2015 West Texas A&M Buffaloes football team

2015 West Texas A&M Buffaloes football
Conference	Lone Star Conference
Record	6–4 (3–3 LSC)
Head coach	Mike Nesbitt (3rd season)
Offensive scheme	Air raid
Defensive coordinator	Nick Paremski (3rd season)
Base defense	3–4
Home stadium	Kimbrough Memorial Stadium
Seasons ←  2014 2016  →

2015 Lone Star Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 23 Texas A&M–Commerce $^		6	–	0					8	–	4
No. 9 Midwestern State ^		5	–	1					10	–	2
Angelo State		3	–	3					7	–	4
West Texas A&M		3	–	3					6	–	4
Eastern New Mexico #		3	–	3					6	–	6
Tarleton State		1	–	5					3	–	7
Texas A&M–Kingsville		0	–	6					2	–	9
$ – Conference champion ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant # – C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl participant Rankings from AFCA poll

The 2015 West Texas A&M Buffaloes football team represented West Texas A&M University during the 2015 NCAA Division II football season as a member of the Lone Star Conference (LSC). The Buffaloes were led by third-year head coach Mike Nesbitt. The team played its home games at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium in Canyon, Texas.

Preseason

LSC media poll

The Buffaloes were predicted to finish fifth in the LSC, the first time in a decade the team was not predicted to finish in the top four. ^[1]

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance
September 3	7:00 p.m.	No. 19 Azusa Pacific *	Kimbrough Memorial Stadium Canyon, TX	L 24–27	6,250
September 12	5:00 p.m.	No. 2 CSU Pueblo *	Kimbrough Memorial Stadium Canyon, TX	W 31–30	7,975
September 19	3:30 p.m.	vs. Tarleton State	AT&T Stadium Arlington, TX (LSC Football Festival)	W 52–38	11,094
September 26	5:00 p.m.	No. 6 Angelo State	Kimbrough Memorial Stadium Canyon, TX	L 17–35	13,798
October 10	7:00 p.m.	at No. 12 Midwestern State	Memorial Stadium Wichita Falls, TX	L 17–24	8,611
October 17	5:00 p.m.	No. 14 Texas A&M–Commerce	Kimbrough Memorial Stadium Canyon, TX (East Texas vs. West Texas)	L 20–38	5,472
October 24	7:00 p.m.	at Texas A&M–Kingsville	Javelina Stadium Kingsville, TX	W 24–14	3,000
October 31	12:00 p.m.	Eastern New Mexico	Canyon, TX Kimbrough Memorial Stadium (Wagon Wheel)	W 52–42	5,857
November 7	2:00 p.m.	at Oklahoma Panhandle State *	Carl Wooten Field Goodwell, OK (LSC Playoffs)	W 28–21	700
November 14	1:00 p.m.	Texas A&M–Kingsville*	Kimbrough Memorial Stadium Canyon, TX (LSC Playoffs)	W 51–45	1,178
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

^[2]

Game summaries

No. 19 Azusa Pacific

No. 19 Azusa Pacific Cougars at West Texas A&M Buffaloes – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 19 Cougars	0	10	3	14	27
Buffaloes	14	7	3	0	24

at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium, Canyon, Texas

• Date: September 3
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Partly cloudy, 91 °F (33 °C)
• Game attendance: 6,250
• Referee: Andy Dunklin
• Box score, Recap

Game information

First quarter WT – Jarrion Rhone 14-yard pass from Preston Rabb (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 8:18. Buffaloes 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards, 2:50. WT – Geremy Alridge-Mitchell 60-yard run (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 3:53. Buffaloes 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 82 yards, 2:11. Second quarter WT – Geremy Alridge-Mitchell 2-yard run (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 10:08. Buffaloes 21–0. Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards, 2:27. APU – Ryan Adams 1-yard run (Jacob Hall kick), 5:43. Buffaloes 21–7. Drive: 4 plays, 63 yards, 1:44. APU – Jacob Hall 35-yard field goal, 0:28. Buffaloes 21–10. Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards, 3:03. Third quarter WT – Conner Hollabaugh 38-yard field goal, 7:51. Buffaloes 24–10. Drive: 8 plays, 33 yards, 2:01. APU – Jacob Hall 21-yard field goal, 0:53. Buffaloes 24–13. Drive: 13 plays, 71 yards, 6:58. Fourth quarter APU – Kurt Scoby 25-yard pass from Chad Jeffries (Jacob Hall kick), 12:42. Buffaloes 24–20. Drive: 6 plays, 82 yards, 2:18. APU – Josiah Thropay 27-yard pass from Chad Jeffries (Jacob Hall kick), 5:43. Cougars 27–24. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 5:21.

