The Basics
--Score: Arkansas State 59, ULM 21
--Records: Arkansas State (7-3, 6-0 Sun Belt), ULM (1-9, 0-6 Sun Belt)
--Location: JPS Field at Malone Stadium – Monroe, La.
--Attendance: 9,063
How It Happened
--Arkansas State took a 7-0 lead at the 6:17 mark of the first quarter as Johnston White scored from one yard out. The two-play drive was highlighted by a 65-yard reception by Dijon Paschal.
--After an Earnest Carrington interception, the Red Wolves used a 27-yard touchdown pass from Fredi Knighten to Tres Houston to push the lead to 14-0 with 12:59 to play in the second quarter.
--The Warhawks responded with a six-play, 65-yard drive that culminated with a 39-yard touchdown pass from Earnest Carrington to Marcus Green with 11:16 to play in the second quarter. The Red Wolves' interception of Earnest Carrington was reversed but the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty called against Arkansas State was still enforced on the drive.
--After forcing the Red Wolves to go three-and-out, the Warhawks used a five-play, 54-yard drive that ended with an Earnest Carrington one-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 14-14 with 5:33 to play in the second quarter. The Warhawks mixed runs and passes on the drive as the Warhawks completed two passes and rushed twice as well as picking up a first down via pass interference.
--Arkansas State responded with a five-play, 77-yard drive that resulted in a 50-yard touchdown pass from Fredi Knighten to Tres Houston to put the Red Wolves ahead by seven (21-14) with 4:04 to play until the break.
--ULM answered right back with a one-play, 85 yard drive that evened the game at 21-21. Ben Luckett's 85 yard scamper was the longest play from scrimmage for the Warhawks this season and it ranks as the second longest rush in program history.
--Arkansas State went ahead 28-21 as Fredi Knighten hit Chris Murray for a 53-yard touchdown with 2:23 to play until the half. The Red Wolves pushed the lead to 14 at 35-21 as Fredi Knighten hit Tres Houston for a 17-yard score with nine seconds to play until the break.
--Arkansas State connected on a 34-yard field goal with 6:20 to play in the third quarter to extend the lead to 17 (38-21). Later in the third quarter, Arkansas State's Money Hunter intercepted Earnest Carrington and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown.
--The Red Wolves added two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to claim a 59-21 win.
Inside (and Beyond) The Box Score
--ULM captains: Rashon Ceaser (offense), Gerrand Johnson (defense)
--Arkansas State captains: Jemar Clark, Darion Griswald, Chris Humes and Waylon Roberson.
--Arkansas State won the opening coin toss and deferred to the second half.
--Saturday's game marked the first time ULM played a home game that had an afternoon kick time since the 2012 season (North Texas, Nov. 17, 2012, 3 p.m.).
--Aaron Townsend recovered his first career fumble as he jumped on top of a Chris Qualls' punt that hit Arkansas State's Brandon Byner early in the first quarter.
--Cody Robinson started at linebacker and it was his first game since leaving the Appalachian State game (Oct. 17) due to injury.
--The ULM defense forced Arkansas State to punt on its first offensive drive. The Warhawks have now forced a punt on six of 10 opening drives and the Warhawks have yet to allow a TD to any team on an opening drive (six punts, four made field goals).
--Chris Qualls faked a punt and picked up a first down thanks to a first down rush midway through the first quarter. It was his second fake punt of the season and the second successful attempt (five yard pass to Harley Scioneaux for a first down in the second quarter at Alabama, Sept. 26).
--Ben Banogu recorded his fourth sack of the season as he brought down Red Wolves' quarterback Fredi Knighten for a 10-yard loss late in the first quarter.
--Michael Johnson picked up his second sack of the season as he brought down Fredi Knighten for a 16-yard loss early in the second quarter.
--Marcus Green hauled in his fifth touchdown of the season as Earnest Carrington found him for a 39-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. Marcus Green has now recorded a touchdown in five consecutive games.
--The rushing touchdown by Earnest Carrington in the second quarter was his first career rushing score.
--Ben Luckett's 85-yard touchdown rush late in the second quarter is the second longest run from scrimmage in school history. It bested Harvey Johnson's 81 yard rush against Jacksonville State in 1973. Luckett's rush is now second to Aubrey Wade's 97 yard run vs. Delta State in 1956.
--Ben Luckett's 85-yard touchdown run is also the longest play from scrimmage (run or pass) for ULM in the Warhawks' Sun Belt era (2001-pres.).
--Ben Luckett's touchdown rush was his second rushing score of the 2015 season.
--ULM forced Arkansas State to go three-and-out on its first second half possession. It is the sixth time (in 10 games) that the Warhawks have not surrendered points on an opponent's second half opening drive (four punts, one missed field goal, one blocked field goal).
--The ULM defense finished with nine total tackles for loss and two sacks.
--Hunter Kissinger led the way with 13 total tackles (eight solo, five asst).
--Michael Johnson tallied a game high 2.5 tackles for loss.
Up Next
--The Warhawks will have a short turnaround as they travel to San Marcos, Texas for a Thursday night contest at Texas State. Kickoff is slated for 8:30 p.m. CT and the game will air on ESPNU.
For updates on the football squad, be sure to follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
