ULM Warhawks

MONROE, La. – In the first iteration of the I-20 Showdown since 2000, it was Louisiana Tech (4-2, 2-0 Sun Belt) who came out on top over host ULM (0-6, 0-2 Sun Belt). After a strong defensive battle from both teams in the opening half, the Bulldogs were able to find scores late to come out on top, 24-0. 

The Warhawk defense made a statement in the opening drive, as a sack from Marcus Ross on the second play of the game pushed the Bulldogs back to keep momentum in favor of the Warhawks. Ross ended was seven tackles on the day, three being solos. Armoni Rue then collected his first career interception, picking off Blake Baker as the Warhawks picked up on the ULM24. After Aidan Armenta quickly completed to JP Coulter for a first down, penalties worked against the home team as ULM was forced to punt. The Warhawks collected 11 penalties for 118 yards, the most seen this season, while the Bulldogs recorded four penalties for 37 yards.

After ULM's defense was able to shut down Louisiana Tech's offense again, Hunter Rioux took the 46-yard field goal attempt, but missed to keep the score tied at zero. Multiple penalties forced the punt again for the Warhawks, even with Armenta's completions. The quarterback ended the night throwing 14-of-24 for 119 yards, rushing for 25 yards to lead the team. Another sack against the Bulldogs by Jaeden Calender then forced another punt as the first quarter concluded, neither team finding a score. Calender concluded the game with three tackles to go with his sack.

Another first down for Armenta got the Warhawks in Louisiana Tech territory, but three unsuccessful quarterback keepers then forced the punt, both teams fighting to find the first score. A Billy Pullen sack had the visitors going three-and-out, Pullen adding to the eventual four sacks on the evening and six tackles for loss. Pullen led the team with two TFLs, Kevontay Wells close behind with 1.5. A three-and-out by ULM gave the ball right back to the opposing team. After collecting a first down and entering Warhawk territory, Kaegen Kent took the field goal attempt from 41 yards, but missed to maintain the 0-0 score. Another punt from the Warhawks gave a chance to Louisiana Tech, as Kent took another chance just six minutes later. On the 39-yard attempt, Kent's kick was blocked by Tyrell Brown, the first blocked field goal attempt for ULM since D'Arco Perkins-McAllister in 2025. The blocked kick settled the tied score, both teams remaining scoreless through the first half.

As the second half began, Armenta's opening pass was intercepted by Taeden Rogers, as the Bulldogs took the advantage to find a score. Baker threw for three first downs before Sergio Snider rushed up the middle for the five-yard touchdown and 7-0 lead with 11:56 remaining in the third quarter. As ULM looked to respond, the momentum shifted toward the visitors, as a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry had ULM punting. A slow march downfield between Baker and running back Andrew Burnette created another scoring opportunity for Louisiana Tech. Baker passed the ball two yards into the end zone to Brayden Bockler for the second score of the evening. After completing a first down, Armenta worked to make quick progress. But a handful of incomplete passes had Makenzie Ryan back out to punt. 

The fourth quarter opened with a Bulldog punt, ULM returning the ball to look for a score. Don Chaney saw his first carries of the season as a Warhawk, recording four carries for 12 yards. After Chaney reached a first down, a handful of incomplete passes placed the defense back on the field. Another connection from Baker to Bockler allowed for the 21-0 score with nine minutes on the clock, ULM looking to make a shift. Armenta found three first downs as the team worked to find the red zone. On the Louisiana Tech 20, Armenta's pass was then intercepted by Kam Franklin, who returned it 66 yards. 

While ULM's defense prevented another touchdown, Kent was able to split the uprights with a 21-yard field goal to reach a score of 24. With Austin Carlisle in at quarterback for ULM, a few more first downs brought life to the Warhawk offense. But Carlisle was unable to convert on fourth-and-one, turning the ball over on downs as the Bulldogs obtained possession with just over 90 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs held onto the 24-0 score as the clock expired, claiming victory and a point toward the Radiance Technologies I-20 Showdown.

The Warhawks will be back in action on the road next weekend, traveling to take on Troy on October 24. Kickoff at Veteran Memorial Stadium is slated for 3 p.m. CT.