CANYON, Texas – The West Texas A&M Buffaloes sent a rowdy crowd of 9,326 fans home happy on Saturday night as they handed rival Angelo State a 31-15 Lone Star Conference defeat to wrap-up Homecoming Weekend at Buffalo Stadium.
 
Nick Gerber finished the night going 8-of-18 thru the air with 104 yards and a touchdown while the Buffs rushed for 137 yards as a team highlighted by 66 from Khalil Harris and 33 from Jordan Johnson. Noah Bogardus led the receiving core with nine catches for 64 yards and a touchdown while also returning a blocked punt for a score.
 
WT allowed 384 yards of total offense by the Rams with 244 of those coming thru the air. JT Cavendar continued to lead the way defensively with 13 total tackles (nine solo, four assisted) followed by Christopher Thomas who returned to the field with 11 tackles (six solo) with 1.5 of those for a loss to go along with a hurry.
 
The Rams forced a three-and-out by the Buffs on the opening drive of the game as ASU turned that into points, converting on third down three different times to lead to a 45-yard field goal by Asa Fuller for the 3-0 lead. The Buffs responded two drives later as the special teams unit came up with a big play, Eric Goodman blocked an ASU punt that fell into the hands of Bogardus as the junior returned it 38 yards for a touchdown.
 
WT extended their lead on their next offensive possession as the Buffs capped off a 12-play drive that spanned 55 yard as Gerber found Bogardus from seven yards out for the 14-3 lead. The teams traded punts before WT took over on their own 20 yard line with 3:52 left, Gerber found Bogardus for a 42 yard gain on third down that setup a 39-field goal by Gage Urias for the 17-3 lead. The Rams drove down the field and attempted a 56 yard field goal as time expired but the ball went side left to send the teams into the locker room.
 
The Rams took the momentum to start the second half as they returned the opening kickoff 45 yards into WT territory followed by a defensive holding penalty on third and long kept their drive alive, the Rams took advantage as Zach Bronkhorst 26 yard strike to Noah Massey to cut the lead to 17-9 as ASU missed the PAT attempt.
 
The teams traded punts before a pair of penalties on the Rams started a WT drive on ASU's 39 yard line with 8:00 left in the third, the Buffs would take advantage as Jarrod Compton found the endzone from 13 yards out to extend the lead to 24-9. WT added to their lead halfway thru the fourth quarter with a Ty Dillon 60-yard interception return to the house to make it 31-9 with 4:24 left.

The Rams wouldn't go down without a fight as Kason Phillips found the endzone on the ground from 16 yards out with just 1:37 remaining but a failed two-point attempt kept the WT lead at 31-15. The Buffs would close out the win with a pair of kneels for the Homecoming victory.
 
The Buffs hit the road next weekend as they head to Portales, New Mexico for the Wagon Wheel Game against Eastern New Mexico, kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT at Greyhound Stadium.