CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M recorded a season-high 496 total yards of offense including 263 on the ground in their 45-21 victory over Western New Mexico in a Lone Star Conference showdown on Saturday evening at Buffalo Stadium. The Buffs improve to 3-1 on the season and 7-3 all-time against the Mustangs.
After going three-and-out on their first drive of the game, WT went 72 yards on eight plays on their second drive to take a 7-0 lead with 6:37 remaining in the first quarter. Logan Vallo rushed for a season-long 27 yards on the first play of the drive followed by a 12-yard completion from Nick Gerber to Chase Sojka. Gerber would connect with Sojka again, this time of 16 yards on 4th-and-5. Vallo would finish the drive with his second rushing touchdown of the season from seven yards out. WT would add to their lead on the next possession on a 27-yard field goal from Mauricio Gonzalez.
The Buffs would add another touchdown before the end of the first quarter when Gerber hit Juwan McCall in stride for a 55-yard touchdown. Gerber ran for 10 yards on the opening play of the drive before connecting with McCall for the second straight week to make it 17-0 with eight seconds left in the first period.
Gerber showed off his versatile in the second quarter with a punt that was downed at the Mustangs' 1-yard line. The redshirt sophomore would lead the Buffs down the field for their third touchdown of the first half on the next possession to make it 24-0. Vallo ran for 10 yards on 3rd-and-2 to extend the drive before Gerber scored his third rushing touchdown of the season on 4th-and-2 from the Mustang 4-yard line.
WNMU got on the board on their first drive of the second half after getting great possession following a Buff fumble. The Mustangs would convert on 4th-and-1 followed by a 20-yard touchdown pass from CJ Fowler to Josh Powell. WT would respond their next drive with a Duke Carter IV touchdown to restore the 24-point lead. The senior running back carried the ball five times for 42 yards including a 5-yard touchdown run.
Fowler would get his second passing touchdown of the game for the Mustangs in the second half with a 15-yard strike to Reggie Colson III. Gerber would get his second touchdown pass of the game halfway through the fourth quarter following a 37-yard punt return from Tobias Harris. Semaj Mitchell recovered a fumble in the endzone following a Sojka fumble at the 1-yard line.
WT would finish the scoring with under four minutes remaining in the contest on a 4-yard run from Carter IV. Jarrod Compton opened the drive with three carries for 35 yards followed by a 24-yard reception from McCall. Carter IV put the icing on the cake with his 11th career touchdown.
Gerber completed 20-of-34 passes for a career-high 233 yards and a pair of touchdowns while rushing for another. Carter IV reached the 100-yard plateau for the second time this season and fifth time in his career with 106 yards on 17 attempts and two touchdowns. Vallo chipped in 94 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
McCall had a career-night with four receptions and 103 yards and a touchdown to become the first Buffs since 2017 to record over 100 yards receiving in a game. Chase Sojka pulled in a career-high seven catches for 80 yards.
Hayden Dennis lead the defense with 15 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss with Frank Honang adding 13 tackles, 1.5. tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Joseph Barron recorded 12 tackles in his first start of the season while Gerred Johnson had a team-high 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
The Buffs host Central Washington on Saturday, Oct. 5, for Homecoming. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
