Southern Miss vs. ULM Short Report | Oct 12, 2024

In a thrilling Sun Belt Conference matchup, the UL Monroe Warhawks (5-1, 3-0 Sun Belt) continued their impressive season with a 38-21 triumph over Southern Miss (1-5, 0-2 Sun Belt), propelled by standout performances from Aidan Armenta and Ahmad Hardy. Southern Miss initially led with a field goal, but UL Monroe swiftly claimed the advantage when Hardy broke free for a 34-yard rushing touchdown as the first quarter clock expired. The scoring momentum continued in the second quarter, with Aidan Armenta finding James Jones for a 36-yard touchdown reception, giving the Warhawks a 14-6 halftime lead.

Southern Miss threatened a rally in the third quarter with a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown by Braxton Myers, narrowing the gap to 17-14. However, UL Monroe regrouped and unleashed a powerful fourth quarter, scoring 21 unanswered points through key plays from Armenta and Hardy. Hardy added another impressive 31-yard rushing touchdown, while Armenta completed a tight 6-yard touchdown pass to Julian Nixon and rushed for a 4-yard touchdown. Defensively, the Warhawks stifled Southern Miss's efforts, highlighted by Wydett Williams Jr.'s game-sealing interception with less than five minutes remaining. Before a crowd of 22,645, the highest attendance at Malone Stadium in five seasons, UL Monroe celebrated its fourth consecutive home victory this season.