West Texas A&M’s season opener quickly got away from the Buffaloes Thursday night.

No. 11 Western Colorado capitalized on two WT turnovers, struck for several explosive plays and converted all four of its trips to the red zone on the way to a 52-21 victory at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium.

The Mountaineers built a 24-point halftime advantage before piling on 28 more points during a decisive third quarter. WT found some offensive success late, but by then the Buffs were trying to climb out of a 52-7 hole.

Western Colorado set the tone early when quarterback Josiah Roy connected with Ramon Ruiz for a 50-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

The Mountaineers later stopped WT on fourth down at the Buffs’ 1-yard line and followed with a two-yard Damien Nevil rushing touchdown to make it 14-0. JT Miller added a 32-yard field goal before Roy found Blake Kramer for a two-yard touchdown just before halftime, sending Western Colorado into the locker room with a 24-0 lead.

Things unraveled further for WT in the third quarter.

Western Colorado needed just 13 seconds to score on its opening possession of the second half, with Roy finding DJ Allen Jr. for a 76-yard touchdown. Nolan McCullough then broke loose for a 71-yard rushing score as the Mountaineers stretched the lead to 38-0.

The Buffs finally answered behind sophomore quarterback Knox Porter, who connected with Cade Figg for a 28-yard touchdown.

Western Colorado quickly erased any hopes of a momentum shift.

Roy threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to Yasir Berry and later connected with Caden Measner for a 65-yard score, giving the Mountaineers a commanding 52-7 advantage before the end of the third quarter.

WT put together its best stretch of the night in the fourth.

Tory Simmons scored on a one-yard run before Porter hit J.B. Mitchell III for a 47-yard touchdown to bring the final margin to 52-21.

Despite the lopsided score, Porter put up big numbers through the air in his first collegiate start. He completed 28 of 42 passes for 353 yards and two touchdowns while also leading WT with 35 rushing yards on 12 carries.

Trace Clarkson was Porter’s leading target, catching eight passes for 144 yards. Mitchell added seven receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown.

The Buffs’ offense, however, was hurt by two fumbles, both recovered by Western Colorado. The Mountaineers also recorded three sacks and repeatedly put their offense in favorable situations.

Western Colorado was particularly effective when it needed to extend drives, converting five of 13 third-down attempts and both of its fourth-down opportunities. The Mountaineers also made the Buffs pay with explosive touchdowns of 50, 71, 76 and 65 yards.

Canyon product Javin Cash led WT defensively with eight total tackles, while Miles Hill finished with six. Tyler Davis, Quincy Eutsay and Herschel Craig III each recorded four tackles, with Craig adding a sack.

The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Buffs.

WT heads to Allendale, Michigan, next Thursday to face No. 9 Grand Valley State at Lubbers Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.

Grand Valley State opened its season Thursday with a 38-10 road victory over Charleston.