MONROE, La. – The ULM football team (3-7, 1-5 Sun Belt) played in its final home game of the season, dropping the game against South Alabama (3-7, 2-4 Sun Belt) on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 15). After a strong 14-0 lead, the Jaguars scored 26 points to bounce back in Monroe, 26-14.
 
South Alabama posted 362 total yards to ULM's 154, also seen by South Alabama's 200 rushing yards to ULM's 72. The Jaguars converted four of five fourth down attempts, also going 7-of-15 from third down. The Warhawks were unsuccessful from fourth down. Another sparkplug for the opposing team came in the form of penalties. With eight penalties for 101 yards, ULM found themselves in long yardage scenarios on multiple occasions.
 
"We had some big plays pulled back," said head coach Bryant Vincent. "That's the difference. It's something we have to fix."
 
Aidan Armenta posted 52.6% completion on the day, notching 82 yards. Braylon McReynolds led the offense with his 52 yards off 12 carries and a touchdown. Zach Palmer-Smith also saw ample time at running back, seeing six carries for 15 yards. Julian Nixon led receivers with 31 yards off two receptions, Jonathan Bibbs not far behind with 28 yards off four catches.
 
The ULM defense played lights out, as Jabari Tiller reached 10 tackles plus a tackle for loss. Noah Flemmings also saw a stellar game, recording nine tackles, a tackle for loss and recovering a fumble for a touchdown. Marcus Ross led the team in TFLs with two, posting a sack to go along with six tackles. Jalen Foster also saw action in his second start, registering two pass breakups and six tackles.
 
ULM was able to get off to a hot start, the defense forcing a three-and-out for the early punt. In the first offensive play of the game, McReynolds broke free for the 29-yard touchdown run, allowing the Warhawks to get to a 7-0 lead with 13:08 left in the quarter. This is the first time ULM has scored on their first play of the game since 2013. 
 
While South Alabama's Bishop Davenport tried to even the score, Cliff Mosley notched a tackle for loss to force another punt by Aleksi Pulkkinen. McReynolds and Palmer-Smith both saw time in the backfield, slowly approaching the down markers. But the plays were too short to allow a first down, forcing a punt for ULM.
 
Just as the Jaguars tried to swing the pendulum in their favor, Andre Mack forced a fumble. Noah Flemmings recovered the fumble and reached the endzone for his first career touchdown, placing the home team ahead 14-0 with 5:42 left in the first quarter. It was the first fumble recovered for a touchdown in 2025, last occurring against James Madison last season.
 
While South Alabama was able to capture a first down, the drive still ended in a punt, returning the ball to ULM. The Warhawks saw a holding penalty, the yardage too much to overcome as Makenzie Ryan closed the drive with a punt. The first quarter concluded with the Warhawks ahead by two touchdowns.
 
A horse collar call for the Warhawks opened the second quarter, allowing the Jaguars to reach midfield. Kentrel Bullock anchored the drive for South Alabama, another penalty for the ULM defense moving the offense forward. The Jaguars were able to march ahead to reach the red zone, Bullock scoring on the one-yard rush to make it a one-possession game.
 
Both teams began trading punts in an offensive lull as time ran down in the second quarter. While the Warhawks were able to string together positive yardage, a holding penalty shut down the drive and set up another punt. Time expired before either team found an additional score, with ULM ahead, 14-7.
 
Another punt came for the Warhawks to open the half, as South Alabama went on the hunt for the equalizer. Quarterback Bishop Davenport tossed the ball 48 yards to Anthony Eager to reach the red zone on third and long, bringing life to the opposing team. A 23-yard quarterback keeper brought the Jaguars to the one-yard line. Davenport then kept the ball again for the touchdown rush, bringing up a tie ball game.
 
A pass interference call pushed the Warhawk offense ahead to open the drive, a 10-yard sack by Emmanuel Waller pushing ULM back again. Another penalty in favor of the Jaguars set up the punt and another South Alabama drive. Davenport continued to control the offense, while the Warhawk defense tried to prevent the lead change. Ross was able to sack Davenport for four yards, but that was not enough, as the quarterback keeper gave South Alabama its first lead of the night. The extra point was missed, keeping it a six-point deficit for the Warhawks.
 
McReynolds continued to push ahead for ULM, rushing 17 yards to midfield to bring a spark. The energy quickly switched, however, as another personal foul for ULM set the offense back. A sack by Darius McKenzie had the Warhawks sitting at second-and-28, unable to convert and forcing the punt again. The clock ran down as South Alabama looked to extend the lead, sending the contest to the final quarter. Kentrel Bullock notched his second touchdown of the game to open the fourth quarter, an eight-yard rush. An incomplete pass in the two-point conversion made it a 12-point game, Jaguars ahead 26-14 with 14:36 remaining in the game.
 
As Armenta tried to get the Warhawks back in the game with a 27-yard pass to Jonathan Bibbs, his following throw was intercepted in the end zone. Steady gains had the Jaguars back in the driver's seat, Keenan Phillips controlling the drive. Ameyr Adams and Kelbee Holmes were able to get involved with a tackle for loss, shutting down the drive and forcing the punt. Armenta sought out Julian Nixon with a 20-yard target, but three incomplete passes had the Warhawks turning the ball over on downs with 4:14 left in the game. South Alabama continued to run the clock down, closing out the game with a 26-14 score.
 
"We're not going to get down," said Vincent. "This is the long haul. We're better than that, and we've got to show it. We're not done. We've just got to improve our execution."
 
The Warhawks will be on the road for the final two weeks of the regular season, first facing the Texas State Bobcats on Saturday (Nov. 22). Kickoff in San Marcos is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT.