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GLENDORA, Calif. – The West Texas A&M football team dropped a 28-10 decision in its 2016 season-opener at Azusa Pacific Thursday evening.
WT was led by senior running back Devon Paye who had 62 yards on the ground on 16 carries with a touchdown. Junior quarterback Ethan Brinkley went 29 of 46 for 233 yards and two interceptions, while senior Ja'Quarius Daniels caught 11 passes for 93 yards. Juniors Daelin Young and Trevor Myklebust each had 10 tackles with Young having a game-high seven solo stops and the team with 2.5 tackles for loss for seven yards.
As a team, the Buffs led in first downs (20-17), passing yards (233-68) and total offense (273-242), but a miss handled punt for a safety and two interceptions proved costly, putting the Buffs in a hole which they were unable to recover.
"We had a ton of missed opportunities offensively early," fourth year head coach Mike Nesbitt said. "There were some good to put some points up early and force the tempo of the game. We missed some plays, though our offensive line pass protection was very good. Defensively we left them out there too long – they had 59 plays and we had 71 as there weren't a lot of yards in the game."
The Buffs won the toss and took the ball on the opening possession which resulted in a fumble at the WT 45. The Buffs forced a three-and-out and on their ensuing possession on fourth down, the ball sailed over junior punter John Cummings' head for a safety and a 2-0 APU lead with 10:05 left in the first quarter.
Brinkley's pass was intercepted by Mykal Walker and returned for 12 yards setting the Cougars up at the WT 33 with 7:02 left in the first quarter. From there, APU converted a third and five at the 17 and Kurt Scoby scampered for 12 yards and an 8-0 lead. The ensuing extra-point was blocked by senior LaPear Willrich. WT also missed a 35-yard field goal in the first quarter as well.
In the second, WT got on the board with a 39-yard field goal from senior Conner Hollabaugh who went 1 of 2 in field goals for the game cutting the score to 8-3. APU added a late field goal for an 11-3 halftime lead.
The Cougars marched 58 yards on the opening possession of the third quarter in eight plays for a 21-yard run from Scoby and an 18-3 lead. On the drive, APU converted a key 3rd and 10 for 27 yards on a strike from quarterback Andrew Elffers to Ethan Zeidler to the WT 21.
Following a pair of three-and-outs, WT put together its best drive of the night, going 11 plays for 73 yards and 4:26 as Paye ran from 18-yards out for an 18-10 score with 4:06 left in the quarter. APU added a 45-yard field goal for a 21-10 lead with 1:40 left in the quarter.
In the fourth, WT had a chance to convert a fourth and two from the APU 40, but WT was unable to convert (2 of 4 on 4th down) and APU marched down the field for a 10 play, 60-yard drive for a 28-10 lead with 3:31 left.
Scoby tallied 17 carries for 118 yards and two scores to lead the Cougars. Ellfers went 10 of 18 passing for 68 yards and Zeidler had three catches for 36 yards. Walker had 10 tackles and one INT for the Cougars as APU record four sacks and six tackles for loss with two interceptions for 14 yards.
The Buffs continue their season-long three-game road trip next Saturday at Colorado State-Pueblo at 7 p.m. CT. Fans can access live stats, radio links, audio/video streaming and ticket information at www.gobuffsgo.com.
