jJa'Cquez Williams 96-yard INT return vs Troy 2021
Siddharth Gaulee/ULM Photo Services
16
Troy TRY 2-2 , 0-1
29
Winner ULM ULM 2-1 , 1-0
Troy TRY
2-2 , 0-1
16
Final
29
ULM ULM
2-1 , 1-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
TRY Troy 0 3 7 6 16
ULM ULM 7 3 10 9 29

Game Recap: Football |

ULM Dominates Troy in Sun Belt Opener, 29-16

By ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist Paul Letlow

MONROE, La.  – The public address system at Malone Stadium provided timely background music as the Warhawks started the fourth quarter against Troy.

"I Won't Back Down," by Tom Petty gave ULM its anthem on a night of dominance by the home team. Swarming defense, a robust running game and a handful of big offensive plays sparked a 29-16 win over Troy in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams.

"It's as big a win as I've had in my career," ULM coach Terry Bowden said. "Each place I go, there's a game you want to be a defining moment. We've got to build from this and we've got to get better from this."

Ja'Cquez Williams punctuated ULM's defensive performance when he returned an interception 96 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. It was ULM's first interception return for a score since Corey Straughter's 57-yard pick six at Florida State in 2019. The longest in school history was 100 yards by Pat Dennis against Nicholls State in 1998.

"The ball popped up and it seemed like it hung in the air forever," said Williams, a linebacker transfer from Wake Forest. "I just caught it in stride and do what I do best and just take off."

Coming off a 12-7 victory over Jackson State, ULM (2-1, 1-0 SBC) now has its first winning streak since taking four straight in 2018. The Warhawks were 24-point underdogs coming into the game, according to the odds makers but never trailed the Trojans.

"I'm so proud of our players," Bowden said. "I think we saw last week that our players are a 60-minute ball team. They know they've got to play 60."

Sophomore running back Andrew Henry provided 108 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Rhett Rodriguez completed 10-of-16 passes for 131 yards and a score.

"I'm really proud of the defense," Rodriguez said. "The defense did such a good job tonight and that gives the offense a lot of confidence."

Although Troy outgained the Warhawks, 364-297, the Trojans couldn't keep drives alive. ULM's defense limited Troy to 5-of-15 on third down conversions. Troy came into the game converting 48 percent on third downs (19-of-40).

"We can't take a play off," defensive end Ty Shelby said. "That's shows on Saturday nights the way we fly around and the way we hit. We've got to make plays every time."

The conference win was ULM's first since beating Coastal Carolina on Nov. 23, 2019.

ULM's first offensive opportunity turned into "The Zach Jackson Showcase." Jackson hauled in a 31-yard pass during the series, then finished the mission with a 23-yard touchdown catch from Rhett Rodriguez with 8:03 left in the first quarter. The Warhawks, after forcing a punt on Troy's first possession, moved 80 yards in eight plays to go ahead 7-0.

"We came out ready to play and we came out ready to score early in all three games," Bowden said.

Still down by a touchdown, Troy faced fourth-and-7 from the ULM 39 to begin the second quarter and the Warhawks delivered a huge defensive stand. Caleb Thomas and Traveion Webster blasted through to sack Troy quarterback Taylor Powell for a 9-yard loss to the ULM 48 and a turnover on downs.

On the ensuing drive, Chandler Rogers took the offensive reins for ULM and directed a nine-play, 43-yard drive. Calum Sutherland's 26-yard field goal gave the Warhawks a 10-0 lead with 10:14 to go before halftime. Rogers completed a 37-yard pass to Jared Sparks and rushed five times for 26 yards to set up the kick.

The turnover bug bit the Warhawks with 3:44 left in the second quarter when Rogers fumbled and Troy's Javon Soloman recovered at the ULM 22. But on third-and-7, Keilos Swinney stopped Reggie Todd after a 5-yard reception and Troy was forced to settle for Brooks Buce's 32-yard field goal to narrow the gap to 10-3.

ULM outgained Troy, 171-136, in the first half while holding the Trojans to 3-of-10 on third down conversions. Big plays were part of the formula as ULM averaged 20.2 yards per completion while Troy was held to 7.7 yards per catch.

"We made some big plays early, but we had the turnover and it led to three points," Bowden said as he left the field at halftime. "That's the one thing we didn't want to do is give up points on a turnover.

"But we're playing well defensively and I've seen some big plays on offense. If we continue to play this well offensively and defensively, we'll win the football game."

Rodriguez came out to lead the ULM offense to open the second half and directed a methodical eight-play, 75-yard scoring drive aided by a third-and-11 pass interference call. Then on fourth-and-1 at the Troy 40, Henry darted outside and raced untouched to the end zone to give ULM a 17-3 lead at the 11:56 mark of the third quarter.

Troy finally came to life offensively on the next drive, counter punching with a 49-yard touchdown pass from Powell to Luke Whittemore. After the seven-play, 77-yard series, the Trojans trailed 17-10 with 8:57 left in the third.

ULM went back up by 10 on Sutherland's 32-yard field goal with 5:19 to go in the third. The Warhawks moved 60 yards in eight plays to recoup three points after surrendering the big play.

The defense got in on the scoring with a safety in the fourth quarter as Shelby was credited with his fifth sack of the year. ULM led 22-10 with 13:52 to go.

Trailing by 12, Troy was threatening to score with 9:40 remaining when Powell's pass was broken up by Adam Sparks and plucked on the carom by Williams, who raced up the sidelines to put ULM up 29-10.

Sparks led the defense with 10 tackles. ULM recorded five tackles for losses, including three sacks.

"We've got to enjoy this and appreciate how far this group of guys has come to play together," Bowden said. "New guys mixed in with old guys and getting rid of that stigma that you can't win."

Something special: Devyn McCormick's 55-yard punt, downed at the Troy 4 by Traveion Webster in the fourth quarter, led to a safety that extended ULM's lead to 22-10.

Good call: Zach Jackson came into the contest with just one catch for 5 yards, but Rodriguez connected with him twice for 54 yards and a touchdown as ULM scored on its opening possession. ULM has scored on its first series in all three games.

Enemy lines: Powell completed 34-of-48 yards for 297 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. Kimani Vidal gained 60 yards on 12 attempts, but Troy managed just 67 yards on 23 attempts overall, averaging 2.9 yards.

Up next: ULM plays its first Sun Belt Conference road game on Oct. 2 with a trip to No. 17 Coastal Carolina. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m. The Chanticleers (4-0) blasted UMass 53-3 on Saturday.

Tail feathers: L Club Hall of Fame receiver Stepfret Williams served as honorary captain for ULM's Sun Belt Conference opener. Williams recorded three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 1993-95. … Andrew Henry made his second ULM start at running back. Henry started the opener at Kentucky. … "Boogie Nights," the 1976 disco offering by Heatwave, played after a Boogie Knight punt return in the second quarter. … Center Victor Cutler left the game with an injury early in the second half. Garrett Hirsch replaced him in the lineup although Cutler later returned to action.
 
Andrew Henry 40-yard TD run vs Troy 2021
 
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