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Henry, Jackson Gave ULM Offense a Big-Play Boost in 29-16 Win over Troy

Henry, Jackson Gave ULM Offense a Big-Play Boost in 29-16 Win over Troy

Football
By ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist Paul Letlow

MONROE, La.  – Like a seasoned shade tree mechanic, coordinator Rich Rodriguez keeps tinkering with the ULM offense to keep it moving.

"Rich is finding ways to manufacture an offense," ULM coach Terry Bowden said. "To find a little bit of this we can do; a little bit of that we can do."

While the Warhawks (2-1, 1-0 in the Sun Belt Conference) still sputter at times, the offense contributed its share of chunk plays in Saturday night's 29-16 win over Troy at Malone Stadium.

"We came out and threw deep early and took it right down and scored a touchdown," Bowden said. "Second half, came down and scored a touchdown. With fourth-and-inches, Rich wanted to go for it. We went for it and broke a long touchdown run there with Andrew Henry to give us a big margin there."

A featured running back emerged as Henry rushed for 108 yards on 19 carries, including a 40-yard touchdown scamper on fourth down to finish the opening drive of the third quarter. He added a 26-yard run in the fourth quarter.

"We're narrowing it down," Bowden said. "You saw Andrew Henry became the guy we left in the game almost all of the time. There were a lot of plays that got one or two yards but we feel like now after three games, he is the back that gives us the best chance to have big plays because he's got more speed. And he's a tough runner. But he's got more speed and so he's our number one guy. We don't have three any more. We have one, and everybody else helps him when he needs a rest."

Henry showcased that speed in the third quarter on fourth-and-1 as he darted outside around left end and motored 40 yards for a 17-3 ULM lead.

A transfer from Trinity Valley Community College, Henry arrived at ULM ranked as the No. 6 JUCO running back by 247Sports.com. Trinity Valley Community College didn't play a fall schedule in 2020,  but Henry averaged 7.7 yards per carry (22 rushes for 54 yards) and scored one rushing touchdown in seven games as a freshman at Fort Scott Community College in 2019.

ULM only threw 19 passes with quarterbacks Rhett Rodriguez and Chandler Rogers sharing snaps but the Warhawks averaged 15.3 yards per completion.  Rodriguez found a big-play target outside early in the contest in Zach Jackson. The 6-foot, 196-pounder caught four passes for 80 yards and a 23-yard touchdown, including a 31-yard reception to spark the team on ULM's first offensive drive.

"Zach did a great job at wide receiver," Bowden said. "We've played three or four receivers mostly, and he's one of them. But he really has come along. We felt like he has a lot of potential. He's physical, very physical and he's able to go up one on one with cornerbacks, as big as he is, and make plays. He came through for us tonight."

The box score wasn't overwhelming as ULM gained 290 yards on 60 plays, punted seven times and finished 2-of-12 on third-down conversions. Bowden conceded there's still plenty of room to improve.

"We're still a work in progress as an offense," Bowden said. "But we're a work in progress as a team."

Defensive dynamite: ULM's defense turned in a strong performance that also put points on the scoreboard. Defensive end Ty Shelby's end zone sack was good for a ULM safety and linebacker Ja'Cquez Williams scored off a 96-yard interception return.

"We've got some players each week that keep impressing me in the way they play," Bowden said. "We're driven by a strong defensive group of players."

A Wake Forest transfer, Williams delivered the knockout punch with a pivotal pick six that extended ULM's lead to 29-10. The play came on first-and-goal from the ULM 6 with the Warhawks protecting a 22-10 and squashed Troy's hope of a potential comeback.

"That was the one that kind of sealed the deal," Bowden said.

Bowden added, ""That was an MVP play of the game, because it solidified the way the game was going to end."

Shelby is a consistent disruptive force at defensive end and leads the team with five sacks. After ULM downed a punt inside the Troy 5, Shelby got his hands on Troy quarterback Taylor Powell in the end zone,  forcing an intentional grounding that resulted in a sack and a safety.

"Dadgum, Ty Shelby just makes plays from that position," Bowden said. "Although he's not that skinny, tall, lean guy, he's very physical. He's become outstanding at that position."

Adam Sparks led ULM with 10 tackles and contributed one pass break-up. Traveion Webster had nine tackles and shared a sack with Caleb Thomas. Troy rushed for just 67 yards.

"When you play great defense, you can play against everybody," Bowden said. "You might have to get hot one day on offense to beat some of the better teams. But by playing great defense, you can compete against everybody in the conference."

Enemy lines: A 24-point underdog, ULM handled Troy (2-2, 0-1) from start to finish.

"Really disappointed we didn't play better," Troy head coach Chip Lindsey said. "Give Monroe some credit, they did a good job tonight. Obviously, I didn't have our guys ready to play. That's on me. That's my responsibility."

Fanning the flames: "Boy, the fans, I don't know how many were there but it was loud and energetic. They were so involved in the game." – Bowden on the impact ULM's crowd of 12,766 had on his team.

 
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