West Texas A&M found an much-needed offensive spark at just the right time which resulted in the Buffs putting together their best game of the season in a huge 27-19 road win against Angelo State in a Lone Star Conference opener on Saturday night at LeGrand Stadium at 1st Community Credit Union Field in San Angelo.
The Buffs have seen a rough start to the 2026 season with lopsided losses to Western New Mexico and Grand Valley State, but were able to turn the tides to open LSC play moving to 1-0 in the league and 1-2 on the season. It’s also the Buffs first win in San Angelo since a 26-18 victory on Oct. 13, of 2018.
“It feels great to get that win,” WTAMU head coach Josh Lynn said. “That’s a good football team we beat. We were both needing a win and we’ve both had tough schedules. It’s great win and it’s been a long time since we’ve won down here. We started off slow but offensive coordinator Kevin Bleil made great adjustments and got us going. The defense and special teams did a great job of keeping us in it.”
The Buffs offense struggled once again in the first half mustering only 74 yards on 26 plays as WTAMU found itself trailing 6-0 at the half.
The third quarter was a different story. Down 12-0, an offensive surge started and it was the run game that got going. WTAMU used quick screens from quarterback Knox Porter to set the tempo, and finally the Buffs broke through on a Porter roll out touchdown pass to Joseph White from 9-yards out cutting the Rams lead to 12-7 with 8:18 left.
Later in the third, the WTAMU defense forced a turnover when Dayton Navy intercepted an Ayden Arp pass inside the ASU 5-yard line returning it to the Buffs 32-yard line.
WTAMU used that momentum behind the legs of Tory Simmons. The lightning quick running back started to take over scoring his first touchdown while giving the Buffs their first lead on a 44-yard scamper to pay dirt putting the Buffs up 14-12.
ASU did respond to retake the lead 19-14 until Simmons went back to work. Simmons scored his second touchdown with eight minutes left in the fourth when he found the hole off the left side going 10-yards for the touchdown putting the Buffs up for good at 20-19. Simmons then put the nail in the ASU’s coffin going 49-yards untouched on the following drive that put WTAMU up 27-19 with just 6:14 left in the contest.
“We needed to get the run game going,” Lynn said. “We knew Tory (Simmons) could get loose if we could get him on the perimeter. He was able to do that and the offensive line stepped up.”
Video courtesy of WTAMU Football X account
Simmons finished the game with 133 yards on only nine carries with three scores. Porter was an efficient 23-of-35 for 159 yards with a touchdown, and receiver Trace Clarkson snagged 10 catches for 75 yards.
The Buffs defense bent at times allowing the Rams 478 yards of offense, but the unit made key stops especially down the stretch. Idalou graduate and WTAMU linebacker Lucas Jarnagin was all over the field making 10 total tackles, eight of those solo, including a forced fumble. Defensive back Miles Hill had eight tackles.
Next up
The Buffs return home to Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium take on Midwestern State at 7 p.m., this coming Saturday.
Check out the boxscore
For a complete look at the boxscore from West Texas A&M’s win over Angelo State, please visit, https://gobuffsgo.com/sports/football/stats/2026/angelo-state/boxscore/11598
