“Every game is going to be a war.”
Those were the words from first year Head Coach Bryant Vincent following the ULM Warhawks’ 38-21 homecoming win over Southern Mississippi on Saturday night. The win pushed the ULM record to 5-1 on the season, marking the best start since the 1987 1-AA National Championship season, and the third straight Sun Belt Conference win, matching the 3-0 start in 2017.
ULM and Southern Miss traded three-and-out drives to start the game before the Golden Eagles broke the onto the scoreboard on an eleven play, 59 yard drive that ended with a 22 yard field goal by Connor Gibbs.
The Warhawks would answer on the ensuring drive with a six play, 75 yard drive that saw Ahmad Hardy scamper in for this fifth TD of the season, this one from 34 yards out to give ULM a 7-3 lead as the first quarter ended. Hardy would find the endzone again late in the fourth quarter, this time from 31-yards out for the final ULM score. Luke Stagg connected on his first career kick on the ensuing PAT.
The Warhawks never looked back building a 17-6 lead in the second period thanks to an Aidan Armenta to James Jones connection for a 36 yard score just minutes into the second quarter. Armenta finished the night with 188 yards passing and found Julian Nixon for a six-yard TD pass. Armenta also found the endzone on the ground, running in from four-yards out in the fourth quarter.
Just when the Warhawk looked to have the game under control, Braxton Myers returned a Max Larson field goal attempt 69 yards for a score. Ethan Crawford found Ti Mims for the 2-point conversion, pulling the Eagles within three – 17-14.
Defensively, the Warhawks held Southern Miss to 1-13 on third-down conversions and Wydett Williams recorded his third interception of the season and also posting a fumble recovery. Tristan Shorter recorded the lone solo sack of the night, Kevontay Wells and Jaylan Ware combined for another sack.
ULM now takes their second break of the season before resuming action on October 26 at South Alabama (2-4, 1-1).