MONROE, La. – The ULM football team (1-7, 1-3 Sun Belt) fell in a 35-21 contest to Southern Miss (3-5, 2-2 Sun Belt) in what ended up being a thwarted comeback from the Warhawks. The Golden Eagles logged five sacks on the way to a two-score edge. While ULM was able to convert seven of 16 attempts on third down, turning the ball over on downs three times had the team missing chances to score.
After gaining possession to open the contest, the Warhawks created a steady drive of rushes from
Don Chaney and
Aidan Armenta. Chaney saw ample time with 54 yards off 10 carries on the day as the leading rusher for ULM. Armenta rushed for eight yards to pair with his 202 passing yards, breaking 200 yards for the third time this season. The starting quarterback completed 19 of 34 passes with two touchdowns and no interceptions, also rushing into the end zone.
While a slow march downfield got the Warhawks into the red zone in the opening drive, a fumble was recovered by USM's Malakai Murphy to change possession. Southern Miss followed the ULM lead with short gains to reach Warhawk territory. But a fourth down with four to go brought an incomplete pass from Landry Lyddy to turn the ball over on downs. Both teams traded punts as the first quarter came to a close, both teams tied without a score.
The Golden Eagles continued their drive as the second quarter began, a 33-yard rush from Steven Robinson breaking the scoring open. Down a touchdown, the Warhawks looked to answer, but were forced to attempt the 42-yard field goal.
Abram Murray's attempt was wide, as ULM remained without a score.
James Smith and
Noah Flemmings combined for a sack of Lyddy to force the third-and-long, the lone sack of the game for the Warhawks. Flemmings led the Warhawks through another game on defense, with 10 tackles, 1.5 TFLs and a pass breakup. Smith tied his 2023 career high of six tackles.
Punts were traded yet again, but a fumbled return from
Nic Trujillo handed the ball back to Southern Miss with a minute remaining in the half. The Golden Eagles reached ULM territory, landing the 36-yard field goal for the 10-0 advantage at the half. Southern Miss earned possession back in the third quarter, as the Warhawk defense forced a punt.
ULM then took charge on offense with an 11-second drive from Armenta to find a score. Armenta launched the ball to
Marcellus Jackson for 83 yards and a touchdown, the longest play of the season. The last 80+-yard pass for a ULM player came in 2022, the score cutting the deficit to three.
Southern Miss returned the favor on its next drive, however, as a 42-yard rush from Robinson primed the Golden Eagles to enter opponent territory. A 21-yard rush from Jamarice Wilder gave USM its second touchdown of the game to bring the edge back to 10. A punt return from Kaden Saunders got the Golden Eagles back to Warhawk territory, Lyddy's 21-yard pass to Grant Page securing another touchdown for the 24-7 lead. After ULM turned the ball over on downs, the Golden Eagles were able to tack on a field goal for the 20-point advantage entering the fourth quarter.
Opening with possession, rushes from Armenta and Chaney, along with multiple penalties from the defense, placed ULM in good position. Armenta kept the ball for the rushing touchdown, closing the gap. Southern Miss accepted nine penalties for 87 yards, as the Warhawks accepted five for 46. After forcing a three-and-out, ULM got possession back, additional penalties continuing to give the home team an advantage. With a fresh set of downs on the five-yard-line, Armenta inched closer and got the ball to Trujillo, who scored a third touchdown for the Warhawks.
Now a one-score game, ULM's defense was able to get the stop and force a punt from the visitors. With just three-and-a-half minutes on the clock, the Warhawks looked to swing the pendulum in their favor. But the home team used all four downs in the attempt to score, turning the ball over on downs. Southern Miss picked up on the ULM36, a 32-yard rush from Wilder scoring the final touchdown from the Golden Eagles to make it a two-score game. The two-point conversion was successful as the visitors walked away with the victory.
ULM will hit the road to face Arkansas State in Jonesboro on November 7. Kickoff against the Red Wolves is slated for 2 p.m.
