda Garcia.
Jason Poland
Sports Editor
The offense and the defense at WTAMU continued to provide highlight reel material as WT defeated Tarleton State University 51-0 Saturday afternoon at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium in front of 9,416 fans.
WT used its high-octane offense and its bend but don’t break defense to solidify its place among the elite of Division II football.
“We are peaking at the right time on defense,” senior defensive back Darnell Johnson said. “Everyone is coming together at the right time. If we can pitch a shut-out the rest of the way, then we are national champions.”
The defense for WT was able to limit TSU to just 134 yards passing and limited the offense to less than 300 yards for the game.
“Our defense has been good all season,” junior defensive lineman Broderick Marshall said. “It was just a matter of getting it done when we needed to get it done.”
Leading the defensive charge for the Buffaloes was senior linebacker Jared Brock who recorded a team high nine tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss. Brock also forced a fumble by TSU quarterback Scott Grantham while the Texans were on the move and looking tie up the game early in the first quarter.
On the offensive side of the ball sophomore running back Keithon Flemming made a triumphant return to the offensive, after playing in the secondary the last few weeks due to an injured hand.
“It was so good to be back on offense,” Flemming said. “Defense was fun, but I’m a running back.”
Flemming ran through the TSU defense to the tune of 128 yards and two touchdowns. The sophomore electrified the crowd with a burst through the defense for 50 yards and a touchdown in the third quarter. On the 50-yard run Flemming broke four tackles by four different TSU defensemen.
Senior quarterback Keith Null opened up the game for WT by completing 15 of his first 16 passes, leading to four straight scoring drives for the Buffs. In the game Null threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns.
WT will host Central Washington at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.