Statistics	APU	WT
First downs	28	20
Total yards	409	393
Rushing yards	140	262
Passing yards	269	131
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	36:41	23:19

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Azusa Pacific	Passing	Chad Jeffries	17/32, 269 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Kurt Scoby	21 rushes, 80 yards
	Receiving	Josiah Thropay	2 receptions, 58 yards, TD
West Texas A&M	Passing	Preston Rabb	25/44, 131 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Geremy Alridge-Mitchell	17 rushes, 117 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Jarrian Rhode	7 receptions, 83 yards, TD

No. 2 CSU Pueblo

No. 2 CSU Pueblo ThunderWolves at West Texas A&M Buffaloes – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 2 ThunderWolves	7	10	7	6	30
Buffaloes	14	0	7	10	31

at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium, Canyon, Texas

• Date: September 12
• Game time: 5:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Overcast, 73 °F (23 °C)
• Game attendance: 7,975
• Referee: Kenny Kelarek
• Box score, Recap

Game information

First quarter WT – Geremy Alridge-Mitchell 4-yard run (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 10:57. Buffaloes 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 37 yards, 1:52. CSUP – Cameron McDondle 80-yard run (Greg O'Donnell kick), 4:07. Tied 7–7. Drive: 1 play, 80 yards, 0:14. WT – Geremy Alridge-Mitchell 6-yard pass from Ethan Brinkley (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 0:37. Buffaloes 14–7. Drive: 10 plays, 81 yards, 3:26. Second quarter CSUP – LaRon Tarkington 25-yard interception return (Greg O'Donnell kick), 1:23. Tied 14–14. CSUP – Greg O'Donnell 45-yard field goal, 0:02. ThunderWolves 17–14. Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 0:24. Third quarter CSUP – Sam Singleton 10-yard interception return (Greg O'Donnell kick), 10:39. ThunderWolves 24–14. WT – Geremy Alridge-Mitchell 36-yard run (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 8:20. ThunderWolves 24–21. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:19. Fourth quarter WT – Conner Hollabaugh 31-yard field goal, 13:40. Tied 24–24. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 0:20. WT – Geremy Alridge-Mitchell 4-yard run (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 2:13. Buffaloes 31–24. Drive: 5 plays, 22 yards, 2:27. CSUP – Kieren Duncan 98-yard kickoff return (pass failed), 1:57. Buffaloes 31–30.

Statistics	CSUP	WT
First downs	13	18
Total yards	271	341
Rushing yards	173	98
Passing yards	98	243
Turnovers	6	2
Time of possession	25:12	34:48

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
CSU Pueblo	Passing	Malcolm Ruben	11/24, 92 yards, 3 INT
	Rushing	Cameron McDondle	23 rushes, 166 yards, TD
	Receiving	Zach Boyd	2 receptions, 35 yards
West Texas A&M	Passing	Ethan Brinkley	28/43, 207 yards, TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Geremy Alridge-Mitchell	30 rushes, 105 yards, 3 TD
	Receiving	Jarrian Rhone	12 receptions, 71 yards

Starting quarterback Preston Rabb exited the game in the first quarter with an ankle injury. ^[3]

Vs. Tarleton State (LSC Football Festival)

West Texas A&M Buffaloes vs. Tarleton State Texans (LSC Football Festival) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Buffaloes	0	28	10	14	52
Texans	7	10	21	0	38

at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

• Date: September 19
• Game time: 3:30 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
• Game attendance: 11,094
• Referee: Dwayne McKee
• Box score, Recap

