MONROE, La. – The ULM football team (4-1, 2-0 Sun Belt Conference) handed undefeated James Madison (4-1, 0-1) its first loss of the season on Saturday (Oct. 5) night with a dramatic 21-19 victory at Malone Stadium. The win marks the first time a ULM football team has started 4-1 in the FBS era and is the best start since 1993.
“We’re starting to learn how to win,” said ULM Head Coach Bryant Vincent. “It’s personal to us that we bring back the pride to ULM. When we unite as a town, we can build something special here. I’m just proud of this town.”
ULM grinded out the win after getting scores from a 38-yard Ahmad Hardy rushing touchdown, a scoop and score forced by Seidrion Langston that was picked up by Daniel Knudsen and a 12-yard touchdown pass from Aidan Armenta to Jake Godfrey. The Warhawks came away with the hard-fought victory despite JMU outgaining the Warhawks 399-257 in total offense. ULM’s defense forced four turnover on downs, including two in the final two minutes of the game, to seal the win.
Individually, Hardy led ULM’s rushing attack with 82 yards for a 5.9 yards per carry average to go along with his score. Armenta completed 17 passes on 30 attempts for 147 yards and one touchdown pass to Godfrey. Godfrey was the Warhawks’ leading receiver with seven catches for 60 yards and the game-winning touchdown. Artis Cole added two catches for 46 yards, including a 30-yard completion from Armenta.
Defensively, Wydett Williams Jr. was ULM’s leading tackler with nine total tackles and a pass breakup. Carl Glass Jr. wrecked havoc in the backfield with a 13-yard sack and seven total tackles. Langston forced the key fumble, which was scooped up by Knudsen for one of ULM’s scores.
On special teams, Makenzie Ryan flipped the field and downed all six of his punts inside the 20-yard line, including one at the three-yard line that led to a three-and-out stop for the defense in the first half. The freshman from Kyabram, Australia has downed 14 punts this season inside the 20-yard line.
After falling behind 10-0 in the first quarter, the Warhawks roared back to take a 14-13 lead before the end of the first half. True freshman running back Ahmad Hardy continued to dazzle and scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the season with after a 38-yard rush with 5:45 to go in the half. After a defensive stop by the Warhawks, the Dukes regained possession following a muffed punt deep into ULM territory. The ULM defense answered with a turning-point play when linebacker Seidrion Langston punched loose the football from JMU quarterback Alonza Barnett III and Daniel Knudsen returned the fumble for an 82-yard scoop and score. James Madison narrowed ULM’s lead to 14-13 before the end of the first half when Noe Ruelas connected on a 39-yard field goal.
After three drives between ULM and JMU ended in punts, the Dukes faced a 4th and 4 at the ULM 37-yard line late in the third quarter. Barnett III overthrew Omarion Dollison and the Warhawks maintained a 14-13 lead. ULM faced a 4th and 1 on the next drive at its own 46-yard line. Armenta appeared to make his way to the sideline, but Hardy took a direct snap in the backfield and charged ahead for five yards to move the chains and keep the drive moving for the Warhawks before the end of the third quarter.
Armenta hit Cole down the sideline for a 30-yard gain to put ULM in James Madison territory on the same drive. On second down, Armenta scrambled for a 13-yard rush to set up first and goal for ULM. ULM scored on second and goal when Armenta lofted a fade to Godfrey in the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown completion that put the Warhawks ahead, 21-13.
The Dukes answered with a 15-play, 75-yard scoring drive that lasted 6:26 to bring the ULM lead to two points. Barnett III’s pass attempt on the two-point try was broken up by ULM and the Warhawks stayed in front, 21-19 with just over four minutes to go. After the Warhawks failed to move the chains on the next drive, Ryan downed the Dukes at their own 18-yard line on the punt.
Following a JMU first down, the Dukes committed a holding penalty that backed the football up to the JMU 24 at the two-minute timeout. After a 10-yard gain, David Godsey Jr. broke up Barnett III’s pass on third down to set up a 4th and 10. Barnett III’s pass missed the mark on fourth down, and ULM controlled possession at JMU’s 34. The Dukes prevented the Warhawks from draining the clock and regained possession with 32 seconds remaining at its own 14. ULM’s defense answered the bell one more time and the Warhawks stunned the Dukes with a two-point win at Malone Stadium.
The ULM football team will look to keep things rolling at home next Saturday versus Southern Miss in the team’s homecoming game on Oct. 12 at 4 p.m. from Malone Stadium.
