Despite the final score, it was the defense of the University of Louisiana at Monroe that kept them afloat on Sept. 11 against the No. 14-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks.
ULM (0-1) forced Heisman trophy candidate Ryan Mallett to turn over the ball twice in the first half. Yet Mallett rebounded well, completing 28 of his 43 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns, while also running for a touchdown in a quarterback sneak. The junior quarterback continues to make his case on why he is one of the best collegiate quarterbacks.
Arkansas (2-0) finished a yard shy of gaining 500 yards on offense, as Greg Childs was clearly Mallett’s favorite target following a 12-catch performance for 146 yards and two touchdowns.
The Razorbacks’ defense was equally impressive after putting immense pressure on redshirt freshman Kolton Browning, who made his first start as a collegiate quarterback. His inexperience showed after he went 7-for-17 for 74 yards.
ULM struggled on offense early on. Six of the Warhawks’ seven possessions in the first half ended with a punt. The other left them at their own 46-yard line as time expired in the first half.
Luckily for ULM, Arkansas was just as inconsistent in the first half as the offense sputtered when it crossed the other side of the field. Despite Mallett’s touchdown strike to Childs with 5:48 left in the first quarter, the Razorbacks were 1-for-6 on third down and could not get past ULM’s 40-yard line. The score stood 7-0 at halftime.
The Razorbacks’ offense came to life after halftime, however; and Mallett scored on a quarterback sneak to give them a 14-0 lead. Both teams exchanged fumbles, but after Browning threw an interception with 2:54 left in the third quarter, it marked the beginning of the end for the Warhawks.
Arkansas kicked a field goal after the interception, and on the following drive, Mallett would hook up with Childs again to push the lead to 24-0.
Browning led ULM into a nine-play, 77-yard scoring drive, as Ambrose’s 25-yard reception made the score, 24-7. Mallett then retaliated with one more touchdown – this time to Ronnie Wingo, Jr. – as insurance to give the Razorbacks the 31-7 win.
Although he did not start due to minor injuries, Frank Goodin ran for 44 yards on 12 carries, inching his way toward 839 yards from Calvin Dawson’s school rushing record.
The Warhawks will look to get on the win column on Sept. 18 against the Arkansas State Red Wolves in Jonesboro, Ark. for the Sun Belt opener.