Game information

First quarter TSU – Cooper Cole 8-yard pass from Zach Woerner (Blake Barnes kick), 4:29. Texans 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:35. Second quarter TSU – Jabari Anderson 8-yard run (Blake Barnes kick), 14:05. Texans 14–0. Drive: 8 plays, 58 yards, 3:37. WT – Geremy Alridge-Mitchell 55-yard run (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 13:04. Texans 14–7. Drive: 3 plays, 73 yards, 0:56. WT – Geremy Alridge-Mitchell 29-yard run (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 11:09. Tied 14–14. Drive: 2 plays, 34 yards, 0:40. TSU – Blake Barnes 22-yard field goal, 6:33. Texans 17–14. Drive: 13 plays, 67 yards, 4:29. WT – Davontae Merriweather 43-yard interception return (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 4:22. Buffaloes 21–17. WT – Geremy Alridge-Mitchell 29-yard run (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 2:50. Buffaloes 28–17. Drive: 3 plays, 21 yards, 1:06. Third quarter TSU – Chase Varnado 48-yard fumble return (Blake Barnes kick), 12:27. Buffaloes 28–24. WT – Conner Hollabaugh 52-yard field goal, 8:32. Buffaloes 31–24. Drive: 10 plays, 40 yards, 3:55. TSU – Jabari Anderson 7-yard run (Blake Barnes kick), 5:40. Tied 31–31. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 2:52. WT – Word Hudson 73-yard pass from Ethan Brinkley (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 4:49. Buffaloes 38–31. Drive: 2 plays, 77 yards, 0:45. TSU – Zach Henshaw 1-yard (Blake Barnes kick), 0:41. Tied 38–38. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 3:58. Fourth quarter WT – Xavier Amey 53-yard pass from Ethan Brinkley (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 14:15. Buffaloes 45–38. Drive: 4 plays, 70 yards, 1:26. WT – Dimitri Donald 24-yard pass from Ethan Brinkley (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 10:23. Buffaloes 52–38. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 3:02.

Statistics	WT	TSU
First downs	21	31
Total yards	501	499
Rushing yards	245	172
Passing yards	256	327
Turnovers	1	3
Time of possession	28:06	31:54

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
West Texas A&M	Passing	Ethan Brinkley	15/22, 256 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Geremy Alridge-Mitchell	31 rushes, 236 yards, 3 TD
	Receiving	Word Hudson	5 receptions, 129 yards, TD
Tarleton State	Passing	Zed Woerner	36/57, 327 yards, TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Daniel McCants	8 rushes, 91 yards
	Receiving	Cooper Cole	7 receptions, 83 yards, TD

No. 6 Angelo State

No. 6 Angelo State Rams at West Texas A&M Buffaloes – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 6 Rams	14	14	0	7	35
Buffaloes	14	3	0	0	17

at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium, Canyon, Texas

• Date: September 26
• Game time: 5:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Mostly sunny, 80 °F (27 °C)
• Game attendance: 13,798
• Referee: Vidal Jones
• Box score, Recap

Statistics	ASU	WT
First downs	32	13
Total yards	607	302
Rushing yards	231	91
Passing yards	376	211
Turnovers	1	2
Time of possession	33:11	26:49

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Angelo State	Passing	Kyle Washington	34/49, 376 yards
	Rushing	Kyle Washington	12 rushes, 124 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Donovan Thompson	12 receptions, 143 yards
West Texas A&M	Passing	Ethan Brinkley	25/36, 211 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Geremy Alridge-Mitchell	13 rushes, 99 yards
	Receiving	Xavier Amey	5 receptions, 101 yards, TD

At No. 12 Midwestern State

West Texas A&M Buffaloes at No. 12 Midwestern State Mustangs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Buffaloes	3	0	7	7	17
No. 12 Mustangs	7	7	3	7	24

at Memorial Stadium, Wichita Falls, Texas

• Date: October 10
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Sunny, 82 °F (28 °C)
• Game attendance: 5,472
• Referee: Kenny Kelarek
• Box score, Recap

Game information

First quarter MSU – Vincent Johnson 9-yard run (Andy Alkhazshvilly kick), 12:08. Mustangs 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 49 yards, 0:52. WT – Conner Hollabaugh 46-yard field goal, 8:02. Mustangs 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 46 yards, 4:06. Second quarter MSU – Don Jerry 6-yard run (Andy Alkhazshvilly kick), 1:31. Mustangs 14–3. Drive: 1 play, 6 yards, 0:06. Third quarter WT – Will Toliver 31-yard interception return (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 13:56. Mustangs 14–10. MSU – Andy Alkhazshvilly 20-yard field goal, 6:39. Mustangs 17–10. Drive: 15 plays, 72 yards, 7:17. Fourth quarter MSU – Vincent Johnson 84-yard run (Andy Alkhazshvilly kick), 9:21. Mustangs 24–10. Drive: 1 play, 84 yards, 0:14. WT – Geremy Alridge-Mitchell 3-yard run (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 1:30. Mustangs 24–17. Drive: 10 plays, 84 yards, 3:31.

