The West Texas A&M Buffaloes marched down the field on their closing possession of the game looking to tie the score but a late interception clinched a 24-17 Lone Star Conference victory for the #23 Falcons of UT Permian Basin at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium in Canyon.
The Falcons made the first big play of the game on WT’s opening possession as McKyle So’oto picked off a pass to setup a 65-yard drive capped off by a Tre Brown 31-yard touchdown catch from Nate TenBarge for the 7-0 lead. WT responded later in the quarter with a Contae Cason two-yard rushing touchdown to make it 7-7.
UTPB retook the lead on their first possession of the second quarter as TenBarge called his own number from four yards out for the 14-7 advantage headed into the locker room. The Buffs cut into the lead to start the third quarter as a successful replay review kept their drive alive to setup a 28-yard field goal by Alan Anaya at 14-10.
The Falcons responded on their next drive as a costly penalty on a fourth-down punt kept the ball with UTPB leading to a one-yard rushing score by Khalil Eichelberger at 21-10. WT cut into the lead again just two plays into the fourth quarter as Knox Porter dropped a perfect pass under pressure to Joseph White in the back of the end zone from 34 yards out to make it 21-17.
UT Permian Basin would score the final points of the game on their next possession as they marched 71 yards on 13 plays capped off by a 22-yard field goal from Diego Chavarria. The Buffs got the ball back with 1:47 on the clock as they made things interesting highlighted by a 34-yard catch by Antoine Sullivan over the middle but a Nicholas Butler interception three plays later gave UTPB the 24-17 road win.
Porter completed 26-of-52 passes for 287 yards and a touchdown along with an interception and 25 net rushing yards. Contae Cason rushed for 14 yards on seven carries with a score while J.B. Mitchell III caught six passes for a team-best 91 yards. Camden Raymond led the Buffs with seven total tackles followed by Tyler Davis and Johnny Taylor III with six each.
The Buffs hit the road next Saturday as they make their way to Portales, New Mexico for the annual Wagon Wheel Game, kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. CT at Steve Loy Family Foundation Field.