CANYON – The Tarleton Texans dropped a tough game in Canyon on Saturday, falling to No. 7 West Texas A&M, 48-17.
The Texans fell to 1-5 on the season and 1-2 in the Lone Star Conference South Division while the Buffaloes improved to 5-1 and 2-0.
With 11:16 remaining in the first quarter, WTAMU's Kelvin Thompson rushed 15 yards to score the first points of the game. Sergio Castillo's kick was good, and the 17-play, 48-yard drive that took 7:16 off the clock put the Buffs ahead, 7-0.
The Texans took the ensuing drive and drove 48 yards on 17 plays that also took 7:16. Blake Wiest hit a 25-yard field goal to cut the lead to four, 7-3.
With 3:17 left in the first quarter, Tevin Mitchell punched it in from the three to cap a nine-play 76-yard drive. Castillo added the extra point to make it 14-3.
Tarleton got inside the Buffs' five-yardline, but the purple and white turned the ball over on downs, and after a Buff penalty backed the home team just inches from their own goal line, Harris found Stephen Burton 25 yards down the field. Burton caught the pass and ran the length of the field for a 99-yard touchdown pass. The kick put the Buffs on top 21-3.
In the opening drive of the second half, the Texan defense forced a fourth down on a dropped pass at the Tarleton 24-yardline, but a flag was thrown on the third down for a late hit. A Texan cornerback who was moving in to make the play if the ball was catched was running full speed and couldn't let up before hitting the receiver. Although Fowler argued the call and a long conference between all the officials at midfield took place, the penalty was sustained, and one play later, Burton caught a touchdown pass. The kick put the home team ahead 28-3 with 11:33 on the clock.
After the Texans were forced to punt, WTAM went into a hurry-up offense for their next several series after leading 28-3. The Texans forced a field goal by Castillo from 21 yards out to go ahead 31-3 with5:15 on the third quarter clock.
Castillo hit a 38-yard field goal with 3:56 left in the third period to give the home team a 34-3 advantage.
On the next Texan drive, Tarleton was driving, but as Stephens was running away from pressure, the ball popped off his leg, and the ball was recovered by the Buffs. The home team drove to the Texan two-yard line and went for it on fourth down, but the Buffs turned the ball over on downs.
After a Texan punt, Stephen Burton returned the kick to the endzone, but a block in the back placed the ball at the 13-yardline. Harris then found Tyson Williams for a 13-yard pass into the endzone with 10:36 on the clock, and the extra point put the Buffs ahead, 41-3.
Dashaun Phillips intercepted a pass from WTAM's Harris and returned it 36 yards for the first Texan touchdown of the game. Wiest added the extra point to cut the lead to 41-10.
On the next drive, the Buffs took the ball 70 yards on four plays when Tanner Marsh found Aarhon Flores for a 36-yard touchdown strike. Castillo's extra point put the score at 48-10.
On the final drive of the game, the Texans' Casey Page handed the ball off five times to move the Texans down the field before he hit Jamal Mays for a 36-yard touchdown pass. Wiest's kick was good, and after a snap to end the game by the Buffs, Tarleton fell 48-17.
There were no stats available at the end of the game. After stats are received, the official totals will be updated on the story and in the statistics folder.
The Texans will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Texas A&M-Commerce
