CANYON, Texas – The Buffaloes had their chances on Saturday night but mistakes in the red zone were too much to overcome as WT fell to the #15 Mountaineers of Western Colorado, 26-17 during the home opener at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium in front of 6,219 fans.
 
The Mountaineers wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as the second play of their first drive was a 62-yard touchdown on the ground by Drew Nash for the early 7-0 lead. WT's defense provided a spark on the next WCU possession as a forced fumble by Preston Steszewski that was recovered by David deMenezes, the Buffs couldn't capitalize as a three-and-out gave the ball back to the Moutaineers.
 
WT found a rhythm offensively on their next drive as a 30-yard keeper by Sean Johnson was followed up by a deep ball to Zorian Stanton to setup a one-yard Johnson touchdown to make it 7-7. The Buffaloes added to their lead before halftime as a 10-play drive that spanned 55 yards was highlighted by a one-handed grab by Brennan Ray to setup a 35-yard Cason Polivoda field goal for the 10-7 lead.
 
The second half started off with defensive stops on both sides of the field before WT put together a long drive as they looked to retake the lead, WCU's Cameron Cooper picked off a Johnson pass on the four-yard line and returned it 96-yards for a touchdown for the 20-10 lead. WT responded just two plays later as Johnson found Stanton on a deep ball for a 72-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 20-17.
 
The Buffs looked to take their first lead of the game at the start of the fourth quarter as Cam Manahan picked off a Nash pass and returned the ball 61 yards into the red zone but a missed field goal kept the score at 20-17. The Mountaineers added to the lead on their next drive as a pass interference call at the goal line setup a two-yard rushing touchdown by Nash to make it 26-17.
 
Johnson finished the night completing 20-of-33 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown to go along with an interception, the Orlando product ran the ball 10 times for 49 yards and a score. Stanton registered the best game of his short time at WT, catching six passes for 150 yards and a touchdown.
 
Defensively, JT Cavender finished the night with 13 total tackles (four solo) followed by Steszewski with 11 and Zach Schlager with eight. Manahan picked off a pass to go along with a pair of tackles while Steszewski also forced a fumble. 
 
The Buffs remain at home next Saturday as they host the Wildcats of Central Washington on Hall of Champions Weekend presented by The People's Federal Credit Union, kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium.