The University of Louisiana Monroe football team (0-4) fell 45-17 to the Florida Atlantic Owls (3-1) on Saturday night (Sept. 26). The Owls put up 578 yards of offense to ULM’s 332, with Aidan Armenta leading the Warhawks. Armenta threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns, completing 79% of his passes.
As the home team won the coin toss, elected to kick, with FAU taking its place on offense to begin. RJ Hall and Billy Pullen combined to force a fourth-and-long, as the Owls punted in the opening drive. Hall went on to lead the team with eight tackles, along with two pass breakups. The Warhawks also punted on the opening drive.
FAU went on to drive downfield with Ethan Ervin and quarterback Caden Veltkamp leading the way, and a rush from Antonio Johnson allowing the visitors to score the first touchdown of the night.
Down seven, the Warhawks looked to recover, with Armenta connecting with Nic Trujillo for 41 yards and the first down. Trujillo caught two passes for 47 yards on the night. A one-yard toss from Armenta to tight end Jase Hoath had ULM tying it up at 7. It was Hoath’s first reception as a Warhawk.
As time expired in the opening quarter, the teams remained tied at a touchdown apiece. But a 26-yard quarterback keeper from Veltkamp put the Owls on top again, 14-7. After going three-and-out, ULM punted, and Easton Messer returned the punt 73 yards for a touchdown as the deficit for the home team quickly became 14.
On the hunt to turn the tide, Armenta connected with LT Robinson for 75 yards on the first play of the drive, Robinson scoring his first ULM touchdown to close the gap. Robinson went on to record two receptions for 79 yards to pair with his touchdown.
The tide continued to turn ULM’s way, as Veltkamp’s incomplete passes turned the ball over on downs. But a punt from ULM’s Makenzie Ryan sent the FAU offense back on the field.
First-year Gavin Howard worked to involve the defense as the Owls marched downfield, recording six tackles throughout the game. But Ervin and Veltkamp connected to reach the red zone, with Ervin’s two-yard rush extending the lead back to 14 with less than five minutes in the half.
Another deep shot from Armenta, this time to JP Coulter, had the Warhawks pushing the tempo, with a 48-yard launch. Coulter logged 61 yards off three receptions. After entering the red zone, a penalty had the special teams room coming on-field, as Abram Murray nailed a 39-yard field goal.
Veltkamp took charge as the clock wound down, however, getting the ball into Warhawk territory and passing it off to Leonard Farrow, who rushed up the middle for another FAU touchdown, concluding the half with a 35-17 score.
The third quarter began with the Warhawks receiving, moving the ball forward before a few incomplete passes allowed for the Owl defense to get a stop. Murray’s field goal attempt was no good, as FAU started back on offense. The team turned the ball over on downs for the second drive of the game, the Warhawks getting another chance to capitalize. But a three-and-out held the home team without a score.
Veltkamp continued the deep balls in the second half, a 36-yard toss to Dom Henry landing the Owls in the end zone yet again. The momentum continued to drive the visiting team, as a sack set up a long punt for ULM.
Entering the fourth quarter, an early fumble was forced by Jonathan Crain, but FAU recovered it. Crain ended the night with three tackles and the forced fumble. Even as the Owls continued to push, the Warhawk defense pushed back, forcing incomplete passes as the visitors settled for a 29-yard field goal. As time began to expire, the teams traded punts until the final seconds, FAU kneeling to secure the 45-17 victory.
The Warhawks will hit the road to open Sun Belt play, facing South Alabama at 6 p.m. in Mobile on October 3.