NCFD sees Warhawks fall in double OT

With the Warhawks having already defeated the defending Sun Belt Conference champion Troy last week, ULM fans were beginning to think this was the season that would see their team in the post season. Standing in their way was their final conference road game, traveling to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. to take on the FIU Panthers. ULM had lost only to them once in the short lived series, in 2005 when now ULM Head Coach Todd Berry was offensive coordinator for the Warhawks.

History repeated itself on Saturday night as FIU (3-5, 3-1) picked up a double overtime win 42-35. The ULM (4-5, 3-3) loss was the team's first ever loss in overtime.

Both sides traded scores in the first extra session, as ULM quarterback Kolton Browning connected with Anthony McCall for a four yard score. FIU would answer on their first possession as TY Hilton scored from 25 yards out on a reverse, tying the game at 35.

Darriet Perry capped off a 112 yard rushing performance with a 17 yard score to seal the homecoming win for FIU.

The Panthers got out to a fast start as Hilton returned the opening kick off to the FIU 43 yard line; just four plays later quarterback Wes Carroll hit Greg Ellington for an 18 yard touchdown.

ULM answered though, as they cap off a nine play, 67 yard drive that ends with senior running back Frank Goodin diving in from two yards out to even the score at seven. The score moved Goodin into fifth place on the career scoring list with 162 point. The score was setup by a long 22 yard McCall reception to the two yard line.

The tie game wouldn't last long as Hilton would strike for a 95 yard kickoff return, giving FIU a 14-7 lead.

ULM kept plugging away offensively adding a career long 42yard field goal by junior Radi Jabour for their final first half score.

Hilton would once again score for FIU as Carroll connected with him for a 20 yard score to close out the first half with the Panthers leading 21-10. Hilton ended the night with four catches for 95 yards.

"We just need to settle down and play," Berry said in a half-time interview.

The Warhawks did just that as they took the opening kickoff down the field on a nine play, 80 yard drive that saw Browning connect with Tavarese Maye for a 26 yard score as they rattled off 10 unanswered points to pull to within one point, 21-20.

Hilton's second receiving touchdown extended the Panther lead to eight points early in the fourth quarter.

Browning would take over the offensive duties for the Warhawks in the fourth quarter as he would tie the game with a 17 yard strike to Brent Leonard for the score and the two point conversion. Browning continued his string of 200+ yard game, running the streak to eight with 337 yards.

FIU looked to have the game won with a late field goal, but instead opted for a second down pass that was intercepted by Ken Dorsey. Dorsey rumbled down field, returning the ball 51 yards to the FIU 36. The Warhawks though would answer with an interception of their own, as Browning was intercepted at the FIU 30, setting up overtime.

ULM will now travel to Baton Rouge, La. for a Saturday night kick off in Tiger Stadium. Kick off is scheduled for 6pm for the final road contest of the 2010 season.