UL Monroe defeats Southern Miss 38-21 with late surge
- Aidan Armenta had a standout performance, throwing for 188 yards and scoring two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
- Southern Mississippi struggled to keep up, with their quarterback Ethan Crawford completing only 9 of 26 passes.
- The victory improved UL Monroe's record to 5-1, solidifying their position in the Sun Belt Conference.
On Saturday, October 12, 2024, in Monroe, Louisiana, UL Monroe secured a 38-21 victory over Southern Mississippi in a Sun Belt Conference matchup. Aidan Armenta played a pivotal role in the win, contributing both a touchdown pass and a touchdown run in the fourth quarter. His 6-yard touchdown pass to Julian Nixon early in the fourth quarter extended UL Monroe's lead to 10 points, followed by a 4-yard touchdown run that further solidified their advantage. Ahmad Hardy capped off the scoring with a 31-yard touchdown run late in the game. Throughout the match, Armenta completed 10 of 18 passes for 188 yards, including two touchdowns and one interception. Hardy was also instrumental, rushing for 121 yards on 15 carries and adding 53 receiving yards. The game saw a series of lead changes, with Southern Miss initially keeping pace, trailing by just three points at halftime after a late field goal. Southern Mississippi struggled offensively, with quarterback Ethan Crawford completing 9 of 26 passes for 165 yards and one interception. Despite a strong performance from Crawford, who also rushed for 70 yards, the Golden Eagles could not maintain momentum against UL Monroe's defense. The Warhawks' ability to capitalize on turnovers and execute in critical moments ultimately led to their decisive victory. This win improved UL Monroe's record to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the conference, showcasing their strong performance in the Sun Belt this season and positioning them as a competitive team in the league.