If you’ve ever stood on the flat, wind-swept plains of Canyon, Texas, you know there’s a specific kind of stillness that precedes a storm. For a long time, that was the vibe around West Texas A&M Buffaloes football. It was a program with a massive stadium, a live buffalo mascot named Thunder, and a history of producing NFL talent like Mercury Morris and Duane Thomas, yet it felt like it was stuck in a bit of a holding pattern.
Honestly, the last decade was a rollercoaster. We saw the highs of the Don Carthel era—where double-digit win seasons felt like a birthright—fade into a period of "just okay" results. But something shifted in 2025.
Under head coach Josh Lynn, the Buffs just wrapped up an 8-4 season that felt a lot bigger than the record suggests. They finished 7-2 in the Lone Star Conference (LSC), tying for second place and showing a brand of high-octane offense that hasn't been seen around these parts in years. They didn't just play; they bullied people.
The RJ Martinez Effect and a 487-Yard Engine
Let’s talk about why the 2025 season was a statistical anomaly in the best way possible. The Buffaloes led the Lone Star Conference in total offense, averaging a staggering 487.1 yards per game. If you’re a fan of "three yards and a cloud of dust," this wasn't the team for you.
At the center of it all was RJ Martinez. The quarterback was basically a human video game, throwing for 4,122 yards and 36 touchdowns. When you watch Martinez, you’ve got to appreciate the efficiency; he completed over 66% of his passes while only tossing eight picks despite the high volume. It’s the kind of performance that makes you wonder if he’s got a real shot at the Harlon Hill Trophy—the Division II equivalent of the Heisman—in the near future.
But it wasn't just a pass-happy circus. The ground game, led by Jayden Hibbler (who averaged 6.2 yards per carry), kept defenses honest. When a team can hurt you from the pocket and then rip off a 63-yard run like Hibbler did multiple times this year, it’s a nightmare to coordinate against.
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Why Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium is the LSC's Secret Weapon
For years, the Buffs played at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium. It was iconic, sure, but it was also off-campus and felt like it belonged to a different era. Moving into the Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium in 2019 changed the entire DNA of the home-game experience.
The place is a jewel. It’s got a capacity of about 8,500 but can squeeze in 12,000 when you count the berms and standing-room areas. It’s built to keep the noise in, and during the 2025 home slate, where the Buffs went 5-1, it was loud. Like, "can't hear the person next to you" loud.
There’s a common misconception that Division II football is some sleepy affair with small crowds. Tell that to the 10,000+ people who show up for the big rivalry games. The stadium record still stands from the Azusa Pacific game in 2019, but the energy during the 2025 win over Eastern New Mexico—the legendary Wagon Wheel game—was right up there.
The Wagon Wheel: More Than Just a Trophy
You can’t talk about West Texas A&M Buffaloes football without mentioning the Wagon Wheel. It’s one of the best rivalries in the country, period. It’s West Texas A&M vs. Eastern New Mexico. It’s personal.
In 2025, the Buffs took the Wheel back with a 43-14 shellacking of the Greyhounds. Seeing the players sprint across the field to grab that massive wooden wheel is one of those "if you know, you know" moments in college sports. For the fans, it’s about bragging rights across the state line. For Josh Lynn, who actually coached at Eastern New Mexico before coming to Canyon, it was a statement. He’s built a culture that values the history of the Panhandle while aggressively chasing a new standard.
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Understanding the Josh Lynn Turnaround
When Lynn was hired in late 2022, he inherited a program that had finished 5-6. He didn't promise a miracle overnight, and he didn't get one. His first year (2023) was a rough 3-7. Some people were worried.
But Lynn is a "process" guy. He spent years at Nebraska-Kearney turning them into a national contender, and he’s doing the same thing here. He’s a former tight end who understands the trenches, but he’s also smart enough to let a guy like Martinez air it out.
The jump from 3 wins to 5 wins, and then to 8 wins in 2025, shows a clear upward trajectory. The Buffs ended the 2025 regular season on a four-game winning streak, including a wild 56-42 shootout over Midwestern State. That kind of momentum is dangerous going into 2026.
The NFL Pipeline You Didn’t Realize Existed
People often forget that West Texas A&M is a pro factory. We’re talking about a school that produced:
- Mercury Morris: 3x Pro Bowler and key part of the 1972 undefeated Dolphins.
- Duane Thomas: The guy who basically won Super Bowl VI for the Cowboys.
- Maurice Cheeks: Yeah, the NBA Hall of Famer played here (though obviously not on the football field, it speaks to the athletic pedigree of the school).
- Recent Guys: Players like Sergio Castillo and Khiry Robinson have kept the tradition alive in the modern era.
The current roster has a few names that scouts are already circling. The defense, while sometimes overshadowed by the offense, has some ball-hawks in the secondary. They forced 11 interceptions in 2025 and stayed disciplined, even when the offense was playing at a breakneck pace that often leaves a defense tired.
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What the Numbers Actually Tell Us
If we look at the 2025 season stats, a few things stand out that most casual observers miss:
- Third Down Mastery: The Buffs converted nearly 47% of their third downs. That is elite. It means they aren't just getting big plays; they are sustaining drives.
- Red Zone Efficiency: They scored on 40 of their 49 red zone trips. When they get close, they usually finish with six points, not three.
- Discipline Issues: One area for improvement? Penalties. They averaged over 82 yards in penalties per game. That’s a lot of free yardage to give away, and it’s likely why they dropped close games to teams like Colorado School of Mines (a 31-33 heartbreaker).
Future Outlook: Can They Win the LSC?
The Lone Star Conference is a meat grinder. Central Washington went undefeated in conference play in 2025, and UT Permian Basin is a perennial powerhouse. To take that next step, West Texas A&M has to find a way to beat the top-tier teams on the road. Their 2-3 away record in 2025 was the only real blemish on an otherwise stellar year.
But honestly? The pieces are there. You have a returning quarterback (depending on eligibility and portal moves), a state-of-the-art stadium, and a coaching staff that has finally found its rhythm.
Next Steps for Fans and Recruits:
- Follow the Transfer Portal: With the Buffs' offensive numbers, expect them to be a destination for FBS receivers looking for more targets.
- Check the 2026 Schedule: Look for the home opener at Bain-Schaeffer. If you want to see the best atmosphere in Division II, that's where you need to be.
- Support the Herdsmen: If you’re on campus, get involved with the group that takes care of Thunder. It’s one of the coolest traditions in the sport and keeps the "Buffalo" identity alive.
The 2025 season wasn't just a "good year" for West Texas A&M Buffaloes football. It was a proof of concept. It proved that the high-scoring, high-energy version of this team isn't just a fluke—it’s the new standard. If they can clean up the penalties and find a way to win those gritty November games on the road, the rest of the LSC is in serious trouble.