The University of Louisiana Warhawks snap a losing skid to claim their first win of the season and in Sun Belt play, scoring twice in the final 20 seconds of the game to overtake the Trojans. The last time ULM scored in the final two minutes to win a game was in 2018, in the season opener against Southeastern Louisiana.
ULM was a perfect three-for-three in the red zone, also perfect from fourth down. Despite allowing the University of Troy to record almost 33 minutes of possession, the Warhawks found 243 yards to Troy’s 200, with 17 first downs to Troy’s 12. The Warhawk defense held strong with 93 tackles, six for loss, five pass breakups, and four sacks for 26 yards.
The game was a strong defensive matchup, with both teams forcing a combined 18 punts. Makenzie Ryan reached a career high of nine punts with a 41.4 average and three inside the 20. After the Trojan defense forced a punt in ULM’s opening drive, the home team went on a nine-minute-long drive that concluded with a Tucker Kilcrease pass to Gavin Griffin for the touchdown and the lead.
While the Warhawks continued a long drive, led by quarterback Aidan Armenta, the first quarter ended with a 7-0 score. Abram Murray opened the second quarter with a field goal from 35 yards to land on the board, ULM clawing back from behind. After Billy Pullen and the Warhawks had Troy punting, it was ULM’s turn again.
Noah Flemmings led the defense with 15 tackles, breaking his career-best and becoming the first Warhawk since 2024 to record 15+ tackles in a game. Taijh Overton and Marcus Ross both showed stellar stat lines as well, each with two pass breakups, with Overton crossing 10 tackles.
Both teams traded punts after a fumble was forced by Troy’s Keyshawn Campbell and recovered by the Trojans. With a chance to double the lead on the ULM21, Goose Crowder’s touchdown pass was intercepted by DJ Jester. But the defenses held strong in keeping it even, as neither team could find another score in the first half; the score was 7-3.
After three more punts, a long drive from the Trojans got the home team to the end zone. Griffin rushed one yard up the middle to extend the lead to 11. Down with six minutes on the clock, Aidan Armenta took control of the offense to march downfield. Armenta ended the night 13-of-22 with 147 yards and two touchdowns. Austin Carlisle also saw action at quarterback, completing four-of-nine passes and rushing for seven yards.
Long passes to Nic Trujillo and Darrion Gilliam had the Warhawks crossing midfield as time worked against them. After a handful of passes to JP Coulter, ULM saw the red zone, and Armenta got the ball to Bryce Anderson for the 12-yard touchdown. Coulter led receivers with 32 yards from five catches, Trujillo and Gilliam logging 30 yards apiece.
Unable to convert for two points, the gap remained at five for ULM, the home team gaining possession with 2:30 on the clock. But a major 10-yard sack from James Smith shut down the Trojans and handed possession to the feisty Warhawks. A ball to Palmer-Smith had ULM moving in the right direction, Palmer-Smith leading the team with 51 yards off 11 carries.
With less than two minutes on the clock, a long 23-yard pass had the team in the red zone yet again. Amenta found Gilliam for the 16-yard touchdown; another two-point conversion failed as the Warhawks found themselves ahead by one with 15 seconds remaining.
Kevontay Wells and Pullen led the charge in the final drive, as Wells recorded 1.5 sacks in the final two snaps, placing Troy on its own 11-yard line. Trying to work out a trick play as time expired, the ball was handed off to multiple Trojans before the ball was fumbled. Forced by Flemming, it was recovered by Pullen in the end zone, logging the touchdown and sealing the victory, 21-14.