PHOTO | FRANKIE SANCHEZ
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The West Texas A&M Buffaloes claimed the Wagon Wheel trophy for the fifth-consecutive time on Oct. 10 at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.
The Buffs defeated the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds, 34-24 in the Lone Star Conference matchup. The win elevates WT’s overall record to 2-5 (1-2 LSC South), while ENMU drops to 2-5 overall (0-3 LSC South).
“For me in particular that is my alma mater, and its fun to compete against them,” Don Carthel, head coach, said. “We knew it was going to be a war. We didn’t know if we were going to be able to get a win or not, but we’re very thankful we did.”
The Buffs scored first on a one-yard run by running back Keithon Flemming, taking the lead, 7-0. This was Flemming’s first appearance in the regular season due to a dislocated elbow injury he suffered in the preseason.
“The team responds to Keithon,” Carthel said. “He’s a team leader. Those little things he brings to the table are good. Begin able to break tackles is really huge too.”
ENMU answered to Flemming’s score with 3:36 remaining in the first quarter when running back Terrence Griffin tied the game at 7-7 with a two-yard touchdown run.
Early in the second quarter, the Greyhounds took the lead after place kicker Taylor Cannon booted a 21-yard field goal; giving the Greyhounds the three-point lead.
The Buffs responded with a 65-yard pass from Harris to wide receiver Brittan Golden. The play put the Buffs ahead, 14-10 with 14:05 remaining in the first half.
“We had some great fans out there,” Carthel said. “Everyone likes the long pass and we got a couple of them out there. Its tough to drive the ball consistently against these guys.”
PHOTO | FRANKIE SANCHEZ - Buffs came out in the cold to cheer on their team.
Next, it was the Buffs defense that took control and forced a fumble recovering the ball on the ENMU 43-yard-line. The turnover led to place kicker James Chandler kicking a 42-yard field goal to extend the Buff’s lead, 17-10 with 6:32 remaining.
“On the defensive side we did good,” Curtis Jefferson, center back, said. “We finally played four quarters. I’m very pleased with the outcome of the game, but we’re never satisfied. We have to keep working hard.”
The Buffs continued to ride their momentum as Harris completed a 60-yard catch to redshirt freshman Josephius Martin; giving the Buffs the 24-10 lead with 1:39 left in the first half.
Some say getting younger players into the game, such as Martin, is preparing the Buffs for their future.
“They’re getting experience at a young age,” Jefferson said. “Next year they know what to expect and what they’re getting themselves into.”
The second half was a similar story as the first with the Buffs defense making plays.
Jefferson intercepted a pass on the 26-yard-line to gives the Buffs the ball with 9:19 remaining in the third quarter.
The Buffs expanded their lead later after a 12-yard pass from Harris to Flemming. The score put the Buffs ahead, 31-10.
But the Greyhounds weren’t finished just yet. Greyhounds quarterback J. J. Harp connected with wide receiver Dominic Preston closing the gap 31-17 with 6:54 remaining.
With 4:58 left in the game, Chandler booted another field goal to give the Buffs a 12-point lead, 34-17.
The Greyhounds cut the score to a ten-point deficit after a 21-yard connection from Harp to Preston to finish the game, 34-24.
Harp finished the game with 245 yards and two touchdowns for the Greyhounds. Griffin led the rushing game with 57 yards.
Harris notched 371 yards and three touchdowns to finish the night. Flemming gained 101 yards and two touchdowns to aid the Buffs to victory.
The next contest for the Buffs will be Oct. 17 as they head south to face #1-ranked Abilene Christian Wildcats.
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. from Shotwell Stadium in Abilene.