In this day and age, the sport of college football loves plenty of offense and high scores.
Going up against Texas A&M-Kingsville for a Lone Star Conference clash on Saturday at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium in Canyon, the West Texas A&M football team abided by that rule. When the dust settled, the Buffaloes and Javelinas combined for six lead changes, 101 points and 988 total yards of offense.
However, as the game came to a nailbiting close, WTAMU head coach Josh Lynn leaned hard on his defense. Answering the call was a local kid done good — Caprock graduate and junior defensive back Jamel Acosta-Lewis.
Acosta-Lewis propelled the Buffs’ defense in the game’s crucial points, reeling in two late interceptions to propel WT past the Javelinas in a thrilling 53-48 contest in front of 3,458 spectators.
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Holding a narrow 46-42 lead early in the final period, Acosta-Lewis picked off Texas A&M-Kingsville redshirt senior quarterback Jack Turner with 10:46 remaining in the game. The INT led to WT grad quarterback RJ Martinez to deliver a 21-yard touchdown strike to redshirt sophomore Zach Phipps to push WT’s lead to 53-42 with 9:12 left.
Even as the Javelinas got within five and began to drive as time ticked away, Acosta-Lewis then collected the game winner with 30 seconds left.
“Man, I don’t know,” Acosta said. “I saw it, and figured that I have to go get it. I just know that I’m going to lay my life out there for my team, and I love my brothers. They make me great every day, and I go up against one of the best offenses in the nation every day. That’s how I did it.”
The Buffaloes returned to the win column, improving to 5-4 overall with a 5-2 record within the LSC. WT has now won their last four of five games, and will take on Midwestern State at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls.
The Mustangs (2-7, 2-5 LSC) fell to Western Oregon, 31-3, on the road on Saturday in Monmouth, Ore.
Texas A&M-Kingsville, guided by Plainview native Scott Parr, who was just inducted into the Plainview High School Hall of Fame on Friday, dropped to 2-5 in conference play and 3-6 overall. The Javelinas are also currently on a three-game skid, following the setback.
The Javelinas will see some relief on the horizon, though, returning home to face Western New Mexico at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Pepsi Field at Javelina Stadium in Kingsville.
WT built up a 22-6 lead midway through the first quarter, before the Javelinas roared back to take a 28-25 lead with 4:33 left until intermission. The Buffs took the lead with 1:29 left until the break, when Martinez connected with junior tight end Brennan Ray for a 19-yard touchdown.
At halftime, West Texas A&M held a 32-28 lead.
Both teams combined to exchange haymakers, until Acosta-Lewis’ first interception. The Buffaloes took advantage, but had to use Acosta-Lewis’ second INT to seal the victory. Along with his two picks, the Amarillo native finished with seven total tackles and two pass breakups.
Martinez was back to form, going 30-of-39 for 400 yards and five touchdowns, compared to just one interception and taking one sack. Martinez also rushed on 12 occasions for 48 yards and another trip to paydirt.
Grad wideout Cristian Dixon led the WT receiver corps with three catches for 104 yards and two TDs. Senior utility man Sean “Fats” Johnson reeled in 11 catches for 100 yards and one score.
Graduate receiver Trevin Edwards acquired 62 yards on five receptions, followed by teammate Jamir Roberts’ three receptions for 50 yards, and Phipps’ one touch for 21 yards and a TD.
On defense, Miles Hill led the way by racking up 14 tackles, which included five solo stops. Hunter Corbin and Lucas Jarnagin each picked up 11 tackles, followed by 10 tackles each from David deMenezes and Antonio Williams.
Graduate linebacker Ashton Reynolds and junior defensive lineman Jahmek Armstong each acquired one quarterback sack each, and Armstrong forced a fumble early in the first quarter. Reynolds returned the aforementioned fumble for a 25-yard touchdown.
Turner was 37-of-56 for 357 yards and two touchdowns, alongside his two interceptions. Sophomore King Phillips led the Javelina receivers with 12 catches for 105 yards and one touchdown. Senior defensive lineman Tre Robbins reeled in an interception on defense.
Check out the boxscore
For a full look at the boxscore, please visit https://gobuffsgo.com/sports/football/stats/2025/texas-am-kingsville/boxscore/11290