MONROE, La.?Darrell McNeal scored three touchdowns and Kinsmon Lancaster threw for 237 yards to lead ULM to a 28-14 victory over Florida International, Saturday evening in Malone Stadium on ULM's Homecoming.
McNeal caught touchdown passes of 14 and three yards and ran in a score from 13 yards out. The sophomore from Monroe had seven catches for a career-high 120 yards.
Lancaster entered the game on the Warhawks (2-5, 2-2 Sun Belt) fourth series of the game after redshirt freshman Trey Revell made his first career start. Lancaster finished 15-of-20 for 237 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He moved into a tie for eighth place on the ULM completions list with 235.
ULM continued to be one of the most effective teams in the nation in the red zone converting on all four of its attempts tonight. The Warhawks have scored on 20-of-21 times in the red zone this season and have scored touchdowns on 15-of-21 attempts.
Florida International (0-7, 0-3) opened the scoring with a 23-yard touchdown run by Julian Reams. The drive was set up by a 25-yard punt return by Lionell Singleton giving the Golden Panthers the ball on their own 48-yard line.
Lancaster and McNeal hooked up for the first time with 11:55 remaining in the second quarter tying the game 7-7. The duo connected again right before the half with 51 seconds remaining. It gave the Warhawks a halftime lead for the third time in three home games.
Calvin Dawson tied the ULM career rushing touchdown record with his nine-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. The senior tailback now has 22 on his career tying him with Greg Robinson.
He finished the game with 128 yards on 19 carries; his 15th career 100 yard rushing game and the 11th in the past 12 outings.
FIU pulled within a touchdown early in the fourth quarter on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Wayne Younger to Zap Hawkins with 13:35 to play in the game.
McNeal sealed the deal with his rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter. He lined up at quarterback and broke a couple of tackles on his way into the end zone.
Scoring Summary
FIU-Reams 23 run (Abed kick), 2:22, 1st
ULM-McNeal 14 pass from Lancaster (Wilson kick), 11:55, 2nd
ULM-McNeal 3 pass from Lancaster (Wilson kick), 00:51, 2nd
ULM-Dawson 9 run (Wilson kick), 8:18, 3rd
FIU-Hawkins 19 pass from Younger (Abed kick), 13:35, 3rd
ULM-McNeal 13 run (Wilson), 3:03, 4th
ULM Game Notes:
* FIU won the toss and elected to defer to the second half; ULM received the opening kickoff
* The ULM starting offensive linemen of Kyle Cunningham, Adam Hill, Patrick Avinger and Larry Shappley have now started a combined 162 games between the group; Aaron Schutz missed his second-consecutive game after having his 28 game starting streak ended last week missing the game with a MCL injury.
* Offensive tackle Kyle Cunningham and center Adam Hill extended their consecutive games started streak to 41 games; they has started every game of their career.
* ULM team captains: Kyle Cunningham, Calvin Dawson, Ben Murphy, Kendall Mouton, Adam Hill, Quintez Secka.
* Sophomore Brett Thompson made his first career start, starting at left guard
* Redshirt freshman quarterback Trey Revell made his first career start
* Darrell McNeal caught his third and fourth touchdown passes of the season and the fifth and sixth of his career
* Kinsmon Lancaster tossed his sixth and seventh touchdown passes of the season and the 13th and 14th of his career
* Chance Payne intercepted the first pass of his career; he switched from offense to defense this season
* ULM led at halftime for the third time in three home game this season
* Calvin Dawson tied the ULM school rushing record with his 22nd career rushing touchdown, a nine-yard run in the third quarter
* Dawson rushed for over 100 yards for the 15th time in his career and the sixth time this season. He has gone over 100 yards in 11 of the Warhawks last 12 games.
Florida International Head Coach Mario Cristobal
On the game
“We were looking to come out fundamentally sound. We tackled a little better in the second half, but guys got away from us. We need to be more efficient with the football in the passing game. We did some good things in the running game. We dropped a couple of deep passes that could have made it a different ball game. Our hats are off to ULM for doing a phenomenal job. For Lancaster to go in there and do what he did is truly impressive.”
On coming out slow in the second half
“We were actually a little more efficient in the second half. Obviously we have a ways to go in developing some of our younger players. We are playing 27 freshmen in our top 44. We are working our tails off and surrounding them with talented players. The guys are working their tails off. There is no shame in the amount of effort out there.”
Defensive Back Ashlyn Parker
On the play of the defense
“We just have to work hard, work on tackling as a defense and come out next week ready to play.”
ULM Head Coach Charlie Weatherbie
On starting Trey Revell
“What we told Trey was that we are going to give you a couple of series and see how things go. If we feel like we need to put Kinsmon in the game we will put Kinsmon in the game. That was what we did.”
On the play of Kinsmon Lancaster
“There is no doubt that Kinsmon had a good ball game. He threw the ball well and ran the ball well at times. He picked up a key first down for us on third down at the end of the game. We moved the ball well. I think Trey has a chance to be a real fine quarterback. He threw a couple of balls that were dropped. I think he has a chance to be a real good player.”
On the play of Darrell McNeal
“He is doing a great job. He has a great knack at getting open and he catches the ball. We used him at running the ball at the end of the game and he got us a touchdown in a big play at the end of the game.”
On the play of the defensive line
“I was real impressed with the way we got to the quarterback. I don't know how many of them were coverage sacks. I thought Aaron Morgan did a great job in there rushing. We did a great job on the edges with Alaric Coleman as well. Inside I thought that Kendall Mouton and David Cooper did some really good things as well.”
On Florida Atlantic
“They are a darn good football team. We know what they can do and how talented they are. They are good on defense and talented on offense.”
Wide Receiver Darrell McNeal
On his big game
“It is nice to get the stats, but it feels better to get the win. We got our second win at home and it feels good to win.”
On playing at home
“You have to protect your house. When you are at home, you don't let anybody come in and take over your own house. It's a mindset thing.”
On the play of Kinsmon Lancaster
“He has been getting a lot of criticism. He didn't start the game, but he showed what kind of person he is. I'm really proud of him.”
On Florida Atlantic
“Florida Atlantic is a good team. They are fundamentally sound on defense. We have to come out and play our game and eliminate mistakes.”
Defensive End Aaron Morgan
On getting pressure on the quarterback
“Coach Michel works very hard with us all week on the pass rush and getting pressure on the quarterback and take the heat off the defensive backs. That is just what we tried to do.”
On ending the game strong on defense
“That is one of our goals every week ? not to give up any points in the fourth quarter. Not allowing them to score at the end shows the pride we take on defense.”
On the increased number of sacks over the last few games
“In the first couple of weeks we were worried about the type of offense the other team ran. Of late, we have just focused on getting pressure on the quarterback.”
On the game against Florida Atlantic
“We just have to get focused on Florida Atlantic. They are a good team, but we are also a good team. We are going to go down there, play as a team and hopefully come away with a win.”
