The University of Louisiana Monroe football team (2-7, 2-3 Sun Belt) took a second road victory in Sun Belt play on Saturday, November 7th, defeating Arkansas State (4-5, 2-3 Sun Belt). Making the Warhawks undefeated when competing in the Rice Bowl Rivalry.
In the 19-17 score, ULM picked up two interceptions and a season-high 268 rushing yards to add to the total of 389. Both touchdowns were rushing as quarterbacks Aidan Armenta and Austin Carlisle combined for 144 yards on the ground.
The Red Wolves got possession to open the quarter, as ASU’s Trey Owens picked up two first downs, including a 40-yard shot to Jaylen Bonelli. But ULM’s defense forced the field goal, Clune Van Andel’s attempt from 39 yards missing and holding the Red Wolves without a score. Don Chaney held the brunt of the opening drive for the Warhawks, breaking free for 36 yards to convert on third down. The Warhawks converted nine of 16 attempts on third down, a perfect two-for-two on fourth down. Chaney recorded 68 yards on 12 attempts, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. After a 14-yard shot to JP Coulter, Armenta got to the red zone and rushed nine yards to the end zone for the first score. Armenta recorded a completion percentage of 73%, completing 11 of 15 passes for 90 yards, rushing for 33 yards and two touchdowns. Abram Murray’s kick was blocked by Elias Sherman, holding the Warhawks to a lead of 6-0.
The Red Wolves were able to respond as Kenyon Clay continued to find opportunities up the middle. Owens then reached Hunter Summers for 17 yards, finding the end zone. As Van Andel’s extra point landed between the uprights, ASU found the one-point lead as the first quarter concluded.
Armenta connected with Nic Trujillo to open the second quarter, before Bryson Roland broke away for 41 yards to enter the red zone. On the 15-yard line, Armenta’s pass was intercepted by Tony Carter, handing possession and momentum right back to Arkansas State. Two long passes from Owens allowed for a first down quarterback keeper, as Owens ran for 48 yards to ULM territory. Timothy Carter then took the ball four yards to the end zone for another score, the home team gaining the 14-6 advantage with six minutes remaining in the half.
Carlisle entered the contest at quarterback for the Warhawks, two keepers landing back-to-back first downs in his first drive. But two penalties pushed the Warhawks back at crucial moments, forcing the punt from Makenzie Ryan. Ryan did his part, however, as the ball was downed at the one-yard-line. While penalties came strongly against the Warhawks with eight for 65 yards, the home team only picked up three penalties for 28 yards.
After getting to their own 13-yard-line, Owens’ pass was intercepted by Armoni Rue, his second of the season. His takeaway set up position in the red zone for the Warhawks, with just over 30 seconds in the half. After advancing eight yard, Murray was able to nail the 23-yard field goal as time expired, securing the 14-9 score.
The Warhawks got possession to open the second half, as Armenta worked to find the lead for the road team. Armenta ran for 18 yards to earn the first down, crossing midfield with a shot to Roland for 16. But it was the two-yard rush from Armenta that found ULM’s first lead of the day, 16-14.
After early success had the Red Wolves making progress, it was Kevontay Wells who made the difference in the drive. He sacked Owens for 13 yards on fourth down, forcing the turnover on downs. Wells logged five tackles with his 1.5 tackles for loss. With the opportunity to extend the lead to nine, Armenta was picked off again, this time by Makai Shahid. But two stops and a 10-yard sack from Noah Flemmings had the home team punting the ball back. Flemmings led the defense for the sixth-straight game, logging eight tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries.
The Warhawks began to slowly march downfield, with rushes from Carlisle and Chaney to reach midfield before the third quarter concluded. A false start penalty in the opening of the fourth quarter, however, forced the third-and-long as ULM punted the ball, ahead just two.
Arkansas State began utilizing time, with short rushes inching the home team closer to Warhawk territory. Owens and Solomon Baggett traded rushes before Clune Van Andel found the uprights again for the 17-16 lead with less than six minutes to go. Carlisle took the chance to up the rushing game again, breaking away for 25 yards, converting on third down to enter Red Wolf territory. Carlisle was a perfect 4-for-4 for 31 passing yards, rushing for 111 yards to lead the team and remain as ULM’s leading rusher. The field position set up Murray’s second field goal, successful from 40 yards.
With under two minutes to go, Arkansas State worked to find the winning score, finding a first down amidst flags going against the offense. But on third down, first-year Warhawk Gavin Howard recorded his first career interception, sealing the game with a minute to go. Carlisle claimed the first down on the following drive, allowing for the clock to wind down and ULM to clinch yet another road victory.
“We feel really good about our offensive line, we feel like we’ve got a really good offensive line and they proved it tonight...Proud of this team, proud of these coaches. They made history tonight. We’re going to enjoy this one," exclaimed ULM head coach Bryant Vincent.
ULM will return to FMOL Health St. Francis Stadium for a short week, facing UL-Lafayette at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 12th. The game will be televised on ESPN2.
