Kenderick Marbles sacks vs. UTEP 2020
31
Winner UTEP UTEP 3-1
6
ULM ULM 0-3
Winner
UTEP UTEP
3-1
31
Final
6
ULM ULM
0-3
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
UTEP UTEP 7 17 0 7 31
ULM ULM 0 0 6 0 6

Game Recap: Football |

ULM Stumbles in Non-Conference Game to UTEP, 31-6

By Paul Letlow, ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist

MONROE, La. – Sluggish starts are a troublesome trend for ULM through three games.

The Warhawks fell behind early again on Saturday and failed to rally at Malone Stadium in a 31-6 loss to UTEP.

"0-3 is not how we planned on starting," receiver Jahquan Bloomfield said. "We had to deal with COVID and a lot of adjusting, but we know we have the guys and the talent in the locker room to be playing better and doing better. That's what we hope to do. Turn the page and not look back on this one."

Now outscored, 35-7, in the first quarter this season, ULM (0-3) didn't have the answer after UTEP (3-1) came out in attack mode and never let up.

"We've just got to do better in the game, both offensively and defensively" ULM coach Matt Viator said. "We're getting behind in these games and that's not a good recipe."

In building a 24-0 halftime lead, UTEP outgained ULM, 330-74, and ran 40 plays to ULM's 18. The Warhawks were 0-for-5 on third-down conversions and managed just two first downs while possessing the ball just 9:06 through two quarters.

Colby Suits started at quarterback and completed 17-of-27 passes for 186 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The offense was limited to 45 plays with six first downs and finished 0-for-11 on third-down conversions.

With ULM playing catch-up, the Warhawks never got their running game going and finished with 7 net rushing yards.

"We're trying different things and that's the frustrating thing," Viator said. "We're trying some different things through the weeks here, and we're not obviously doing very good in the run game at all."

Overall, the underdog Miners outgained ULM with 512 yards on 72 plays to 193. Quarterback Gavin Hardison completed 13-of-25 passes for 302 yards and delivered big days to receivers Justin Garrett (7 catches for 120 yards) and Jacob Cowing (3 for 102). Running back Deion Hankins scored three touchdowns and added 118 yards on 22 carries.

"It was very frustrating but we've just got to keep fighting," ULM safety Jabari Johnson said. "We can't point the finger at one person. Just keep going hard and get better day by day."

Another glaring issue, the Warhawks couldn't get UTEP off the field on third down as the Miners converted 11-of-17.

"When you look at it, we're not doing anything really good starting with coaching," Viator said. "We're just not putting our guys in positions to make plays. We're not playing much better either."

Hardison completed 5-of-10 passes for 160 yards in the first quarter to set the tone. UTEP staggered the Warhawks with big aerial plays in the opening quarter, including an 82-yard reception by Cowing to the ULM 2. Hankins pounded in the touchdown on the next play with 7:40 to play at the Minors led 7-0.

ULM squandered a big play of its own after Suits and Jevin Frett connected for a 49-yard gain to the UTEP 16. Three plays later, UTEP's Duron Lowe picked off Suits at the 3 as he targeted Frett again.

The Miners shifted their offensive attack to the ground early in the second quarter as Hankins ripped off a 37-yard run to the ULM 7. Hankins finished the drive with two more runs, including a 1-yard touchdown to give UTEP a 14-0 lead with 13:33 left in the half.

Hankins' third touchdown gave UTEP a 21-0 lead with 6:57 remaining in the second quarter. His bullish 8-yard run capped a nine-play, 73-yard drive.

The Miners boosted their advantage to 24-0 on Gavin Baechle's 42-yard field goal with 21 seconds left in the half.

Quarterback Jeremy Hunt directed the offense for the first two series in the second half but Suits returned after Keilos Swinney recovered a UTEP fumble at the ULM 45. Suits hit four-straight passes with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Jahquan Bloomfield to finally get ULM on the scoreboard, 24-6, with 55 seconds remaining in the third quarter. After a penalty on ULM's 2-point conversion try, Zach Elder missed the PAT.

With reserves in the game late and UTEP running out the clock, Ronald Awatt broke loose for a 23-yard touchdown with 2:32 left remaining.

"We're just getting behind in every game," Viator said. "In the second half, when you're behind 24 points, it's hard to get a running game going and have an opportunity to win the game."

Up next: ULM plays host to Georgia Southern on Oct. 3. The Sun Belt Conference game begins at 6 p.m.

Tail feathers: Cornerback Kenderick "Bunny" Marbles sacked Hardison for an 8-yard loss on ULM's first defensive series and forced UTEP into a long FG try. Baechle missed from 51 yards. … ULM has rushed for 111 yards through three games. … ULM wore white pants with maroon jerseys. … ULM's game captains: wide receiver Jonathan Hodoh along with tight ends Tyler Lamm and Josh Pederson. ... The game was televised nationally by ESPN2, with Clay Matvick and Rocky Boiman calling the action.
 
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