CANYON - West Texas A&M (WT) faces another major test Saturday as they prepare to host the No. 14 Central Washington Wildcats. This marks their third consecutive matchup against a top-15 opponent, with the Buffs sitting at 1-2 after a turbulent start to the season. They’ll be eager to bounce back at home following a tough road loss. Meanwhile, Central Washington, currently 1-1, is looking to gain momentum and solidify their place in the Division II rankings.
WT’s first task will be containing Central Washington’s powerful ground game. Wildcats quarterback Kennedy McGill has proven to be a dual-threat, with the ability to take off and run when needed. Through two games, McGill has rushed for 184 yards, averaging 6.7 yards per carry. His passing game, however, has been less consistent, with just over 50% of his passes completed and two interceptions — already matching the total he threw across 13 games last season.
WT head coach Josh Lynn emphasized the importance of containing McGill’s rushing ability. “He’s a good runner, and that’s going to be a big part of our focus. If you look at their last game, they only threw 17 passes, so he’s integral to their run game. Stopping him will be critical for us.”
While McGill’s passing has struggled, the Wildcats’ ground game remains their strength. Senior running back Tyler Flanagan, the reigning Lone Star Conference Offensive Back of the Year, has yet to hit his stride this season, averaging only 3.2 yards per carry after rushing for over 1,000 yards last year. Flanagan dominated WT last season with a season-high 186 yards, and the Buffs know they can’t allow a repeat performance.
Looking back at last year’s contest, Lynn acknowledged the difficulty of handling both McGill and Flanagan. “Their quarterback and running back ran all over us last year, and we have to be ready for that again. Our tackling last week wasn’t where it needed to be, so we need to tighten up,” Lynn said, referencing their recent struggles in a loss to Western Colorado. “We missed too many tackles, especially late in the fourth quarter, and those mistakes led to explosive plays.”
WT’s defense will need a standout performance to contain Central Washington’s rushing attack, but Lynn believes his team is learning from their previous mistakes. “Goodness gracious, they’re a good football team, but we left a lot out there last week. We had chances to win, and you can’t afford mistakes like a pick-six when you’re playing top-15 teams.”
On the other side of the ball, WT’s offense is still trying to find its rhythm. The Buffs are led by quarterback Sean Johnson, who is making just his fourth career start after taking over the reins this season. Johnson has shown glimpses of promise but is still getting comfortable in the starting role. Lynn praised Johnson’s resilience and potential for growth, saying, “A lot of people don't know about him. This is actually, you know, his fourth game ever start. So, he’ll just continue to get better."
Lynn highlighted Johnson's ability to bounce back after setbacks. “One thing I really like about Sean is, sure enough, he throws that pick-six. I mean, he could have hung his head, he could have went over there and pouted. He comes back the next series and throws a strike down the sideline and gets us right back in the game. If we can eliminate the one interception, I believe that he’s continuing to get better and better.”
A key connection for Johnson has been wide receiver Zorian Stanton, who had a breakout game last week with six catches for 150 yards. Stanton has quickly become a focal point of WT’s passing game, scoring touchdowns in each of the last two games.
A major storyline heading into Saturday’s game is the performance of WT running back Tre'Jon Henderson, who will be facing his former team after transferring from Central Washington. Henderson, like Flanagan, is looking to find his rhythm this season, but Lynn believes establishing the run will be crucial against the Wildcats.
WT will also rely on their home crowd for a boost. Last week, the atmosphere was electric, and Lynn is counting on that energy to fuel his team again. “The support last week was incredible. The stadium was rocking, the tailgate was great — it’s one of the best Division II atmospheres out there. That kind of energy helps our guys.”
Facing their third straight ranked opponent, the Buffs hope the experience from previous games against top-tier teams will finally pay off. “We’ve already faced two top-15 teams in Mines and Western Colorado, and that experience will benefit us as we head into conference play,” Lynn said. “Being back at home is a big plus, and we need to stay positive and build on what we’ve done.”
With the Wildcats aiming to continue their rise in the rankings and the Buffs seeking to regain their footing, the battle in the trenches will be crucial. WT’s ability to slow down McGill and Flanagan while opening lanes for Henderson could determine the outcome.
Lynn remains optimistic but realistic about the challenge. “Central Washington is a well-coached team with a physical offensive line, and they were a quarterfinal team last year. We know what we’re up against, but if we control the line of scrimmage and limit mistakes, we can compete.”
Both teams are looking to build momentum as they move deeper into the season, making this matchup a pivotal one. WT hopes to not only contain Central Washington’s rushing attack but also find consistency on offense, all while feeding off the energy of their home crowd.
Gametime will be 7 p.m. at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium in Canyon.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Buffs brace for another ranked challenge as Wildcats come to town
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