Troy Drops Sun Belt Opener at ULM

Saturday, September 25

Monroe, La.

7 p.m.

Troy University

2-2 , 0-1

ULM

2-1 , 1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Troy

ULM

9/25/2021 11:59:00 PM | Football

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By: Ken Rogers - TroyTrojans.com

An even game on the stat sheet didn't look that way on the scoreboard when ULM had more big plays on both sides of the ball and defeated Troy, 29-16, in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams Saturday night at Malone Stadium.

A week after ULM snapped its 12-game losing streak with a 12-7 victory over Jackson State, the Warhawks got their second straight victory for first-year head coach Terry Bowden.

Troy outgained ULM 364 yards to 297 and enjoyed a 297-168 advantage through the air, but the Warhawks' defense scored nine points in the fourth quarter after it looked like the Trojans had some momentum.

Mistakes that would resemble a season opener and not a conference opener plagued the visitors throughout. Troy was penalized 10 times for 90 yards. The Trojans had to burn a timeout with personnel issues when the Warhawks were about to punt. And a poor decision to let a punt bounce created poor field position and started a fourth-quarter sequence that prevented any drama late in the game.

"Really disappointed we didn't play better," Troy head coach Chip Lindsey said after the game. "Give Monroe some credit, they did a good job tonight. Obviously, I didn't have our guys ready to play. That's on me. That's my responsibility.

"We've got to get better. Right now, we're shooting ourselves in the foot in a lot of ways. We've got to do some soul-searching, figure out what our identity is going to be. Obviously, the last couple weeks our identity has not been what we thought it is."

Troy (2-1, 0-1 SBC) trailed 20-10 after three quarters and saw that deficit grow with a sloppy start to the fourth. ULM had to punt the ball away to Troy in the first minute. However, the punt fell around the 15-yard line and was downed inside the Troy 5, creating a very long field.

On second down, Troy quarterback Taylor Powell was wrapped up in the end zone and was called for intentional grounding on the play, which resulted in a safety and a 22-10 ULM advantage.
The Trojan defense forced a punt on the next ULM series. Powell drove the Trojans from the 39 to a first-and-goal at the ULM after a 39-yard completion from Powell to Jamontez Woods.

With Troy poised to cut the deficit to one score, Powell threw to Tez Johnson near the left side. Johnson bobbled it as the ball was deflected by ULM's Adam Sparks. The ball bounced away from both players, but the Warhawks' Ja'Cquez Williams caught the ball in stride and covered 96 yards for a stunning pick-six that stretched the lead to 29-10 with 9:40 remaining.

To its credit, Troy put together an 11-play, 80-yard drive and found the end zone when Powell threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Woods with 36 seconds remaining in the game.

ULM recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock.

Powell finished the game 25-for 39 passing for 289 yards, two touchdowns and that momentum-crushing interception.

Rhett Rodriguez, the son of ULM offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez, completed 10-of-16 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. That scoring strike, a 23-yarder to Zach Johnson, was the game's first touchdown and came on ULM's first drive of the game.

The Warhawks (2-1, 1-0 Sun Belt) made it 10-0 on Calum Sutherland's 26-yard field goal about five minutes into the second quarter.

Troy's offense had difficulty getting into rhythm. A fumble recovery by Javon Solomon at the ULM 23 was awarded to the Trojans after replay. That helped set up Brooks Buce's 32-yard field goal that cut the deficit to 10-3 with 1:31 left in the first half.

A big play helped ULM start quickly in the third quarter. Solomon sacked Rodriguez for a 7-yard loss near midfield to bring up third-and-15. The Warhawks got a 14-yard pass play, then on fourth-and-1 running back Andrew Henry cut outside around left end and raced 40 yards to the end zone for a 17-3 lead.

Troy struck back when Powell, who was scrambling, alertly saw an unguarded Luke Whittemore wide open near the right sideline. Whittemore caught the pass and sprinted to the end zone, completing a 49-yard touchdown pass that pulled the Trojans within 17-10 with 8:57 left in the third quarter.

ULM answered again with an eight-play, 60-yard drive that ended with Sutherland's 32-yard field goal and a 20-10 lead at the 5:19 mark of the third.

Troy again struggled to move the ball on the ground consistently. The Trojans finished with 67 rushing yards, although running back Kimani Vidal had 12 carries for 60 yards. Woods rushed twice for 18 yards, including a team-high 15-yard run.

Trojan freshman receiver Jabre Barber had nine catches for 58 yards. Reggie Todd added six receptions for 83 yards. Whittemore had two catches, including the 49-yard TD. Todd had a 29-yard catches, Tez Johnson added a 17-yarder.

There weren't enough big plays to offset an offense that was 5-for 15 on third down on 0-for-1 on fourth down.

Troy concludes its three-game road trip next week at South Carolina.