On Saturday, September 19th the University of Louisiana Monroe Football team lost in the first home game to the Southeastern Louisiana Lions.
The Warhawks recorded 511 yards of total offense, breaking 500 yards for the first time all season. Going three-for-four in the red zone and claiming over 33 minutes of possession gave indicators of success, but ULM did play from behind early. A punt from each team to open the contest then set up the five-minute scoring drive from Kyle Lowe and the Lions. Lowe launched the ball 31 yards to Lonnie Shinn Jr. for the first score with 3:18 in the first quarter.
“At the end of the day, you have to give Southeastern credit.,” said head coach Bryant Vincent. “They’re well-coached. They came in here, and they beat us. And that’s pretty much the bottom line.”
In trying to even the score in the first quarter, small gains were made but a third-and-short then became long due to a false start, forcing the punt. After the Makenzie Ryan’s punt was returned, the ball was fumbled by Southeastern and recovered by Gavin Howard, ULM bringing the offense back on the field as the first quarter came to a close.
Austin Carlisle continued to push on offense, finishing the day with 183 passing yards, two touchdowns and a 79% completion. With his legs, Carlisle rushed 13 times for 76 yards. The quarterback opened the second quarter with a score, targeting Parker Fulghum for his first career touchdown in a 13-yard reception. Fulghum finished the day out with five catches for 88 yards to go with his touchdown. The extra point was missed, allowing the visitors to remain ahead, 7-6. SLU responded quickly with 8:41 in the half, a fumble recovery allowing for the Lions to pick up on the ULM 34. A three-yard pass from Low to Tristan Goodly then set the opponents ahead by eight.
A three-and-out brought up the Lions yet again, who made quick work to find the end zone for the second time in the quarter. Lowe got the ball 17 yards to Kyree Paul, as the score was then settled at 21-6.
Carlisle continued to lead the offense, a handful of quarterback keepers forging ULM ahead. But it was Fulghum combined with veteran Nic Trujillo who could not stop making plays. Trujillo was targeted 12 times, as he earned five receptions for 79 yards and two touchdowns. This is the first two-touchdown reception game for a receiver this season, last occurring by Trujillo in the season finale in 2025.
With the lead cut back down to eight, SLU got close enough in the expiring seconds to notch a 43-yard field goal from Drew Talley, the score 24-13 in favor of the Lions at the half.
Both teams traded scoreless drives to open the third quarter, Carlisle’s pass intercepted by CJ Fraser before the Warhawk defense forced a punt from SLU. Marcus Ross led the defense with seven tackles on the evening, four being solos. Armoni Rue drove the defense with 2.5 tackles for loss, as the team totaled five on the day. Tyrell Brown notched a sack as well.
After another three-and-out from ULM, Ryan’s punt was returned 78 yards from Dkhai Joseph as the Lions found the endzone again. Making quick work to close the gap, Carlisle took advantage of Derrick Jameson, who began to find his niche as the third quarter expired. Jameson led the team with nine carries for 85 yards, scoring two touchdowns.
“I thought Derrick came ready to play,” said Vincent. “I thought he had a good week of practice. He gave us some good sparks, made some good runs, and gave us a chance to get back in the game.”
With 2:07 on the clock, Jameson hurdled a player and rushed for 32 yards to find the end zone, making it an 11-point deficit. As the fourth quarter began, SLU was forced to punt as the Warhawks looked to make a change. But a second interception from Carlisle allowed Richard McKneely to record a pick-six as the Lions increased the lead to 18.
Aidan Armenta entered the contest at quarterback in the fourth, completing 10 of 21 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown. Armenta utilized Jameson to slowly move the ball downfield, the running back finding a second touchdown for his stat line, a two-yard rush. He then rushed up the middle to convert the two-point conversion, ULM’s first of the season.
After trading punts and time winding down, the Warhawks earned the ball back with five minutes remaining. After converting two third downs, Armenta launched the ball 47 yards to Trujillo, who then logged his second touchdown of the day, as the gap was closed to three with just over three minutes left.
Noah Flemmings got Lowe in a six-yard tackle for loss on third-and-short, shutting down the scoring attempt as ULM got a final chance with under a minute remaining. After earning a first down, the Lion defense hurried Armenta, forcing incompletes, as the team turned the ball over on downs, the Lions claiming the 38-35 victory.
“Our guys will come back, ready to go,” said Vincent. “We still have a long season ahead of us. We have a lot of things to fix, and we’ll fix them.”