SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – In a defensive struggle it was the visiting #25 West Texas A&M football team that was able to put some points on the board in a 24-0 win over University of the Incarnate Word in Lone Star Conference action on Saturday night at Benson Stadium. It was the first time the Cardinals have been shut out in school history. (box score)




The Cardinals (1-3, 0-2) held the high-powered Buffalo offense well below their normal offensive output, but were unable to score against the tough WT defense.  The Buffalos scored on a pair of Dustin Vaughan to Lance Ratliff passes, one in the second quarter and one in the third quarter.  The final touchdown of the game was scored on blocked punt return by David Christmas in the third quarter.

“I'm a realist,” said UIW head coach Larry Kennan.  “We got beat by a team that is considerably better than us.  It isn't like we are a million miles away, but they are better than us.” 

West Texas A&M finished with 361 total yards of offense with 256 coming through the air, over 150 yards fewer than their season average.  Vaughan was 19-of-32 for 243 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.  Torrence Allen had nine catches for 86 yards while Ratliff had the two touchdown receptions for 68 yards.

The Cardinal defense broke up seven passes on the night, forced three turnovers and picked up a pair of sacks.  No one player had more than five tackles while Kielyn Lewis (Gainesville/Gainesville HS) picked up his first career interception.

“I'm proud of our guys,” added Kennan.  “I told the team that we need to hang together and that there are some teams coming up on the schedule that we can beat.  We looked better today than we have in the last few weeks.”

The first quarter went by quickly with neither team able to move the ball much on offense.  The Cardinals did a good job of maintaining possession and keeping the Buffalos off the field.  They had the ball twice and only gained 33 yards, but held onto the ball for 9:42.

The first time the Buffalos got the ball they drove into UIW territory, but were forced to attempt a 49-yard field goal.  Sergio Castillo's attempt had the distance, but was wide left.

The Buffs got the ball back late in the quarter and then scored just two plays into the second period.  Vaughan was able to suck the UIW defense in on a play action pass and found Ratliff over the top for a 45-yard touchdown 30 seconds into the quarter.

After going three-and-out and punting the ball, the Cardinal defense forced a turnover deep in WT territory.  Padyn Giebler (Stephenville/Stephenville HS) stripped the ball from Jace Jackson and Devin Haywood (San Antonio/Roosevelt HS) recovered at the WT 38-yard line.  Unfortunately, the Cardinals were unable to move the ball and were forced to punt.

Later on in the second quarter, Taylor Woods (Fort Bend/Austin HS) completed a 54-yard screen pass to running back Trent Rios (Spring Branch/Smithson Valley HS) that gave the team a first down at the West Texas A&M 29-yard line.  Once again, the Buffalo defense stood strong and the Cardinals lost yards.

The Buffalos added a field goal as the halftime buzzer sounded.  Jordan Smith intercepted a Woods pass with 1:24 remaining near midfield.  Vaughan drove the Buffs inside the 10-yard line, but could not punch in the touchdown.  Castillo drilled the 23-yard field goal to make it 10-0 at the break.

In the third quarter, the Buffs were able to put the game away.  They scored on the opening drive of the half as Vaughan found Ratliff open in the end zone from 23 yards out with 12:16 to play in the quarter.

The Buffs defense then forced a UIW punt that Dwight Morrison blocked.  Teammate David Christmas picked up the loose ball and scored from 11 yards out to make it 24-0 with 9:48 remaining in the third quarter.

The teams traded punts for the remainder of the game.  The Cardinals moved the ball into the WT half of the field twice in the fourth quarter, but came up empty handed each time.

The Cardinals were limited to 131 total yards of offense due in large part to the eight sacks by the Buffs.  Rios was the top performer for UIW with 66 yards on 14 carries and 67 yards receiving on six catches.  In his first career start freshman quarterback Taylor Woods went 14-for-26 for 123 yards and an interception.

The Buffalo defense was led by Kyle Voss who had 14 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.  Tyrell Higgins added 2.5 sacks.  The team had 13 tackles for a loss of 81 yards overall. 

The Cardinals are back in action on September 29 at nationally-ranked Midwestern State at 7 p.m.