On an early afternoon game, the Warhawks were amped up for their conference battle against Appalachian State.

ULM scored the go-ahead touchdown with 23 seconds left in the game on a pass from sophomore quarterback Caleb Evans to sophomore receiver RJ Turner.

The touchdown sealed the game 52-45.

RJ Turner had a career-high 134 yards on six receptions with two touchdowns.

“We played hard and competed against a good football team,” said head coach Matt Viator.

“I’m really happy for our players to finish this up-and-down game.” On the Warhawks’ first possession, they stalled on a seven-play drive.

The Warhawks scored on their second possession of the game on a pass from Caleb Evans to RJ turner to take an early 7-0 lead.

On the ensuing possession, the Warhawks forced a turnover on a fumble recovery by junior linebacker David Griffith.

ULM capitalized on the turnover by scoring on its first play with a touchdown pass from Evans to junior wide receiver Marcus Green to take a 14-0 lead with five minutes left in the first quarter.

App State looked out of sync early as they looked to cut into the 14-point deficit.

Their offense looked lost and flat on their first two possessions.

“At halftime, I told the defense to finish. This game is far from over; we have to complete this game and steal a win,” said senior safety Roland Jenkins.

After a field goal by the Mountaineers, the Warhawks took the ensuing kickoff to the house by Marcus Green.

That was Green’s third kickoff return for a touchdown in the season.

The score with 14 minutes left in the half was 21-3 with ULM taking all the momentum.

App State woke up from their offensive struggles, finishing an eight-play, 75-yard drive to cut into the lead.

ULM, with 10 minutes left in the second quarter, led 21-10.

The Mountaineers struck again on a five-play, 80-yard drive to make the score 21-17.

The Warhawks led an efficient touchdown drive on a seven-yard quarterback draw from Caleb Evans to put the team up 28-17 with a minute left in the first half of play.

After the ensuing kickoff, the Mountaineers showed that the game was far from over by scoring a 75-yard touchdown pass to make the score 28-24.

ULM looked to score before the half but turned the ball over on an interception.

After an action-packed first half, the Warhawks led 28-24, but App State had the momentum going forward.

“I’m just thankful to be healthy and to be able to help the team win,” said RJ Turner, who had his best game of the season.

In the second half, the Mountaineers took a three-point lead on an eight-play, 75-yard drive.

After forcing a turnover on downs, the Warhawks capitalized with another touchdown run by Caleb Evans to retake the lead 35-31.

After a back-and-forth scoring affair, the game was tied at 38 with 10 minutes left in the game.

The Warhawks battled through the fourth quarter and sealed the game on a late touchdown to beat the Mountaineers.

The next game for the Warhawks will be against no. 14 Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.

Kickoff time is set to be announced later this week.