Tyrone Howell caught nine passes for 67 yards, including a game-winning 9-yard touchdown grab with 2:48 left in the game, as ULM rallied for a 17-13 win over Army in the 2023 season opener Saturday night.
Ty Hundley / ULM Football Creative
13
Army West Point AWP 0-1 , 0-0
17
Winner ULM ULM 1-0 , 0-0
Army West Point AWP
0-1 , 0-0
13
Final
17
ULM ULM
1-0 , 0-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
AWP Army West Point 0 10 0 3 13
ULM ULM 0 3 0 14 17

Game Recap: Football |

ULM Plays Lights Out Late, Rallies Past Army 17-13 in Season Opener

By ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist Paul Letlow

MONROE, La. – A power outage at Malone Stadium Saturday night rendered the scoreboard inoperable until midway through the second quarter.

As it turned out, a defensive struggle between ULM and Army in the season opener didn't require many scoring updates in the early going. Power was eventually restored in the venue, and when it counted, ULM would shine under the bright lights too.

The Warhawks overcame a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter, forced five Army turnovers and rallied to claim a 17-13 win before an opening-night crowd of 18,914.

"It was just a great night to find out what kind of commitment our players want to make this year," ULM coach Terry Bowden said.

Trailing 13-3 in the final period, ULM turned to back-up quarterback Hunter Herring to try to spark the offense, but it was a running back who provided the jumpstart the Warhawks were seeking.

After ULM's defense forced Army's fourth punt, sophomore running back Hunter Smith gave his team a jolt of electricity. With 5:43 left in the game, Smith dashed up the middle for a 62-yard touchdown run, the first of his career. The explosive play pulled ULM within 13-10 and brought hope back to the home sideline.

"We said at halftime, we're one big play away and that's what got us back in the game," Herring said.

Then on Army's ensuing series, ULM's Car'lin Vigers forced and recovered a fumble at the Army 45 after the Black Knights secured a first down. It was the opportunity ULM's rejuvenated offense needed.

Isaiah Woullard's 33-yard run to the 12 set up a 9-yard touchdown pass from Herring to Tyrone Howell and ULM suddenly led 17-13 with 2:48 remaining in the game. Howell snared the winning TD with one hand near the back of the end zone to complete the stunning turnaround and reward the fans who stuck around until the end.

ULM free safety AJ Watts intercepted Army quarterback Bryson Dailey with 2:24 showing to put the finishing move on Army. With 29 seconds left, the Black Knights would block ULM's short field goal attempt after the turnover but time expired on Army's last offensive gasp.

"They were a good football team," Bowden said. "I don't think they thought they were going to lose to us. They played to win but thank goodness our guys kept on going."

Quarterback Jiya Wright made the start for ULM and completed 10-of-21 passes for 70 yards with two interceptions before the Warhawks turned to Herring late. The sophomore who played high school ball locally at Ouachita Christian hit 4-of-9 passes for 20 yards, including the game-winning touchdown toss to Howell.

"Obviously, it wasn't pretty in that first half," Herring said. "We just had to keep drives going and keep that momentum going. For me, it was just do what I'm told to do. Don't try to do anything extra and play within the system and we'll be all right. We had a couple of big plays and things started moving for us."

Army managed just six points in four red zone trips while gaining just 283 yards of total offense. The Black Knights lost three fumbles and threw two interceptions.

"The defense was playing well all night, but on offense, we just couldn't click," Bowden said. "We were out of synch and we couldn't make the plays. We just needed a burst and tonight was Hunter Herring's night to come in and he kind of sparked us."

ULM rushed for 209 yards while totaling 299 yards. Including his big run, Smith gained 103 yards on seven carries. Howell caught nine passes for 67 yards.

"I want to shout out our defense," Herring said. "They kept us in this game. The offensive line played their butts off. The running backs made big plays and Tyrone made a big catch. It was a group effort."

The ULM defense played lights out early, giving the Warhawks a chance for heroics later. The Black Knights lost a fumble in the red zone on their initial drive, with Jaylan Ware recovering at the ULM 17.

After an 11-play, 47-yard drive stalled out, Army's Quinn Maretzki missed a 37-yard field goal try as time expired in a scoreless first quarter.

A second-quarter interception by ULM bandit Ja'Terious Evans at the Army 44 set up the game's first score. Derek McCormick kicked a 24-yard field goal with 6:20 remaining in the half to wrap an eight-play, 38-yard drive and the Warhawks led 3-0.

Army took a 7-3 lead with 2:38 left in the half on a 44-yard pick six by cornerback Bo Nicolas-Paul. Wright misfired on a pass intended for Tyrone Howell and Nicolas-Paul was there for the takeaway.

Army's Max DiDomenico intercepted Wright again with 1:28 to go in the second and the Black Knights converted the turnover into a 22-yard Maretzki field goal with two seconds left for a 10-3 advantage at the break.

Making his first ULM start under difficult conditions and attempting to operate with a fast tempo, Wright completed 8-of-17 attempts for 59 yards and two interceptions in the opening half. Wright also netted 29 yards on eight rushes, including a 26-yard dash that helped set up the ULM field goal .

Army emerged from a scoreless third quarter to add another Maretzki field goal with 12:53 remaining in the game. The Black Knights covered 58 yards in nine plays as they moved into scoring position to take a 13-3 lead that loomed large until ULM came to life with Smith's big run.

"I just want to thank the community for coming out," Herring said. "I know last year they struggled to get crowds out, but it's up to us to start winning to get the community back into it. Tonight, they showed up and brought the energy. I couldn't be more excited for this team and this community."

Tail feathers: Former ULM quarterback John Holman served as honorary captain for the game. An L Club Hall of Famer, Holman still ranks in ULM's top five in total offense (third with 7,802 yards), pass completions (fourth 593), pass attempts (fourth 1,201), passing yards (fourth 7,827), pass attempts and TD passes (fifth 51). … Fox Sports broadcaster Tim Brando joined the ULM radio crew in the booth in the fourth quarter. … Governor John Bel Edwards, a 1988 West Point graduate, attended the game. … McCormick's second-quarter field goal was the first of his ULM career. … Braxton Guilbeau unleashed a 59-yard punt downed at the Army 4 with 11:08 left in the third quarter. In his debut as ULM's starting punter, Guilbeau averaged 41.3 yards on six kicks. … ULM met Army for the third time in four seasons, losing 37-7 at West Point to open the 2020 campaign and 48-24 at Michie Stadium in 2022.
 
 
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