MALONE STADIUM – As quarterback Kolton Browning’s fourth-down pass attempt fell harmlessly to the ground, the Warhawk faithful knew that their team’s season was over.
The UL-Monroe Warhawks received a heartbreaking 23-22 loss to the Univ. of Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns on Nov. 27 to close out the season.
The loss crushed any possible bowl game aspirations since the school joined the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision in 1994.
“This one is tough to swallow,” ULM head coach Todd Berry said. “I mourn for the seniors. I told them that I have been in the locker room on both sides, one’s where you mourn and one’s where you celebrate.”
Players such as Theo Smith shared Berry’s feelings.
“We’ve been in this situation a few times since I have been here and it hurts,” Smith said. “You try to give it all you have to win and sometimes you just can’t come up with the victory.”
ULM (5-7, 4-4 SBC) played its heart out after jumping to a 13-3 lead to begin the second quarter. A balanced rushing attack ensued as senior Frank Goodin and redshirt freshman Jyruss Edwards combined for 158 of the Warhawks’ 182 rushing yards.
ULL (3-9, 3-5 SBC) used a strong passing game to pull even and eventually take the lead in the third quarter. The Ragin’ Cajuns attacked often by air, with Chris Masson throwing for 330 yards and two touchdowns in the contest. Ladarius Green caught six passes for 120 yards as Masson’s favorite target. The two hooked up with 35 seconds left in the third quarter to give the Cajuns a 23-13 lead.
Showing life in the fourth, the Warhawks responded with two scoring drives to pull within one point behind ULL, but Cooper Gerami blocked Radi Jabour’s extra point attempt to prevent the tie with 4:55 remaining in the game.
ULM cornerback Alex Ibe intercepted the ball on the following Cajun possession, but the Warhawks could not capitalize. However, ULM showed an attitude this season that has outgoing seniors, like Goodin, hopeful about the future. “I think in previous years we haven’t finished, but that isn’t something I can’t say about this year’s team,” Goodin said. “I think the future is bright for ULM and I will follow them for the rest of my life.”
ULM will look to regroup next season as they open up in Tallahassee, Fla. to take on the Florida State Seminoles. The game will award the Warhawks with a $1.3 million paycheck.
