Azusa Graphic
24
Winner Azusa Pacific APU 1-0
13
West Texas A&M WT 0-1
Winner
Azusa Pacific APU
1-0
24
Final
13
West Texas A&M WT
0-1
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
APU Azusa Pacific 10 0 7 7 24
WT West Texas A&M 0 0 7 6 13

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Colorado State - Pueblo

9/9/2017 | 6 p.m.

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Sep. 09 (Sat) / 6 p.m.
 Colorado State - Pueblo

Game Recap: Football |

Buffs’ Upset Bid Falls Short in Hughes’ Debut

Box Score

Season Stats

Photo Gallery

THE BASICS:
 
  • Score: #13 Azusa Pacific 24, West Texas A&M 13
 
  • Records: Azusa Pacific, 1-0, West Texas A&M 0-1
 
  • Location: Canyon, Texas (Kimbrough Memorial Stadium)
 
  • The Lead: The West Texas A&M football team battled valiantly, but a fumble scoop-and-score by No. 13 Azusa Pacific with one minute remaining sealed the win for the Cougars in the 2017 opener for both teams Saturday evening at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.  
 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
  • Azusa Pacific scored on its first two possessions with a field goal and a touchdown on its first two drives, but the young Buffs settled down and held APU to just 40 yards in the second quarter after allowing 127 in the first.
 
  • The Buffs had a chance to get on the board right before half, but freshman kicker Alex Schrag's 33-yard field goal sailed wide right.
 
  • After just 52 yards in the first quarter, the Buffs tallied 73 yards in the second quarter with most on the ground as WT 76 yards on the ground for the half and 49 through the air.
 
  • APU had 125 yards through the air as quarterback Andrew Elffers went eight of 12 passing and backup running back Gavin McDaniel had 41 yards and a score on the ground. 2016 starter and All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference performer Kurt Scoby missed the game Saturday.
 
  • WT played much more physical in the second half and sophomore Kevon Thomas took an interception to the house for 36-yards and the first touchdown of the season for the Buffs midway through the third, trailing 10-7.
 
  • Ellfers moved the Cougars right back down the field and found leading receiver Weston Carr for a 27-yard score on the ensuing drive.Carr had nine catches for 161 yards and a score to lead all receivers.Ellfers went 15 of 22 for 236 yards a score and the pick-six.
 
  • Schragg hit two field goals in the fourth to pull WT within 17-13 and began its final drive with 2:42 left.WT leading rusher, junior Warren Witherspoon, had the ball stripped by ASU leading tackler Aaron Berry and Adrian Shocks picked up the ball for the 46-yard return and 24-13 score.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 
  • Despite the loss, the Buffs had 223 yards rushing on 49 carries as Witherspoon had a career-high 138 yards on the ground on 24 carries.He had just 14 yards on the ground at halftime.
 
  • Redshirt freshman quarterback Justin Houghtaling went nine of 21 for 94 yards in his debut as a starter.He had seven rushes for 26 yards, but was sacked three times for 26 yards.
 
  • Defensively junior Chazz Slatinsky paced the Buffs with eight tackles and one breakup, while senior Daelin Young had six tackles with two sacks for 15 yards and three tackles for loss for 16 yards.
 
  • Berry had 16 tackles with 14 solo stops to lead all-tacklers with the forced fumble.Christian Caraveo had five tackles with one sack and two tackles for loss.
 
  • Azusa Pacific improves to 3-1 all-time against WT and has won the last three meetings in the series, including two in Canyon.
 
UP NEXT:
 
  • The Buffs continue at home next Saturday at 6 p.m. at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium against Colorado State-Pueblo.CSUP, ranked 12th in the preseason American Football Coaches Association Poll, won at home on Thursday against Colorado Mines, 38-7.Links for live stats and streaming of the game can be found on the WT men's soccer schedule page at www.gobuffsgo.com. 
 
  • The series with CSUP is tied all-time at 3-3.WT has won the last two meetings, including a 26-10 victory in Pueblo last season.
 
  • WT head coach Hunter Hughes will be facing his old team as he was the defensive coordinator for the ThunderWolves for the past ten years.
 
STAY CONNECTED:
 
  • For the latest on WT Athletics, follow the Buffs/Lady Buffs via social media on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.  Also check back with www.gobuffsgo.com for the latest information on news, statistics, tickets and more on all of West Texas A&M athletics.
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Players Mentioned

Justin Houghtaling

#7 Justin Houghtaling

QB
6' 5"
Redshirt Freshman
Chazz Slatinsky

#28 Chazz Slatinsky

DB
5' 10"
Junior
Kevon Thomas

#24 Kevon Thomas

DB
6' 0"
Sophomore
Warren Witherspoon

#33 Warren Witherspoon

RB
5' 8"
Junior
Daelin Young

#46 Daelin Young

LB
6' 2"
Senior
Alex Schrag

#12 Alex Schrag

K
5' 10"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Justin Houghtaling

#7 Justin Houghtaling

6' 5"
Redshirt Freshman
QB
Chazz Slatinsky

#28 Chazz Slatinsky

5' 10"
Junior
DB
Kevon Thomas

#24 Kevon Thomas

6' 0"
Sophomore
DB
Warren Witherspoon

#33 Warren Witherspoon

5' 8"
Junior
RB
Daelin Young

#46 Daelin Young

6' 2"
Senior
LB
Alex Schrag

#12 Alex Schrag

5' 10"
Freshman
K