With the 21-19 win over James Madison (4-1; 0-1 SBC), ULM (4-1; 2-0 SBC) secured its first 4-1 start to a season since 1993.
This victory continues the Warhawks’ impressive run as they remain undefeated at Malone Stadium. ULM coach Bryant Vincent praised students and the band for their home win.
“I am really proud of our students and bands. Our band played a huge role in this win,” Vincent said. “They were going, and they were loud. They [JMU] had communication issues. When we unite, we can build something special.”
The game started rocky for ULM as the Dukes quickly took a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. James Madison’s quarterback, Alonza Barnett III, ran for 27 yards, putting the Warhawks on their heels early.
In the second quarter, ULM found their momentum. Freshman Ahmad Hardy broke free for a 38-yard run to give the Warhawks their first six points. Specialist Max Larson followed up with a field goal, bringing the score closer.
The game shifted when Junior Daniel Knudsen took advantage of a fumble return. He sprinted 82 yards for a touchdown, marking the longest touchdown for ULM this season.
As the clock ticked to under five seconds, the Dukes nailed a 39-yard field goal, narrowing the score to 14-13.
The Warhawks thought they had another touchdown in the third quarter, but a penalty flag nullified the play.
ULM didn’t want to let go of their advantage. Aidan Armenta’s 12-yard pass to Jake Godfrey capped off ULM’s drive with a touchdown, extending their lead.
An opportunity arose for the Dukes to score, but Barnett’s pass to the end zone ended incomplete, leaving them without a touchdown on the drive. ULM’s defense held strong, preventing James Madison from closing the gap.
“Our defense is tough. They are resilient. They have a snap mentality,” Vincent said. “They live for the moment, and they never let down. That’s how we want our defense to play, and we are going to continue to grow.”
As the time progressed, the Dukes narrowed the gap with a one-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 21-19. In a bid to tie the game, James Madison attempted a two-point conversion, but the effort fell short.
The Warhawks will play Southern Miss on Oct.12 in Malone Stadium.