Statistics	WT	MSU
First downs	18	19
Total yards	378	453
Rushing yards	202	271
Passing yards	176	182
Turnovers	3	2
Time of possession	32:56	27:04

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
West Texas A&M	Passing	Ethan Brinkley	19/27, 176 yards, INT
	Rushing	Geremy Alridge-Mitchell	40 rushes, 189 yards, TD
	Receiving	Xavier Amey	3 receptions, 68 yards
Midwestern State	Passing	Quade Coward	13/22, 182 yards, INT
	Rushing	Vincent Johnson	17 rushes, 190 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Statron Jones	3 receptions, 56 yards

No. 14 Texas A&M–Commerce

See also: 2015 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions football team

No. 14 Texas A&M–Commerce Lions at West Texas A&M Buffaloes – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 14 Lions	0	21	3	14	38
Buffaloes	7	3	3	7	20

at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium, Canyon, Texas

• Date: October 17
• Game time: 5:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Sunny, 65 °F (18 °C)
• Game attendance: 5,472
• Referee: Andy Dunklin
• Box score, Recap

Statistics	TAMUC	WT
First downs	22	18
Total yards	491	314
Rushing yards	223	48
Passing yards	268	266
Turnovers	1	3
Time of possession	30:56	29:04

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Texas A&M–Commerce	Passing	Harrison Stewart	14/22, 253 yards, TD
	Rushing	Theo Wofford	22 rushes, 125 yards, TD
	Receiving	Darby Smith	3 receptions, 91 yards, TD
West Texas A&M	Passing	Ethan Brinkley	26/41, 266 yards, TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Devon Paye	14 rushes, 46 yards, TD
	Receiving	Xavier Amey	6 receptions, 93 yards

At Texas A&M–Kingsville

West Texas A&M Buffaloes at Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Buffaloes	14	0	7	3	24
Javelinas	7	7	0	0	14

at Javelina Stadium, Kingsville, Texas

• Date: October 24
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Rainy
• Game attendance: 3,000
• Referee: Jarvis Walker
• Box score, Recap

Game information

First quarter WT – John Sheehy 65-yard interception return (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 9:46. Buffaloes 7–0. TAMUK – Trey Mitchell 3-yard run (Julio de la Garza kick), 6:06. Tied 7–7. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:40. WT – Geremy Alridge-Mitchell 5-yard run (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 1:23. Buffaloes 14–7. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 4:41. Second quarter TAMUK – Chris Cooper 4-yard pass from Stevie Joe Dorman (Julio de la Garza kick), 14:29. Tied 14–14. Drive: 3 plays, 40 yards, 0:41. Third quarter WT – Jarrian Rhone 3-yard pass from Ethan Brinkley (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 2:35. Buffaloes 21–14. Drive: 15 plays, 83 yards, 7:00. Fourth quarter WT – Conner Hollabaugh 36-yard field goal, 2:35. Buffaloes 24–14. Drive: 8 plays, 28 yards, 3:21.

Statistics	WT	TAMUK
First downs	25	11
Total yards	378	193
Rushing yards	257	136
Passing yards	121	57
Turnovers	1	5
Time of possession	41:20	18:40

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
West Texas A&M	Passing	Ethan Brinkley	12/21, 121 yards, TD
	Rushing	Geremy Alrdige-Mitchell	45 rushes, 149 yards, TD
	Receiving	Jarrian Rhone	5 receptions, 49 yards, TD
Texas A&M–Kingsville	Passing	Stevie Joe Dorman	6/16, 33 yards, TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Shawn Vasquez	11 rushes, 91 yards
	Receiving	Jordan Thomas	2 receptions, 17 yards

Eastern New Mexico

Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds at West Texas A&M Buffaloes – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Greyhounds	14	14	7	7	42
Buffaloes	21	14	3	14	52

at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium, Canyon, Texas

• Date: October 31
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Clear and breezy, 44 °F (7 °C)
• Game attendance: 5,857
• Referee: C. Watson
• Box score, Recap

