On Saturday, UL Monroe's football team demonstrated their resilience and skill, securing a 38-21 victory over Southern Mississippi. The decisive plays came in the fourth quarter, led by quarterback Aidan Armenta, who was instrumental in pulling away from their rivals.
Armenta kicked off the final quarter with a precise 6-yard touchdown pass to Julian Nixon just 51 seconds in, extending the Warhawks' lead to 10 points. The quarterback didn’t stop there; he followed up with a 4-yard touchdown run five minutes later, pushing the score to 31-14. Ahmad Hardy capped off the strong offensive display with a 31-yard touchdown run with just under three minutes left, sealing the win for UL Monroe.
Armenta showcased his versatility throughout the game, completing 10 of 18 passes for 188 yards, including two touchdowns despite throwing one interception. Hardy proved to be a formidable force as well, rushing for 121 yards on 15 carries while also making two receptions for 53 yards.
The Warhawks' defense also made significant contributions. Defensive back Wydett Williams Jr. made a pivotal play by recovering a fumble from Southern Miss’s Kenyon Clay at the Southern Miss 37-yard line. This turnover set up a quick scoring opportunity, and three plays later, Armenta connected with James Jones for a 36-yard touchdown, putting UL Monroe ahead 14-3 early in the game.
Southern Mississippi didn’t back down, however. Connor Gibbs kicked a 37-yard field goal just before halftime, narrowing the gap to 14-6. As the game progressed, Max Larson added a 47-yard field goal for UL Monroe, extending their lead to 17-6. But Southern Miss struck back when Braxton Myers dashed 69 yards for a touchdown, following a blocked field goal attempt, bringing the score to 17-14 after a successful two-point conversion from Ethan Crawford to Tiaquelin Mims.
Crawford struggled with his passing game, finishing with 165 yards on 9-for-26 attempts and one interception. He was effective on the ground as well, carrying the ball 17 times for 70 yards. Clay also managed a late 1-yard touchdown run with just 22 seconds left, but it was not enough to turn the tide.
With this win, UL Monroe improved their record to 5-1 and maintained an impressive 3-0 in the Sun Belt Conference, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting season ahead.
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