For the first time in the FBS era of ULM football, the Warhawks are 4-1 after Saturday night’s 21-19 win over James Madison. JMU entered the game as 17 point favorites and receiving votes in the AP top-25 poll but the Warhawks used a long scoop and score and a trio of sacks to completement the offensive attack of QB Aidan Armenta (17-30-1, 147 yards, 1TD) and RB Ahmad Hardy (14-82).
JMU (4-1, 0-1) jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the opening quarter headlined by Alonza Barnett III connecting with Yamir Knight for 29 yards advanced the ball deep into Warhawk territory, Barnett scrambled and just evaded the ULM defense in the backfield for a 27 yard score. The drive marked the 10 straight TD drive for the Dukes.
The Duke extended their first quarter lead after an Armenta interception by Jacob Thomas was returned 43 yards deep into the Warhawk side of the field. The ULM defense stood tall though, limiting JMU to a 48 yard Noe Ruelas field goal.
ULM (4-1, 2-0) found the endzone in the second quarter with Hardy finding the south endzone on a six play drive that was extended on a fourth and short Armenta to Rylan Green connection. The score was from 38 yards out, just one yard short of his season long in the opener against Jackson State.
A Warhawks miscue on a JMU punt just before the end of the first half gave the Dukes a short field to extend their lead. Seidrion Langston forced a Barnett fumble that was recovered by Daniel Knudsen and returned 82 yards for the go-ahead score.
The third period saw both sides held scoreless, setting the final scores for each side.
The Warhawks put their final points on the board at the 10:30 mark of the fourth quarter. Armenta connected with Jake Godfrey to cap off an 11 play, 63 yard drive to extend the lead to 21-13. JMU cut the deficit to 21-19 with 4:04 remaining. The two-point attempt failed, giving the final score.
JMU made one more attempt to retake the lead taking over at their own 14 yard with 32 seconds remaining. Barnett advanced to the Duke 35-yardline before one final incomplete pass to allow for the Warhawks to complete the game in victory formation.
ULM will return to the field next week for Homecoming as they host Southern Mississippi (1-4, 0-1) on Saturday, October 12 at 4pm. The Golden Eagles travel to Monroe after playing host to Louisiana-Lafayette, falling 23 – 13.