Statistics	ENMU	WT
First downs	18	17
Total yards	462	528
Rushing yards	324	141
Passing yards	138	387
Turnovers	4	1
Time of possession	32:09	27:51

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Eastern New Mexico	Passing	Jeremy Buurma	8/14, 138 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Kamal Cass	23 rushes, 184 yards, 3 TD
	Receiving	Aaron Johnson	4 receptions, 93 yards, TD
West Texas A&M	Passing	Ethan Brinkley	18/25, 387 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Geremy Alridge-Mitchell	22 rushes, 80 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Xavier Amey	7 receptions, 242 yards, 2 TD

At Oklahoma Panhandle State (LSC Playoffs)

West Texas A&M Buffaloes at Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggies (LSC Playoffs) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Buffaloes	0	7	14	7	28
Aggies	0	0	7	14	21

at Carl Wooten Field, Goodwell, Oklahoma

• Date: November 7
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: Mostly sunny, 52 °F (11 °C)
• Game attendance: 700
• Referee: Dustin Rudolph
• Box score, Recap

Game information

First quarter No scoring plays Second quarter WT – Geremy Alridge-Mitchell 12-yard run (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 7:14. Buffaloes 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 81 yards, 5:10. Third quarter WT – Xavier Amey 18-yard pass from Ethan Brinkley (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 5:34. Buffaloes 14–0. Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 3:24. OPSU – Chris McClendon 31-yard run (Nick Clarkson kick), 5:34. Buffaloes 14–7. Drive: 6 plays, 78 yards, 3:36. WT – Devon Paye 22-yard pass from Ethan Brinkley (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 2:57. Buffaloes 21–7. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:36. Fourth quarter OPSU – J. B. Frontz 1-yard pass from Shane Truelove (Nick Clarkson kick), 9:51. Buffaloes 21–14. Drive: 12 plays, 88 yards, 5:55. OPSU – Xazier Murry 40-yard interception return (Nick Clarkson kick), 8:23. Tied 21–21. WT – Devon Paye 19-yard run (Conner Hollabaugh kick), 4:34. Buffaloes 28–21. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 3:42.

Statistics	WT	OPSU
First downs	22	19
Total yards	459	382
Rushing yards	174	243
Passing yards	285	139
Turnovers	1	2
Time of possession	30:18	29:42

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
West Texas A&M	Passing	Ethan Brinkley	22/34, 288 yards, 2 TD, INT
	Rushing	Devon Paye	11 rushes, 85 yards, TD
	Receiving	Xavier Amey	7 receptions, 91 yards, TD
Oklahoma Panhandle State	Passing	Shane Truelove	12/24, 123 yards, TD
	Rushing	Chris McClendon	20 rushes, 170 yards, TD
	Receiving	Chris McClendon	3 receptions, 52 yards

Texas A&M–Kingsville (LSC Playoffs)

Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas at West Texas A&M Buffaloes (LSC Playoffs) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Javelinas	14	21	7	3	45
Buffaloes	21	17	7	6	51

at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium, Canyon, Texas

• Date: November 14
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: Mostly sunny, 50 °F (10 °C)
• Game attendance: 1,178
• Referee: Dwayne McKee
• Box score, Recap

Statistics	TAMUK	WT
First downs	20	29
Total yards	546	518
Rushing yards	274	273
Passing yards	272	245
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	28:02	30:51

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Texas A&M–Kingsville	Passing	Myles Carr	19/30, 272 yards, 4 TD
	Rushing	Greg Pitre	27 rushes, 226 yards
	Receiving	Anthony Autry	7 receptions, 145 yards
West Texas A&M	Passing	Ethan Brinkley	22/31, 245 yards, TD
	Rushing	Geremy Alrdige-Mitchell	32 rushes, 213 yards, 3 TD
	Receiving	Xavier Amey	5 receptions, 79 yards, TD

References

1. "WT picked 5th in LSC". Amarillo Globe-News . July 28, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
2. "2015 Football Schedule" . Retrieved August 30, 2024.
3. Steed, Kale (September 23, 2015). "Poised quarterback: Brinkley takes reins after injury, leads WT offense in the right direction". Amarillo Globe-News . Retrieved September 13, 2024.