ALAMOSA – Visiting West Texas A&M took a 20-6 lead into intermission, and that deficit was too large an obstacle to overcome as the Buffs took a 34-19 decision to spoil the Grizzlies' home opener, dropping ASU to 0-2 on the year.
The Grizzlies scored on their first possession with
Zachary Survillas drilling a 23-yard field goal after the 12-play, 48-yard drive stalled.
WTAMU, however, scored 17 unanswered points over the next two quarters until another Survillas field goal stopped the bleeding, connecting this time from 41 yards, before the Buffs matched Survillas with a field goal of their own to make it 20-6 entering the half.
The Buffs ate up the clock to begin the third quarter, unleashing a 13-play, 75-yard drive that culminated with Shakell Brown barreling in from the 1-yard line to add to their lead.
ASU answered as
Xzavier Crawford rumbled into the end zone from 5 yards out to make it 27-12, with the extra point attempt being blocked.
The Grizzlies struck again in the fourth as Shammah Luana punched it in from the 1-yard line to bring ASU to within 27-19 with 8:39 left in the game, only to have Brown score his second TD of the game, again from a yard, to put the game away.
The Buffs dominated the ground game, tallying 219 yards to 134 for the Grizzlies, while netting seven more first downs (29 to 22).
Mark Salazar connected on 30 of his 51 pass attempts for 227 yards for ASU, with Nick Gerber matching his counterpart with 224 yards on 26 of 42 attempts, adding one touchdown.
Isaiah Smallwood added a rushing touchdown for WTAMU while
Elijah Harper pulled down eight receptions to lead the Grizzlies, good for 69 yards.
Adams State looks to earn its first win of the year next week as it hosts winless Colorado School of Mines on Saturday, September 17, set for a 1 pm kickoff at Rex Stadium.
