WTMAU outmatched by No. 5-ranked Colorado School of Mines

West Texas A&M couldn’t find a rhythm offensively and wore down defensively falling to the NCAA Division II national runner-up from a year ago, Colorado School of Mines, 41-13 in front of 4,224 fans at Marv Kay Stadium in Golden, Colo., on Thursday evening.

After getting a season-opening win last week against Sul Ross State, the Buffs now fall to 1-1 overall on the young year. The No. 5-ranked Orediggers jump out of the gate in their season opener at 1-0.

CSM wasted little time getting on the board rushing up the field on five plays capped off by a 47-yard rushing touchdown by Landon Walker for the early 7-0 lead.

Mines followed with a quick 14-0 advantage on a 27-yard pitch and catch from QB Evan Foster to Max McLeod.

WTAMU settled in with a big answer to close out the first quarter. The Buffs marched 75 yards down the field on seven plays highlighted by a 27-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Sean Johnson to Zorian Stanton cutting the deficit at 14-7.

Johnson finished the game completing 17-of-31 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown but did have an interception. The junior added 60 yards on the ground on 13 carries.

Stanton caught five passes for a team-high 84 yards and a score while Tyrie Tipton also caught five balls for 47 yards. WT registered 295 yards of offense with 196 of them coming by air.

Defensively, the Buffs were led by Zach Schlager with seven total tackles, five of those solo. CSM racked up 447 yards of offense Walker blistering the Buffs for 155 yards rushing and two TDs.

The Buffs hope to rebound in their home opener against Western Colorado at 7 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 14, at Bain-Schaeffer Buffaloes Stadium.