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The ULM Warhawks rushed for a season-high 268 yards against Arkansas State and escaped Jonesboro with a 19-17 victory over the Red Wolves. The Red Wolves dominated through the air but were unable to finish drives down the stretch, leaving the door wide open for ULM to claim their second victory of the season.
Arkansas State’s offense came out swinging on the first drive of the game, including a Trey Owens 40-yard pass completion to Jaylen Bonelli and bringing the Red Wolves into the redzone. But a negative rush and two incompletions would lead to a 39-yard field goal attempt that would come up empty.
ULM would capitalize on the next drive by establishing their run game, ripping multiple 10+ yard runs as they marched down the field and broke the tie with an Aidan Armenta keeper. The extra point was blocked by Arkansas State.
The Red Wolves would answer on the ensuing drive using a series of short plays and a ULM pass interference call, they answered with a 17-yard Hunter Summers touchdown reception in the middle of the field.
Arkansas State’s defense would be the first to come to life, ending ULM’s 80-yard drive that spanned almost seven minutes with an interception by defensive end Tony Carter on their own 4-yard line. The Red Wolves wasted no time scoring off the turnover, with Owens ripping off a 48-yard rush to set up a Timothy Carter 4-yard touchdown run just two plays later to put Arkansas State up 14-6 midway through the second quarter.
After an eight play drive, ULM was forced to punt but got the ball back after Armoni Rue notched his first interception of the season, setting them up in the red zone near the end of the half. The Warhawks opted to kick a field goal on first down to make the score 14-9 going into halftime, ULM would recieve the second half kickoff.
Halftime: ULM 9, Arkansas State 14
The Warhawks came out of halftime on fire, marching down the field on eleven plays and capping it off with another Aiden Armenta touchdown run to put ULM up 16-14 early in the second half. The defense would respond on Arkansas State’s ensuing drive with a Kevontay Wells sack, forcing a turnover on downs.
Arkansas State’s defense would get the ball back almost immediately after forcing Aiden Armenta to throw his second interception of the day, this time to Makai Shahid for a 17-yard return to the ULM 44-yard line. An unfortunate unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the play put the Red Wolves on the cusp of the red zone.
ULM’s defense came back out with the same intensity, highlighted by a Nick Flemmings sack to force an Arkansas State punt after going three-and-out. The Warhawks’ offense would come back out with a different man at the helm, subbing out Armenta for sophomore Austin Carlisle. His first drive ended in a punt resulting in a touchback.
The Red Wolves opted to chew the clock on their next drive, passing the ball only twice as they made their way into field goal range, booting one through from 41 yards out to put Arkansas State back in front 17-16 with just under six minutes to play.
The Warhawk offense answered after a Carlisle 25-yard scamper and an ASU roughing the passer penalty pushed ULM into Red Wolves territory to set up a 40-yard field goal and put them back on top 19-17. Arkansas State would get the ball back just after the two-minute timeout.
ASU opted to keep the ball in the air for this drive in an attempt to exploit ULM’s passing defense down the stretch. Owens completed a 12-yard pass to leading receiver Jaylen Bonelli for his third reception of the game and was stopped at their own 44-yard line.
After tossing an incompletion, Owens attempted a deep pass to Chauncy Cobb that was intercepted on the sideline by Gavin Howard. The call was reviewed and upheld by replay and gave ULM the final possession of the game, leading to a 19-17 Warhawks victory.
ULM improves to 2-7 overall and 2-3 in conference play, surpassing their conference win total from last season. The Warhawks will play Louisiana this Thursday at home in Monroe.
Arkansas State falls to 4-5 overall, watching their chances at a Sun Belt West crown evaporate after dropping to 2-3 in the conference and LA Tech remaining undefeated in conference play. The Red Wolves will hit the road next weekend and visit the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in Conway.