Brennen Zigler/Bigg Zigg Photography
MONROE, La. – The ULM football team (3-1, 1-0 Sun Belt) picked up a resounding victory over the Arkansas State Red Wolves (1-4, 0-1 Sun Belt) on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 27) at Malone Stadium. The 28-16 homecoming win is the first for ULM in the series since 2009. After falling down 10-0 early, the Warhawks battled back with four touchdowns to claim the victory.
“The focus, the preparation, it was tremendous,” said head coach Bryant Vincent. “I thought our coaching staff and our players really owned their preparation going into this game.”
Aidan Armenta led the offense, completing 16 of 25 passes (64%) for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Jonathan Bibbs led with 28 yards over four catches. Godfrey had the long 37-yard touchdown reception to add to his two catches for 40 yards.
The Warhawks led the Red Wolves in total yards (392), putting up 217 rushing yards. Zach Palmer-Smith led with 84 yards from eight carries, scoring a touchdown and averaging 10.5 yards per carry. Braylon McReynolds also posting a rushing touchdown, totaling 73 yards on 13 carries.
The defense had a day of their own, as ULM held Arkansas State to just 17 rushing yards, registering six sacks, 11 tackles for loss, an interception, a fumble recovery and a blocked field goal. Kristopher Robinson led in tackles with eight, also picking up the interception and a tackle for loss. Dylan Howell posted two sacks in the contest, while D’Arco Perkins-McAllister, James Smith, Kevontay Wells and Jaeden Calender each also snagged one.
The first drive for the Warhawks turned into a scoring opportunity for the Red Wolves, as Brandon Greil intercepted Armenta’s pass for a pick-six and the 7-0 lead with 13:28 remaining in the first quarter.
The ULM offense got the ball back, but a quick three-and-out returned the ball back to Arkansas State. ULM’s defense then returned the turnover favor, with Robinson intercepting Jaylen Raynor’s pass.
The Warhawks and the Red Wolves continued to trade punts before Arkansas State was able to add to the tally, getting close enough for a Clune Van Andel 51-yard field goal. Another punt for the Warhawks concluded the first quarter, with the Red Wolves leading 10-0.
“We were down 10-0 and we didn’t blink,” said quarterback Aidan Armenta. “That says a lot about our culture and the guys we have on our team.”
Two sacks for ULM–by Howell and Wells–opened the second quarter to shut down the Arkansas State offense and force a punt. With 12:28 remaining in the half, ULM picked up the momentum, McReynolds quickly posting a 24-yard carry. Griffin followed things up with a 16-yard reception to enter opponent territory, slowly marching toward the end zone. A penalty for the Red Wolves further advanced the Warhawks, with a pass to Julian Nixon getting the Warhawks on the board.
The ULM defense continued to force three-and-outs for Arkansas State, as the Red Wolves were unable to fire back after the touchdown. The Warhawks regained control of the ball with just under three minutes left in the half, quickly marching downfield and setting up another score. Armenta launched the ball 37 yards to Jake Godfrey for the 14-10 lead at halftime, a lead they would maintain through the second half, with D’Arco Perkins-McAllister blocking Van Andel’s field goal attempt.
The second half began just as strong for ULM’s defense, with Flemmings forcing and recovering a fumble to put the ball back in Warhawk hands. A 19-yard rush by Brandon Buckhaulter set up another play in the red zone. McReynolds carried the ball 18 yards up the middle for the third touchdown of the day and picking up the 21-10 lead with 9:57 remaining in the third quarter.
A four-minute drive for Arkansas State had the opponent slowly marching downfield. ULM’s defense kept battling, preventing the touchdown. The Red Wolves settled for another Van Andel field goal for the 21-13 score.
After another punt from Makenzie Ryan, the fourth quarter picked up for Arkansas State, as the Red Wolves pushed to close the gap in the score. After fumbling the ball–and recovering it themselves–Dylan Howell sacked Raynor for the fifth sack of the game. The Red Wolves settled for another field goal with 12:09 left in the contest.
The Warhawks, determined to extend their lead, quickly got to work, Jonathan Bibbs recording an 11-yard reception and building momentum. Back-to-back penalties on the ULM offense could have slowed the tempo, but it only pushed the home team. Zach Palmer-Smith and McReynolds traded carries, Godfrey then exploding on a 20-yard rush to reach the two-yard line. Palmer-Smith ran it in for his first Warhawk touchdown to extend the lead to 12.
Arkansas State did not quit, however. Raynor led his offense down to the seven-yard line, looking for another touchdown to make it a one-possession game. In the red zone, the Warhawk defense lit up, with Perkins-McAllister sacking Raynor again to bring up fourth down. The Red Wolves turned over the ball on downs with just 1:20 remaining, as ULM looked to cement the victory.
Palmer-Smith added an accent to the final drive, breaking loose and running for 56 yards to get just outside the red zone. The explosive run set up a victory formation for ULM as the clock ran out, relishing in a snapped 16-year streak.
“We came here to make history,” said Vincent. “We came here to change this program. Today was a big step in that direction.”
ULM Football will travel to face their final nonconference opponent in Northwestern on Saturday (Oct. 4) at Martin Stadium. The Warhawks will take on the Wildcats for the first time in program history at 2:30 p.m.
**ULM PRESS RELEASE**
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