Red Wolves top Warhawks

The Warhawks looked to jump out to a fast start in Sun Belt Conference action, standing in their way were the 0-2, 0-1 Red Wolves of Arkansas State. After another standout performance by the ASU quarterback Ryan Aplin, the reigning conference player of the week, the home standing Red Wolves picked up their first win of the season, and left ULM looking to regroup after a 34-20 setback.

"I'm extremely disappointed, we came out Thursday at practice and we didn't have very good defense, and were very lackadaisical, and that showed up today," Todd Berry said following the game. "When you practice like that on Thursday, this is kind of what happens. I didn't talk with them about it until now, because it's my first experience with it in this football team."

Arkansas State jumped out to a quick 21 point lead. Aplin had his hand in two of the first half scores starting with a four yard run, and later hitting Dwayne Frampton for a 34 yard pass. Running back Derek Lawson picked up the other Red Wolf score with a 12 yard run just before the close of the first quarter.

After a strong defensive showing in the season opener at Arkansas, ULM surrendered 293 first half yards of the 474 total yards in the game.

ULM would break onto the scoreboard with 4:59 remaining in the first half with a 33 yard TD reception by Brent Leonard from Kolton Browning, a first in their respective careers. The ensuing PAT was blocked by Timothy Starson and returned by M.D Jennings, but the play was ruled dead after a penalty.

The Warhawk defense would then hold the Red Wolves to a three and out series, taking over on their own 23 yard line following a punt. ULM pieced together a solid drive and looked to cut the lead before the half, but Jennings halted the drive with an interception at the 26 yard line, allowing ASU to go into the half with a 21-6 lead.

Senior quarterback Zach Rhodes capped off the opening drive of the second half with a four yard dive. Browning would connect with Anthony McCall for the two point conversion to again pull ULM to within seven points, 21-14.

Arkansas State would tack on 13 more points in the second half as back-up quarterback Paul Butterfield dove in from one yard and kicker Bobby Zalud connected on a pair of field goals from 37 and 24 yards.

Luther Ambrose hauled in his second TD reception of season, catching it from Browning for 10 yards.

ULM opens the home portion of the 2010 schedule next week, as they host Southland Conference member Southeastern Louisiana. Kick off from Malone Stadium is scheduled for 6pm.